Challenges to Soviet Control From 1945-1980
(Depth Study 3: International History, 1945-1991)
(Cambridge International AS and A level History 9389)
Challenge of Yugoslavia
Yugoslavs organised successful resistance against Germany in WW2 + liberated country
1945.
Marshall Tito (resistance leaders) elected leader new republic 1945. Tito popular as stopped
Germans, made Communism popular, not because of USSR influence. Tito wanted free
trade West + USSR. Yugoslavs unhappy Stalin's lack support formation Balkan Federation.
Max tension 1948. Stalin expelled Yugoslavia from Cominform + cut off economic aid. Failed
topple Tito as continued without USSR support. Regime maintained Comm, involved trade
with W + aid from International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Why did Tito Survive?
Resistance against Nazis WW2 made pop leader, didn't depend USSR support keep power.
Gov not installed by Red Army as left 1944. Received US mili + econ aid from US in 1950.
Enabled him maintain independence from USSR.
Stalin's reaction to Tito?
Stalin failed remove Tito, took revenge by carrying purge trials in E. Europe on ‘Titoists’.
Using fabricated charges, leaders like Hungarian foreign minister Laszlo Rajk, demoted,
tried, imprisoned, executed in late 1940s.
Got rid of open Tito sympathisers, secret ones remained. Repressive nature regimes in
satellite states meant USSR rule resented by ordinary people, never achieved pop support.
From 1945 onwards more challenges: E. Germany 1953, Poland + Hungary 1956,
Czechoslovakia 1968, Poland 1980s.
Challenge East Germany, 1953
Relaxation controls + continuing repression helped cause E. German riots 1953. EG facing
crisis at time as mass exodus E. Germans to West through Berlin. Beria (Deputy USSR P.
Minister) suggested get rid unstable + expensive GDR by selling to West. Didn't occur,
, colleagues believed possible towards unified Socialist Germany. Walter Ulbricht (EG leader)
forced USSR gov take conciliatory approach in policy forced collectivisation farms +
socialization. Softer approach too late + no attempt reduce high production targets, set for
the workers. Created dangerous situation + 16-17 June, Berlin workers + elsewhere EG Rose
up in revolt. Was first time anything like this happened in USSR sphere influence, Uprising
suppressed by Red Army troops. Revolt embarrassing for USSR. Beria arrested + executed
being Western agent. Idea of friendly neutral Germany abandoned. Repression continued
and Ulbricht + Khrushchev concentrate building up GDR as separate state.
US felt had do something help EGs. Called for 4-power foreign ministers’ conference
discuss future Germany, continued provocative broadcasts from radio stations W. Berlin
try prolong unrest EG.
Challenges USSR Control Under Khrushchev
Khrushchev + de-Stalinisation
1956, at 20th Congress of Comm Party, he Proclaimed policy de-Stalinisation. For time
strengthened position at home, weakened authority over Comm elsewhere. Had use more
force than Stalin ever done to keep control Hungary.
1956, Khrushchev gave speech to Twentieth Congress Comm Party, denounced Stalin.
Criticised Stalin's regime, his crimes + ‘cult personality’. Comms not used mistakes
admitted on such large scale.
Khrushchev + Tito
Khrushchev said Stalin made major error with Tito in Yugoslavia. Argued Stalin understood
Tito, Yugoslavia never break away. Restored relations with Tito as visited 1955 + 1956. Tito
maintained Non-Aligned status with USSR.
Khrushchev + Poland
He not intend revise USSR's relations other satellite states. Many satellite states saw
Khrushchev approach Yugoslavia as sign he accept find own way with Comm.
End June 1956 Poland, industrial Poznan workers revolted. Gomulka brought back as First
Secretary (without approval Khrushchev) + implemented rapid de-Stalinisation programme.
Oct 1956, Khrushchev went Warsaw + USSR mili forces positioned. Gomulka refused
