Limited democracy Czechoslovakia in the years 19451948

Jan Kuklík

International situation

Czechoslovakia in the Soviet sphere of influence

Alliance with the Soviet UnionFriendship with USA, Great BritainSpecial relations with FranceGerman dangerMunich syndrom

„Transfer“ of German population

„Wild“ expulsion of GermansNational state of Czechs and Slovaks as

Slavonic nationsLegal position of minoritiesConfiscation of propertyQuestion of citizenshipInternational Control over transferDifferrent position of Hungarians

Post war political system

Political parties and National frontOnly 6 political parties allowedUnited Trade UnionsMass organization under communist

controlLimited civic rights and liberitesDifferencies between Czech lands and

Slovakia

Internal situation

Communist strategy National front but to play a leading role Limited democracy – peoples democracy Governmental programme – background for national

and socialist revolution Economic, social and political changes Postwar policy – first step to seize political power Use mostly political not violent measures „Czechoslovak“ role to socialism

Strategy of Democratic parties

Cooperation with Communist as tactic to delay the revolutionary changes

Orientation towards the West but also Alliance with USSR

Wait for parliamentary electionsWait for change of

Position of Slovakia

AutonomySlovak national councilSlovak national frontSlovak Communist PartySlovak Democratic PartyDifferent situation in politics, economyPolitical Trials (Tiso and others)Role of Catholic Church

Changes in Economy

ConfiscationsNationalizationEconomy PlanningPostwar recontructionLand reformObligation to workTransfer of population as an economic

loss

Post war elections in 1946

Victory of Communist party in Czech lands (more than 40 percent of votes)

Victory of Democratic Party in SlovakiaCooperation between Communist and

Social Democtratic PartiesNew Government headed by Klement

GottwaldTwo Years Plan

International developments

Was there a lack of interest of Western democracies in Czechoslovakia?

Soviet strategy towards CzechoslovakiaRefusal of Marshall Plan

Internal develpoments

Communist preparations to seize powerRole of Edvard BenešHome road to socialism or simple

duplication of Soviet modelRole of inteligentsiaRole of University students

February 1948

Constitutional change or coup d´etat„Strategy“ of democratic forcesVictory of communist tacticsCollaboration Support for the new regimeFirst round of purgesWhat is people´s democracy? –

Dictatorship of working class