feb 25, 1948 - Communist takeover in Czechoslovakia (1948)

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#1 Communist takeover in Czechoslovakia (1948) - Ellen A

On February 25, 1948, the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia (KSC# seized control of their own government in a nearly bloodless rebel. This forced President Edvard Beneš to accept a communist cabinet. The communist, led by Klement Gottwalk, had already gained significant power after World War II, but “ moderate elements in the Czech government raised the possibility of the nation’s participation in the U.S. Marshall Plan” the communists saw it as a threat, and took action (History.com) They organized massive strikes, took over law enforcement and ensured that “when 12 non-communist cabinet members resigned in protest, Beneš had no choice but to accept a government controlled by the KSČ” (Study.com). By May, rigged elections secured communist rule and soon after, Jan Masaryk - a leading democratic politician, was found dead under “Suspicious” circumstances. This event known as “Victorious February” was the beginning of Czechoslovakia’s transformation into a communist dictatorship. Lastly this coup was also a turning point in the Cold War, because it “Helped speed up Western Military and political agreements, leading to the formation of NATO”(History.com).

"Communists take power in Czechoslovakia." History.com, A&E Television Networks, https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/communists-take-power-in-czechoslovakia.

"Communists Take Power in Czechoslovakia." Study.com, https://study.com/academy/lesson/communists-take-power-in-czechoslovakia.html.

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