Czechoslovak Socialist Republic (1948–1990)

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Czechoslovak Socialist Republic
Československá socialistická republika
1948–1990
Flag of Czechoslovak Socialist Republic
Flag
Coat of arms of Czechoslovak Socialist Republic
Coat of arms
Location of Czechoslovak Socialist Republic
Capital
and largest city
Prague
Official languagesCzech
Slovak
Dominant mode of productionSocialism
Area
• Total
127,900 km²
Population
• 1990 estimate
15,600,000

The Czechoslovak Socialist Republic was a socialist country in Eastern Europe and a member of the Warsaw Pact.

History

Revolution

After the Second World War, Edvard Beneš formed a bourgeois coalition government that included KSČ members in the cabinet. Stalin supported a coalition government in order to avoid angering the West, but John J. McCloy met with Czechoslovak officials and planned to make Czechoslovakia part of the Marshall Plan, which would put it under U.S. control. In February 1948, the workers' militia and trade unions overthrew Beneš with popular support and created a socialist state.[1]

1968 counterrevolution attempt

See main article: Prague Spring

Economy

In 1967, industrial production in Czechoslovakia was five times higher than before the Second World War. Industry grew the fastest in Slovakia, where it increased by 13 times and rose to 20% of the country's total production from only 7% before the war. Czechoslovakia produced more steel per capita than the USA or UK and more electricity per capita than France.[2]

Foreign relations

In the 1960s, Czechoslovakia sent aid to Cuba, Egypt, Korea, Tanzania, and Vietnam.[3]

References

  1. Sam Marcy (1968). Czechoslovakia 1968: The Class Character of the Events: 'Postscript'. [MIA]
  2. Herbert Aptheker (1969). Czechoslovakia and Counter-Revolution: 'Socialism's Accomplishments' (p. 18). New York City: New Outlook Publishers.
  3. Sam Marcy (1968). Czechoslovakia 1968: The Class Character of the Events: 'Before the Warsaw Pact intervention'. [MIA]