On This Day in 1948: Communists Seize Power in Czechoslovakia

Exactly 77 years ago, on 25 February 1948, the Communists seized power in post-war Czechoslovakia. This marked the beginning of more than four decades of hard-line communist rule, brought to an end by the Velvet Revolution in 1989.

Czechoslovak Communist leader Klement Gottwald, on that fateful day in 1948, announced in Prague’s Old Town Square that the president had accepted the resignations of several non-communist ministers.

While the transition to a totalitarian system did not happen overnight, this event symbolized the beginning of one-party rule.

The Communist Coup of 1948

After World War II, Czechoslovakia looked favorably on the Russians, who had liberated them. By 1946, Communists were well-represented in the Czechoslovak government.

In 1947, however, Czechoslovakia wanted to obtain Marshall Aid from the USA, but it was not possible due to USSR intervention. This was only one of many issues that set off criticism of the Communist Party. Communists reacted ruthlessly.

The democratic ministers were soon fed up with the Communists’ abuse of the police organ and security forces. They demanded that the Party cease its political attacks. But the Communists would not give in. The 12 non-Communist ministers resigned, predicting that democratic President Edvard Benes would be able to form a new government that would exclude the Communist Party.

Unfortunately, that’s not what happened. Violent Communist-led demonstrations erupted. The Army was the only force that could stop the Communists, but it was run by Communist General Ludvik Svoboda.

President Benes was afraid the Soviets would intervene or that a civil war would start, so he did not try to convince non-Communists to take action. Students demonstrating in the name of democracy were beaten on Prague’s Nerudova Street.

Then-Prime Minister Klement Gottwald threatened that there would be a general strike and told Benes that reactionaries would be punished if he did not sign the Communists’ proposal for a new totalitarian government. Benes signed.

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