Cominform, 1947 & Comecon, 1949 (Edexcel GCSE History)

How did the Soviet Union Combat the Truman Doctrine & the Marshall Plan? - Summary

President Truman believed that richer countries would find it easier to resist communism. Therefore, the Marshall Plan was created to provide countries across Europe with economic aid.

The Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan angered the Soviet Union. Stalin believed that the USA had deliberately split Europe in two and that it was clear the USA was trying to spread capitalism.

Stalin created two new organisations to maintain greater control over the communist countries of Eastern Europe.

In 1947, Cominform was established to ensure that members retained their communist governments and removed any opposition. Members were also discouraged from communicating with Western countries.

In 1949, Comecon was Stalin’s attempt at deterring countries away from Marshall Aid. Members were encouraged to trade with each other and introduce communist policies like collectivisation of land and nationalisation of industries.

What was Cominform?

• Stalin was concerned about the threat to communism caused by the Marshall Plan

• Cominform was set up on 22nd September 1947 in response to the Marshall Plan

• It allowed Stalin to direct and control the governments of the satellite states as well as the communist parties of other countries in Europe

• Yugoslavia was removed from Cominform in 1948 after growing tensions with the Soviet Union

What was Cominform?

What was Comecon?

• Stalin did not allow communist states to accept Marshall Aid 

• However, it was clear these states needed financial aid to ensure they remained communist

• Comecon was set up on 25th January 1949 in response to the Marshall Plan

• It allowed Stalin to provide an alternative to the Marshall Plan and improve the economies of the satellite states

  • Bulgaria’s trade with other Comecon members increased from 10% in 1931 to 90% by 1951

  • In line with communist beliefs, each member nationalised their industries and collectivised their agriculture

What was Comecon?

The USA’s Response to Cominform and Comecon

• Stalin created Cominform and Comecon in response to the Marshall Plan

• This increased the tension between the capitalist West and communist East because each country had accepted support from either the USA or the Soviet Union:

Increased tensions between the West and East

• In 1949, a new military alliance called the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) was created by the USA, partly in response to Cominform and Comecon