Syllabus Edition
First teaching 2024
First exams 2026
Cominform, 1947 & Comecon, 1949 (Edexcel GCSE History)
Revision Note
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 the collectivisation of land and the 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
Aims and membership of 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
Aims and membership of Comecon
Exam Tip
Students often mix up Comecon and Cominform because they sound similar. To help with this, remember that Comecon has 'econ' in the word. This should remind you that Comecon focused on the economy.
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
How did Marshall Aid, Cominform and Comecon increase US-Soviet tensions?
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
Worked Example
Explain one consequence of the creation of Cominform and Comecon
4 marks
Answer:
One consequence of Cominform and Comecon is the increased tension between East and West. Cominform and Comecon unified the Soviet Union with Eastern European countries' economies and politics. This caused the East to become further isolated from the West. Eastern Europe lost the limited amount of independence that they had. They had to follow the Soviet Union's economic and political visions. As a result, Cominform and Comecon caused more tension and suspicion between the communist Soviet Union and the capitalist USA.
Exam Tip
In this example, you can see the development of wider knowledge of the period. The example has linked Comecon and Cominform with the lack of freedom in Eastern Europe. The understanding of what life was like in the satellite states of Eastern Europe is significant to understanding why Comecon and Cominform increased tensions between the USA and the Soviet Union.
This question has previously asked you to explain two consequences. In the Superpower Relations exam paper for 2025, this question will ask you to explain one consequence. However, there will be two different "Explain one consequence of" questions, each worth four marks.
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