When and why was Cominform set up?
22nd September 1947, in response to the Truman Doctrine.
What were the aims of Cominform for the USSR?
Keep political control of Eastern Europe
Encourage members to block Marshall Aid and trade with each other
Discourage contacts with non-communists
Who were the members of Cominform?
Eastern European communist parties
How did Cominform give Stalin significant control over Satellite States?
Moscow directed policies.
When was Comecon formed?
25th January 1949
What was Comecon?
Stalin’s alternative to Marshall plan, improving economies of satellite states
What were the aims of Comecon?
Keep economic control of Eastern Europe.
Build up trade links between members, discouraging trade with west.
What were the effects of Comecon?
Each member nationalised their industries and collectivised their agriculture.
Coordinated industrial + econ planning
Consequences of Comecon and Cominform
Increase in tension, contributed to formation of Nato and Warsaw Pact
