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Germany Surrenders
Germany signs an unconditional surrender. -
Liberation of Prague
The Red Army enters Prague and liberates it from the German occupation. -
Return of the Government
President Beneš and his government return to Prague after seven years in exile. -
End of WWII
Japan surrenders, officially ending World War II. -
KSČ and Gottwald Win
The Communist Party of Czechoslovakia (KSČ) wins the elections and Klement Gottwald becomes Prime Minister, while Beneš remains President. -
Polish Workers United Party Win
Rigged parliamentary elections, which followed years of manipulation of the judiciary and electoral system, result in the win of the Polish Workers United Party. -
No to the Marshall Plan
The Czechoslovak government announces their plans to reverse their decision to participate in the Marshall Plan because of Soviet pressure. -
Communist Party Win in Hungary
Despite losing the general election, the Communist Party falsifies the results and assumes power in Hungary regardless. -
Ministers Resign
Twelve non-communist Czechoslovak ministers, including Jan Masarýk, resign in the hopes that the government paralysis would force Gottwald and other communists to resign too. -
New Czechoslovak Government
Beneš allows the formation of a new government in accordance with the KSČ’s demands. -
Jan Masarýk's Death
Jan Masarýk is found dead at the Foreign Ministry. -
May-9th Constitution
Beneš refuses to sign the new Consitution that proposed to refer to the country as a “people's republic”. -
Beneš Leaves
Beneš finally resigns as President. -
Gottwald Rises to Power
Gottwald officially becomes Beneš’s successor, after being elected President in the elections of May 30. -
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Show Trials
Stalinists strat persecuting and holding show trials against those deemed enemies of the State, resulting in the execution of around 180 politicians. -
Milada Horáková's Death
Milada Horáková, a former member of the National Assembly and open opposer of the Communist regime, was executed after being sentenced to death in a show trial alongside several other politicians. -
Klement Gottwald's Death
Gottwald dies shortly after Stalin and is succeeded by Antonín Zápotocký. -
Period: to
Plzeň Uprising
Workers in the Czechoslovak city of Plzeň (liberated by the US American troops in WWII) revolted in violent protest. -
No More Show Trials
The government implements administrative sanctions that stop the practice of show trials. -
Warsaw Pact
Creation of the Warsaw Pact, the collective defense treaty that served as the Eastern Bloc and Soviet alternative to NATO. -
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Hungarian Revolution
A countrywide revolution ignited by university students against the Communist regime, known as the Hungarian Uprising.