Cause and Consequences of Split Between Yugoslavia and the Soviet Union

1245 Words3 Pages

The Split between Yugoslavia and the Soviet Union in 1948 occurred due to a conflict of interest between Josip Broz Tito and Joseph Stalin, the respective leaders of the Nations. Through this essay my aim is to highlight the causes of the dispute and then discuss the consequences of the split for both the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the Soviet Union.

The period of 1948-1955 was known as the Informbiro and the distinguishing features of this period were conflict and schism between Yugolslavia and the Soviet Union. The main causes for the Split were the implementation of the Cominform, Yugoslav role in the civil war in Greece, and the personalities of the leaders. Tito’s popularity and political position were both strengthened by his role in the liberation of Yugoslavia in World War II and also his survival of Stalin’s 1930s purges. This in turn led to the Partizan leader believing that he would be granted more political freedom in comparison to other eastern bloc states who had relied on Soviet assistance in the war. This did not prove to be the case due to the establishment of the Cominform (Communist Information Bureau) in September 1947, which held the main aim of securing and ensuring faithfulness of the Satellite States. Belgrade was chosen as the permanent seat of its Secretarist and Yugoslav delegates Kardelj and Djilas were urged to play a significant role. However it very quickly became clear that the Communist Party of Yugoslavia (CPY) would be subordinate to the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. This soon became one of the main causes of the split as Stalin was so engrossed with ensuring conformity, uniformity, radicalisation and imitation of the USSR, that the Soviet Union began to impose itself in...

... middle of paper ...

...o see that the split between Yugoslavia and the Soviet Union was caused due to the personalities of both Tito and Stalin. Both seamed reluctant to allow the other to make the decisions. Tito was gained great confidence from the Partizan victory in the war and believed he would be granted significant political freedom. However it became apparent that Stalin simply wanted Tito to act as a puppet and follow commands. Tito did do that to an extent and was very loyal to Stalin and the Soviet Union, however the disagreements over the Cominform, Marshall Plan and also the Yugoslav involvement led to the Split and by 1949 the Soviet Union denounced their treaties of friendship with Yugoslavia. As mentioned initially the consequences of the split were dramatic and Yugoslavia had to rely on western aid before implementing Self-management which was by most accounts a success.

Open Document