National Security Corps march at Old Town Square

Czechoslovakia, after the Communist putsch in February 1948 democracy vanished and a totalitarian system lasting more than 40 years was established. Communist Party of Czechoslovakia unleashed a terror campaign against the would be reactionaries and brought fear to the general population. It illegaly established armed workers militia, later renamed Peoples Militia. On the 25th of February Klement Gottwald announced on Wenceslas Square that President Edvard Benes, under enormous pressure fom the Communists, accepted the resignation. Gottwald also announced the members of the new government. And years of darkness and uncertainity followed. Photo: National Security Corps, the right hand of the Communist Party, march at Old Town Square. CTK Vintage Photo

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Accepted Announced Benes Bezpecnosti Communists Edvard Enormous Established Followed Gottwald Illegaly Klement Lasting Militia Narodni Pressure Putsch Reactionaries Renamed Resignation Sbor Totalitarian Uncertainity Unleashed Vanished Wenceslas

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