Prague during turbulent 1948 putsch - window display

Czechoslovakia. After Communist putsch in February 1948 democracy in this country vanished and a totalitarian system lasting over 40 years was established. Five year economy plans which were concepted according to Soviet model proved to be inefficient and the Communist Party illegaly founded armed workers militia (later Peoples Militia) to inflict fear and terror into the general population. Thousands of unwanted people were sent to labor camps where many perished. Monsterous trials sent citizens and later even Communist Party members to death. Photo: Czechoslovak press tried to portray the turbulent time as calm and normal, and showed photographs of citizens looking into store windows. CTK Vintage Photo

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According Calm Concepted Established Illegaly Inefficient Inflict Lasting Militia Monsterous Normal Perished Portray Proved Putsch Showed Takeover Totalitarian Tried Turbulent Unwanted Vanished

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