Prague - Wenceslas Square - February 1948 - people

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 : Klement Gottwald speaks to 130 000 farmers and farm workers who came to Prague to express their support for the putsch. CTK Vintage Photo

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

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