ABSTRACT
Here is an essential short guide to the history of Eastern Europe under the early decades of communist rule. The study explores the communists attempt to transpose a uniform economic and social system across the region copied from the Soviet model. Dr Fowkes shows how this did not always succeed and he reveals the local variations which became more pronounced after the death of Stalin. The book includes detailed analysis of the dramatic events in Poland and Hungary and in the assessment section there is a useful summary of the strengths and weaknesses of the communist model in its heyday.
It is an illuminating study, full of maps and photographs as well as over 30 documents (most previously unavailable in English) which brings this complex subject alive. and helps us to understand the special conditions the people of the region have faced in catching up with the West both in terms of material prosperity and more recently in the establishment of democratic political systems.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
part One|13 pages
Introduction
chapter Chapter One|11 pages
General Background
part Two|67 pages
Analysis
chapter Chapter Two|16 pages
The Seizure of Power
chapter Chapter Three|8 pages
The Imposition of the Stalinist System
chapter Chapter Four|15 pages
Stalin's System at its Height
chapter Chapter Five|8 pages
De-Stalinization and the Critical Year of 1956
chapter Chapter Six|18 pages
A Decade of Consolidation
part Three|11 pages
Assessment
chapter Chapter Seven|9 pages
Achievements and Failures
part Four|35 pages
Documents