Cominform facts for kids

Cominform was a special group created in 1947. Its main goal was to help different Communist political parties across Europe work together. However, it was also a way for the Communist Party in the Soviet Union (USSR) to keep a close eye on and control these other parties. Think of it like a club where one big member had a lot of say over what everyone else did.

What Was Cominform?

Cominform stands for the "Communist Information Bureau." It was set up shortly after World War II ended. After the war, Europe was divided, and many countries were trying to rebuild. The Soviet Union, a very powerful country at the time, wanted to make sure that Communist ideas and parties stayed strong, especially in Eastern Europe.

Why Was Cominform Created?

Cominform was created for a few key reasons:

• To Share Information: It was meant to be a place where Communist parties could share ideas and news with each other.
• To Coordinate Actions: It helped these parties work together on common goals and strategies.
• To Fight Against Capitalism: The Soviet Union and its allies saw the Western countries (like the United States and Britain) as rivals. Cominform was used to push back against their influence, especially against the "Marshall Plan," which was America's plan to help rebuild Europe.
• To Keep Control: Most importantly, Cominform allowed the Soviet Union to make sure that other Communist parties followed its lead. If a party in another country started to disagree with the Soviet Union, Cominform could put pressure on them.

The Cold War Connection

Cominform was a big part of the early years of the Cold War. The Cold War was a period of tension and rivalry between the Soviet Union and its allies (the Eastern Bloc) and the United States and its allies (the Western Bloc). It wasn't a "hot" war with direct fighting, but a struggle for influence around the world. Cominform was one of the Soviet Union's tools in this global competition.

Where Was Cominform Based?

Cominform didn't stay in one place for its whole existence.

• Belgrade, Yugoslavia: When it was first created in 1947, Cominform's headquarters were in Belgrade, the capital city of Yugoslavia.
• Bucharest, Romania: However, in 1948, there was a big disagreement between the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia's leader, Josip Broz Tito. Because of this, Cominform's headquarters were moved to Bucharest, the capital of Romania.

Who Were the Members?

The main members of Cominform were the Communist parties from:

• The Soviet Union
• Bulgaria
• Czechoslovakia
• Hungary
• Poland
• Romania
• Yugoslavia (until 1948, when it was expelled)
• France
• Italy

These parties would send representatives to meetings to discuss their plans and how to work together.

When Did Cominform End?

Cominform lasted for about nine years. It was officially dissolved, or shut down, in 1956. By this time, the political situation in Europe had changed quite a bit. The Soviet Union's new leader, Nikita Khrushchev, wanted to improve relations with some countries and change how the Soviet Union interacted with other Communist parties. He felt that Cominform was no longer needed and might even be causing more problems than it solved.