How did the Communist Party take control of Czechoslovakia in 1948?

The Communist Party of Czechoslovakia took control of the country in February 1948 through a series of political maneuvers and pressure tactics that culminated in a virtual coup d’état.12

Following their victory in the 1946 general election, the Communists held key ministerial positions, but collaboration with non-Communist parties in the National Front coalition became increasingly strained over economic policies, including the rejection of Marshall Plan aid under Soviet Union pressure.1

The crisis reached a breaking point in February 1948 over the control of the police force. When the Communist interior minister attempted to appoint Communist officials to senior police posts, most non-Communist ministers resigned on February 20, hoping to force a government collapse. Instead, the Communists seized the ministries held by the resigning officials and occupied the headquarters of opposition parties.1

Supported by mass demonstrations of armed, Communist-led workers, the Communists pressured President Edvard Beneš to accept a new government dominated by Communists and left-wing Social Democrats. By February 25, 1948, the new government was formed, effectively ending democratic opposition and establishing a Communist-controlled state.12