break with the Soviet Union
In 1945, Tito replaced the monarchy with a Communist regime, crushing his opposition with secret police. As Tito consolidated his power, the Soviet Union liberated other Eastern European countries from Axis control and installed Communist governments. Thanks to Tito's Partisans, Yugoslavia was the only country that liberated itself unaided by the USSR.
While Tito remained loyal to Stalin at first, he defied Stalin’s orders and acted independently, seeking more independence for Yugoslavia. Stalin saw Tito as a threat to Soviet domination, and in 1948, he expelled Yugoslavia from the international organization of Communist countries. Stalin ordered Tito's assassination and sent troops to the Yugoslav border. "Stalin accused Tito of being a nationalist Communist, of putting the national interests of Yugoslavia against the interests of the Communist world." |
Because he was the first Communist leader to successfully challenge Stalin, Tito enjoyed the support of the West, the Yugoslav people, and his own party. Tito ensured his control by imprisoning and killing Communists who showed Soviet loyalty. He began to develop Yugoslavia as an independent Communist state. Tito maintained personal control of the country for the next 30 years.
|