Enter a player name to begin or load your saved progress.
The Tito-Stalin split occurred in mid-1948, leading Yugoslavia to pursue a foreign policy independent of the Eastern Bloc.
Answer: True
Explanation: The public conflict between Tito and Stalin, known as the Tito-Stalin split, occurred in mid-1948. This event fundamentally altered Yugoslavia's geopolitical alignment, prompting its leadership to chart a course independent of the Soviet Union and the Eastern Bloc.
The Cominform was established by Yugoslavia to coordinate its own foreign policy objectives with those of the Soviet Union.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Cominform (Communist Information Bureau) was established by the Soviet Union in 1947, not by Yugoslavia, with the primary objective of coordinating communist parties and reducing ideological divergence. Yugoslavia was initially a member but was later expelled following the split.
Divergent economic policies and the signing of the Bled agreement without Soviet consultation were key factors leading to the strained relations between Stalin and Tito.
Answer: True
Explanation: Strained relations between Stalin and Tito were exacerbated by several factors, including differing views on economic development and foreign policy. The Bled Agreement of 1947, a treaty between Yugoslavia and Bulgaria negotiated without Soviet approval, was a significant point of contention that intensified the conflict.
In what year did the public conflict known as the Tito-Stalin split occur?
Answer: 1948
Explanation: The public conflict between Josip Broz Tito and Joseph Stalin, known as the Tito-Stalin split, occurred in mid-1948, marking a pivotal moment in post-war European history and Yugoslavia's geopolitical trajectory.
What was the primary function of the Cominform, established by Stalin?
Answer: To coordinate communist governments and reduce ideological divergence.
Explanation: The Cominform, or Communist Information Bureau, was established by Stalin in 1947 primarily to serve as a coordinating body for communist parties and governments, aiming to ensure ideological unity and prevent divergence from the Soviet line.
Which agreement, signed between Yugoslavia and Bulgaria without Soviet consultation, significantly escalated tensions leading up to the Tito-Stalin split?
Answer: The Bled Agreement
Explanation: The Bled Agreement of 1947, a friendship treaty signed between Yugoslavia and Bulgaria, was a critical point of escalation. Its negotiation without prior Soviet consultation was strongly condemned by Soviet Foreign Minister Vyacheslav Molotov, highlighting the growing rift.
The Bled Agreement of 1947 was significant primarily because:
Answer: It was a friendship treaty between Yugoslavia and Bulgaria negotiated without Soviet consultation.
Explanation: The Bled Agreement of 1947, a friendship treaty between Yugoslavia and Bulgaria, gained significance due to its negotiation without Soviet consultation, which directly contributed to escalating tensions between Yugoslavia and the Soviet Union.
The United States provided Yugoslavia with substantial economic and military aid following the Tito-Stalin split, viewing it as a strategic opportunity.
Answer: True
Explanation: Following the Tito-Stalin split, the United States perceived Yugoslavia's independent stance as a strategic asset for fragmenting the Soviet bloc. Consequently, the U.S. provided significant economic and military aid to support Yugoslavia's autonomy and counter Soviet influence in the region.
After World War II, Yugoslavia abandoned all territorial claims against Italy and Austria following the Tito-Stalin split.
Answer: False
Explanation: Yugoslavia maintained its territorial claims against Italy (specifically regarding Trieste) and Austria after World War II. The Tito-Stalin split altered the geopolitical dynamics, with the Soviet Union withdrawing support for Yugoslavia's claims on Trieste and instead backing Austria.
Yugoslavia continued its support for the Democratic Army of Greece (DSE) throughout the Greek Civil War, even after the Tito-Stalin split.
Answer: False
Explanation: While Yugoslavia had provided support to the Democratic Army of Greece (DSE) prior to the split, the shift in foreign policy following the Tito-Stalin conflict eventually led Tito to end this support, aligning with the changing geopolitical landscape.
The Balkan Pact of 1953 was a non-aggression treaty signed between Yugoslavia and the Soviet Union.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Balkan Pact of 1953 was a defense cooperation treaty signed between Yugoslavia, Greece, and Turkey, aimed at mutual security against potential Soviet aggression, not a treaty with the Soviet Union.
Why did the United States provide economic and military aid to Yugoslavia after the Tito-Stalin split?
Answer: To further fragment the Soviet bloc and counter Soviet influence.
Explanation: The United States provided aid to Yugoslavia following the split as a strategic measure to weaken the Soviet bloc by fostering an independent communist state. This policy aimed to deny the USSR strategic advantages in Southeast Europe and promote geopolitical fragmentation.
Which territorial dispute involving Yugoslavia saw the Soviet Union shift its support from Yugoslavia to Austria after the Tito-Stalin split?
Answer: The control of Trieste
Explanation: Following the Tito-Stalin split, the Soviet Union altered its stance on territorial disputes, notably withdrawing support for Yugoslavia's claims over the Free Territory of Trieste and instead aligning with Austria on related claims.
What decision did Tito make regarding support for the Greek Civil War after the Tito-Stalin split?
Answer: Ended Yugoslav support for the DSE.
Explanation: After the Tito-Stalin split, Yugoslavia's foreign policy underwent significant adjustments. Consequently, Tito decided to cease Yugoslav support for the Democratic Army of Greece (DSE) in the Greek Civil War.
What was the main purpose of the Balkan Pact signed in 1953 involving Yugoslavia, Greece, and Turkey?
Answer: To formalize defense cooperation against a perceived Soviet threat.
Explanation: The Balkan Pact of 1953 was primarily established to formalize defense cooperation among Yugoslavia, Greece, and Turkey. Its main purpose was to create a collective security arrangement against the perceived threat emanating from the Soviet Union.
How did the United States view Yugoslavia's strategic importance during the Cold War, particularly after the Tito-Stalin split?
Answer: As a key element in fragmenting the Soviet bloc.
Explanation: Following the Tito-Stalin split, the United States viewed Yugoslavia as a strategically crucial nation. Its independent stance was seen as instrumental in fragmenting the Soviet bloc and preventing the consolidation of communist power, thus justifying U.S. support.
The 'Cominformist purges' targeted individuals who supported Yugoslav self-management policies.
Answer: False
Explanation: The 'Cominformist purges' targeted individuals perceived as loyal to Stalin and the Cominform, often referred to as 'ibeovci'. Those who supported Yugoslavia's developing 'self-management' policies were generally aligned with Tito's independent path.
Sreten Žujović was the only member of the Central Committee to openly support Stalin during the discussion of Soviet accusations, leading to his arrest.
Answer: True
Explanation: Sreten Žujović is noted as being the sole member of the Central Committee who openly voiced support for Stalin during the critical discussions regarding Soviet accusations, a stance that ultimately led to his arrest and persecution.
Goli Otok and Sveti Grgur were primarily used as labor camps for political dissidents who opposed the self-management system.
Answer: False
Explanation: Goli Otok and Sveti Grgur were established as notorious prison camps specifically for individuals accused of supporting Stalin and the Cominform ('Cominformists') following the Tito-Stalin split, rather than for opposing the self-management system.
The Yugoslav Air Force was unaffected by the Tito-Stalin split because its officers were trained domestically.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Yugoslav Air Force was significantly affected by the Tito-Stalin split. A substantial number of its officers had received training in the Soviet Union, making them potential targets for suspicion or defection, and impacting the force's operational integrity.
The primary forms of opposition faced by Tito's government during the Informbiro period included armed insurrections and exiled groups supported by the Soviets.
Answer: True
Explanation: During the Informbiro period, Tito's government contended with various forms of opposition, including armed uprisings in certain regions and exiled groups actively supported by the Soviet Union through propaganda and other means.
The attempted military coup led by Arso Jovanović against Tito's government was successful, forcing Tito into exile.
Answer: False
Explanation: The attempted military coup led by Arso Jovanović, which was supported by the Soviets, ultimately failed. Jovanović was killed while attempting to flee, and the coup did not succeed in overthrowing Tito's government.
Soviet authorities actively supported the exiled Yugoslav opposition by broadcasting propaganda and organizing anti-Titoist publications.
Answer: True
Explanation: Soviet authorities provided significant support to exiled Yugoslav opposition groups, including the dissemination of anti-Titoist propaganda through radio broadcasts and publications, aiming to undermine Tito's regime.
What historical period in Yugoslavia is characterized by purges, economic difficulties due to the break with the Eastern Bloc, and a shift towards socialist self-management, lasting from mid-1948 to 1955?
Answer: The Informbiro Period
Explanation: The Informbiro period, spanning from the Tito-Stalin split in mid-1948 until the Belgrade Declaration in 1955, was defined by intense political purges, significant economic challenges stemming from the break with the Eastern Bloc, and the foundational development of Yugoslavia's unique socialist self-management system.
What term was used for individuals targeted during the intense political persecution in Yugoslavia following the Tito-Stalin split?
Answer: Cominformists
Explanation: Individuals targeted during the intense political persecution in Yugoslavia after the Tito-Stalin split were commonly referred to as 'Cominformists' or 'ibeovci', signifying their perceived loyalty to Stalin and the Cominform bloc.
Who was tasked by Tito with fabricating charges against Andrija Hebrang and Sreten Žujović during the Informbiro period?
Answer: Aleksandar Ranković
Explanation: Aleksandar Ranković, serving as the Minister of Interior, was tasked by Tito with orchestrating the fabrication of charges against prominent figures like Andrija Hebrang and Sreten Žujović during the Informbiro period.
Which island location became infamous as a special prison camp for Cominformists starting in 1949?
Answer: Goli Otok
Explanation: Goli Otok, an island in the Adriatic Sea, became infamous as a harsh prison camp established in 1949 specifically to incarcerate individuals accused of supporting Stalin and the Cominform.
How did the Cominformist purges significantly affect the State Security Administration (UDB) in Yugoslavia?
Answer: Thousands of UDB servicemen and officers were convicted.
Explanation: The Cominformist purges had a profound impact on the State Security Administration (UDB), leading to the conviction of thousands of its servicemen and officers who were accused of disloyalty or Cominformist sympathies.
What specific factor made the Yugoslav Air Force particularly vulnerable during the Tito-Stalin split?
Answer: Most officers had received training in the Soviet Union.
Explanation: The Yugoslav Air Force's vulnerability during the Tito-Stalin split stemmed largely from the fact that a significant proportion of its officers had received their training in the Soviet Union, creating potential loyalty issues and operational risks.
Who led a failed Soviet-backed military coup attempt against Tito's government during the Informbiro period?
Answer: Arso Jovanović
Explanation: Colonel General Arso Jovanović led a Soviet-backed military coup attempt against Tito's government during the Informbiro period. The coup failed, and Jovanović was subsequently killed.
Which of the following was a method used by Soviet authorities to support the exiled Yugoslav opposition?
Answer: Organizing anti-Titoist newspapers and radio broadcasts.
Explanation: Soviet authorities actively supported exiled Yugoslav opposition groups by establishing and broadcasting anti-Titoist propaganda through newspapers and radio stations, aiming to destabilize Tito's regime.
In which region did one of the most notable armed 'insurrections' occur during the Informbiro period, led by figures like Ilija Bulatović?
Answer: Montenegro
Explanation: Montenegro was the site of one of the most significant armed 'insurrections' during the Informbiro period, with figures like Ilija Bulatović involved in the uprisings that were eventually suppressed by Yugoslav authorities.
According to the source, what historical sentiment contributed to higher numbers of 'Cominformists' in Serbia and Montenegro?
Answer: Traditional Russophilia
Explanation: Traditional Russophilia, a historical sentiment of affinity towards Russia, is cited as a contributing factor to the higher prevalence of 'Cominformists' (those supporting Stalin) observed in Serbia and Montenegro during the Informbiro period.
The Informbiro period in Yugoslavia officially concluded in 1956 with the dissolution of the Cominform.
Answer: False
Explanation: While the Cominform was officially dissolved in 1956, the period of intense political and economic strain for Yugoslavia, known as the Informbiro period, is generally considered to have concluded with the Belgrade Declaration in 1955, marking a significant step towards normalization of relations with the Soviet Union.
Following Stalin's death, Soviet pressure on Yugoslavia decreased, leading to the exchange of ambassadors and the signing of the Belgrade Declaration.
Answer: True
Explanation: After Joseph Stalin's death in 1953, the Soviet Union initiated a policy shift towards Yugoslavia. This led to a reduction in pressure, the re-establishment of diplomatic relations through the exchange of ambassadors, and the signing of the significant Belgrade Declaration in 1955.
The Belgrade Declaration of 1955 officially ended all economic cooperation between Yugoslavia and the Soviet Union.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Belgrade Declaration of 1955 marked a rapprochement between Yugoslavia and the Soviet Union, recognizing Yugoslav socialism and leading to the normalization of relations, which included the resumption, not the ending, of economic cooperation.
The United States viewed the Soviet-Yugoslav rapprochement negatively, withdrawing all aid to Yugoslavia.
Answer: False
Explanation: While the United States viewed the Soviet-Yugoslav rapprochement with caution, it did not withdraw all aid. The U.S. continued to support Yugoslavia's independence as a strategic counterweight to Soviet influence, although the nature and extent of aid may have been adjusted.
What was the significance of the Belgrade Declaration signed in June 1955?
Answer: It recognized Yugoslav socialism and normalized relations with the USSR.
Explanation: The Belgrade Declaration of 1955 was a landmark agreement that formally recognized the legitimacy of Yugoslav socialism and significantly normalized relations between Yugoslavia and the Soviet Union, marking a de-escalation of the post-split tensions.