WI: 1948 Czechloslovakian Coup Thwarted.

Czechloslovkia in 1948 is an unstable democracy, in the middle of Europe. Historically, the Soviet Sponsored Coup d'tat that occured as a result of early elections was not strongly opposed the by Czech government. Suppose, that as a result of the Communist Interior Minister illegally expanding his powers, the CS government holds elections, and the attempted coup...is foiled.

Historically, the USA reacted to the Czechloslovkian Coup by authorising the Marshall plan to stabilise Europe, and the Czechs firmly joined the Soviet Camp (although not happy with the arrangement)

But, if the Czechs manage to fend of the 1948 coup, what happens next?
 
I guess Uncle Joe and his advisors would think of something, again. Stalin was not in the mood to play democracy games in 1948 AD, so foiling of the commie coup will just delay inevitable. And with Stalin in power for 5 more years, there's not much chance CS will escape inevitable Sovetization. Czechs lost their chances for Finlandization when they lost their fighting spirit, and Slovaks weren't really in the anti-Communist mood.

Did you consider TL of Czechoslovakia breakup in 1948 with Slovakia becoming Soviet client state and Czech turning into neutral power with market economy (along the lines of Austria and Finnland)?
 
If the coup is foiled, communist regroup themselves in some Czech town, create revolutionary goverment, claim that "reactionists" and "fascict collaborators" try to take over and ask Red Army for help to protect Czechoslovakian working class. Soviet tanks roll in, and that's it.
 
If the coup is foiled, communist regroup themselves in some Czech town, create revolutionary goverment, claim that "reactionists" and "fascict collaborators" try to take over and ask Red Army for help to protect Czechoslovakian working class. Soviet tanks roll in, and that's it.

But at what point would the US Army try to move in also? Indeed, I can't imagine the USA doing absolutely nothing during this situation. Also, the failed coup would probably anger the Czechs immensely--could they get some kind Austrian style neutrality arrangement?

Also, if the Soviets started rolling over the border, wouldn't the Czechs try to join the Allies??
 
But at what point would the US Army try to move in also? Indeed, I can't imagine the USA doing absolutely nothing during this situation. Also, the failed coup would probably anger the Czechs immensely--could they get some kind Austrian style neutrality arrangement?

Also, if the Soviets started rolling over the border, wouldn't the Czechs try to join the Allies??

I don't think the political situation in 1948 warranted a confrontation over Czechoslovakia. I don't think the US would commit military forces to protect Czechoslovakian independence or political determination, so the Czechs & Slovaks are pretty much screwed if Stalin decided to end toying around with the country.
 
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