After the war, Benes returned as the President of the Second Czechoslovak Republic. Meanwhile, the Communist party grew in strength, becoming the leading political party in Czechoslovakia. In the 1946 May election, although very strong in the Czech Lands, the Communist Party did not fare well in Slovakia, where the Democratic Party held 62% of the votes. However, over the whole republic, the Communists got 37% of the votes, and so won the election, with their leader Gottwald becoming Prime Minister.
In February 1948, in line with the other Communist Parties in Central Europe, the Czechoslovak Communists staged a political coup, taking total power in Prague. They then set about changing Czechoslovakia's government and economy in line with that of the Soviet Union. The Communist government began its regime by prohibiting all other political parties. They also nationalized private property and took over control of the factories and many other businesses. Farmers and landowners were forced to join collective farms.
Stopping short of prohibiting religion in Czechoslovakia, the communists instead sought to control it. Many monasteries and other holy institutes were closed down, many bishops, priests and nuns arrested and sent to labor camps. People were encouraged not to openly worship, and practicing Christians were often held back in their education or denied the best jobs.
For the next two decades, Slovakia as part of the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic, underwent a rapid industrialization program. The State owned everything and nobody dared question the State. Those that did were often victims of mock trials, and sentenced to long prison sentences and even death.