Continuation: USSR's control of EE by 1948

Question 1

What was the ‘iron curtain’?

Answer 1

Churchill described the border between Soviet-controlled countries and West as an ‘iron curtain.’
(It was a barrier that divided capitalist and communist nations)

Question 1

What countries had communist governments in EE by 1946?

Answer 1

• Poland
• Hungary
• Romania
• Bulgaria
• Albania

Question 2

Did Stalin have a secret police?

Answer 2

Yes, and they imprisoned anyone who opposed communist rule.

Question 3

When did Stalin set up Cominform?

Answer 3

October 1947

Question 4

What does Cominform stand for?

Answer 4

Communist Information Bureau

Question 5

What was the role of Cominform?

Answer 5

• To co-ordinate the work of the communist parties of EE
• Cominform regularly brought the leaders of each communist party to Moscow to be briefed by Stalin and his ministers!
• Allowed Stalin to keep a close eye on them

Question 6

What are some acts that Stalin did during Cominform?

Answer 6

• Stalin spotted independent-minded leaders and replaced them with people who were completely loyal to him
• However, Tito in Yugoslavia escaped this close control and he resented being controlled by Cominform
• So, he was expelled for his hostility in 1948