Control between 1945-8 Flashcards
What happened in Poland?
In June 1945, the Communists joined a coalition. In January 1947, elections were rigged and leaders fled.
What happened in Romania?
Communists became located in Romania in 1945. In January, demonstrations. Soviets get involved in March and make the King appoint them as the government. In November 1946, Communists gained 80% of the votes.
What happened in Hungary?
In Hungary, the Smallholders’ were the greatest party. In 1947, after an economic crisis, the communists seized the Ministry of the Interior. This led to the Communists arresting the leader of the party and the President, Imre Nagy, and in August 1947 they won the election.
What happened in Czechoslovakia?
In 1947, they were one of the greatest parties in a coalition and controlled police and armed forces. In 1948, supported by USSR, the communists seized control and the foreign secretary was killed. This led to the Communists rigging the elections for a victory. All other parties banned.
What happened in Bulgaria?
In 1944, a communist government was set up. In November 1945, the communists won rigged elections and banned parties.
What happened in Yugoslavia?
Tito - not a fan of the USSR. As a communist, he refused to take orders from Stalin and was expelled from cominform. This led to him accepting aid from the West,
What was the percentages deal?
This was made in 1945. While the UK could have 90% of Greece, the USSR would have 90% of Romania.
What was the memory of what had happened, 1918-39, that drove the USSR to expand?
They had been invaded in 1914 and 1941. During the war, the Polish signed a non-aggression pact with France, and the Hungarians and Romanians fought with Germany.
What was strategic importance of Poland?
Poland was significant as this was seen as a corridor for attack, so Stalin wanted a friendly communist government as well as borders closer to the West. This was part of his idea behind security, as he wanted a bufferzone.
What did the US and UK think about Soviet expansion?
They saw this as political and felt the USSR could be safe with democratic friendly governments.
What was the position of Japan and Germany after the second world war?
Japan and Germany were defeated.
What was the position of France?
It had been invaded and utterly defeated as well.
What was the position of UK?
They were victorious but also bankrupt.
Which two countries came out on top?
The USA and USSR.
When was the Bolshevik revolution?
1917.
