Eastern Europe After WW2

Question 1

Why did Stalin occupy Eastern Europe?

Answer 1

–>Triumph in WW2
–>War-Time Losses
–>Invasion through Poland(Buffer zone)
–>Stopping the Spread of U.S Impearialism
(TWISTO)

Question 2

Explain how Soviet Triumph in WW11 caused EE occupation

Answer 2

• ->10 million Germans dead(80%)
• ->felt they were BC
• ->Communist USSR beat Capitalist Germany
• ->New sense of accompl. + determination

Question 3

Explain how Soviet war-time losses caused EE occupation

Answer 3

• ->15 million soviet soldiers killed
• ->Many dead due to f. shortages (estimated 25 mill. c.)
• ->Buffer zones offer protection from future sacrifi.

Question 4

Explain how the possibility of an Invasion through Poland caused EE occupation?

Answer 4

• ->1914 and 1941: Germany invaded through Poland
• -> Many Eastern European countries right.,anti-com.
• -> Without soviet control, anti-soviet government

Question 5

Explain how the notion of stopping the spread of U.S imperialism caused EE occupation?

Answer 5

–>1945: U.S wealthiest Country in the World (0.288 trillion)
–> SG though they were trying to expand power by:
:buying up comp. in diff. count.
:Selling u.s goods whenever they could
–> Morally inclined to stop U.S business dominated as com.

Question 6

How did the Soviet Union take over Eastern Europe?

Answer 6

• ->Red army(leave troops)
• ->(coalit. govt.)
• ->Killing and/or imprisoning opponents.
• ->Winning democratic elections.(rigged)
• –>Banning other parties

Question 7

Describe the Soviet Union’s Takeover of Poland

Answer 7

• ->June 1945: some London Poles in government
• ->Dominated by Lublin Poles
• ->July 1945: West recognised government
• ->1947:rigged elections
• ->80% result (no int. in communi. Poland in 1930s)

Question 8

Describe the Soviet Union’s Takeover of Romania

Answer 8

• ->1944: Red army
• ->1945: Communsit elected, left-wing coalition
• ->1945:rigged elections
• ->1947: Communists

Question 9

Describe the Soviet Union’s Takeover of Czechoslovakia

Answer 9

• ->Coalition (comm. + non comm.)
• ->1948: supposed to be election
• ->1948: scared they would lose, coup