History Module 11: USSR control over Eastern Europe 1948-c.1989

Question 1

Why was there an uprising in Hungary in 1956?

Answer 1

1. Widespread dissatisfaction with Soviet control and the oppressive policies of the Hungarian People’s Republic led to a desire for political reform and more national autonomy. Hungarians sought relief from Soviet-imposed rules, aiming for a more independent and democratic government.
2. Economic hardship and shortages under the communist regime fuelled public discontent. The population was frustrated with poor living conditions, lack of freedom, and economic mismanagement, prompting calls for change.

Question 2

Why were there disagreements between the Soviet Union and the West at the Potsdam Conference?

Answer 2

1. The Soviet Union and the West had differing visions for post-war Europe. Stalin sought to secure Soviet influence in Eastern Europe as a buffer zone, while the West aimed to prevent the spread of communism and ensure democratic governments in liberated countries, leading to conflicting interests.
2. Disagreements over the treatment of Germany emerged, with the Soviets advocating for harsh reparations and the West concerned about preventing future conflicts and economic stability, fearing that excessive reparations could lead to conditions similar to those that facilitated the rise of Nazism.

Question 3

Why was the failure of the Berlin Blockade important?

Answer 3

1. The failure of the Berlin Blockade demonstrated the resolve and capability of the Western Allies to sustain West Berlin despite Soviet efforts to isolate it. This success bolstered the West’s standing in the Cold War, showing they could effectively counter Soviet aggression.
2. It led to the formal division of Germany into East and West, cementing the ideological and physical divide in Europe and marking the start of the Cold War era. The blockade’s failure made clear the deepening rift between the Soviet Union and the West, setting the stage for decades of East-West tensions.

Question 4

Why did many Germans dislike the Berlin Wall?

Answer 4

1. The Berlin Wall physically divided families and communities, preventing people from visiting relatives or friends on the other side. This separation caused personal anguish and disrupted lives, making it a source of resentment.
2. It symbolised the lack of freedom under Communist rule, representing a physical barrier to the West’s liberties and economic opportunities. Many East Germans viewed the Wall as a prison wall, confining them within an oppressive regime.

Question 5

Why was Czechoslovakia invaded in 1968?

Answer 5

1. The Prague Spring reforms, which aimed to introduce “socialism with a human face,” including more freedoms and democratic elements, alarmed the Soviet Union. These reforms threatened to weaken Soviet control over Czechoslovakia and potentially inspire similar movements in other Eastern Bloc countries.
2. The Soviet leadership feared the spread of liberalisation and the potential loss of Czechoslovakia from the communist bloc, which would undermine the Warsaw Pact and Soviet influence in Eastern Europe. Invading Czechoslovakia was seen as necessary to halt these reforms and maintain the status quo.

Question 6

Why did Gorbachev do little to defend Soviet control over Eastern Europe?

Answer 6

1. Gorbachev’s policies of glasnost (openness) and perestroika (restructuring) reflected his commitment to reforming the Soviet Union, moving away from hardline policies towards greater freedom and openness. He was reluctant to use force to suppress movements for independence in Eastern Europe, prioritising reform over traditional Soviet control.
2. Economic strains within the Soviet Union limited Gorbachev’s ability to enforce control over Eastern Europe. The costs of maintaining large military forces abroad and supporting socialist governments were unsustainable, leading him to reduce the Soviet presence and influence in the region.

Question 7

Why was it important for the Soviet Union to stop Dubček’s reform programme in Czechoslovakia?

Answer 7

1. Dubček’s reforms threatened the Soviet Union’s control over Czechoslovakia and risked setting a precedent for other Eastern Bloc countries to follow suit, potentially weakening Soviet influence and destabilising the communist bloc.
2. The reforms, promoting “socialism with a human face,” were seen as a move towards liberalism and potentially towards Western-style democracy, challenging the ideological purity of Soviet communism and its leadership’s authority.