issue 2 cold war soviet policy in eastern Europe

Question 1

intro

Answer 1

Context: in the aftermath of the Second World War, the Red Army effectively occupied large parts of Eastern Europe. It created a series of sympathetic states that helped it maintain a buffer zone, and theoretically, showed the success of communism. The Soviet Union used a variety of methods to control the satellite states.

Question 2

Khrushchev speech

Answer 2

k-Khrushchev speech detailed plans for a more economically focused soviet union which don’t rely on the harsh methods used by Stalin
k-his speech suggested to those across the soviet union that the restrictions of communications would be loosened
A+however the speech caused more frustration and distress in Russia many opposed his condemnation of Stalin due to the long dictatorship they lived in this resulted in a lack of support for the government

Question 3

Poland

Answer 3

k-initially the soviets labelled the protesters “provokers”. eventually they changed their tone and refereed to them as honest workers
k-they increased wages in Poland by 50%
A+however it could be argued that the success of the polish revolution resulted in the Hungarian revolution

Question 4

Hungary

Answer 4

k-the soviets retook control of Hungary after the protests successfully overthrew the communist government
k-their methods were brutal which worsened their reputation but in some ways benefited as no other country tried to launch a large scale protest for decades
A+however as a result of the soviet response to the protest 600,000 Hungarians emigrated

Question 5

Berlin

Answer 5

k-there was a brain drain in east Berlin. the wall solved it
k-reduced the risk of spying and sabotage.
A+it wasnt completely effective some managed to pass the berlin wall by digging under