satellite states Flashcards
Between what years did the Soviet Union spread its influence to neighbouring countries?
Between 1947 and 1949, the USSR began spreading its sphere of influence to neighbouring countries, like Poland and Hungary, who became ‘satellite states’ under the control of the USSR. This was to establish a buffer zone.
What promise did Stalin make at the February 1945 Yalta, which he didn’t keep to?
At the 1945 Yalta Conference, Stalin promised he would run Poland democratically, allowing the public to vote fairly in elections. He did this because he was confident that people would vote for the Communist Party, however most did not.
What did Stalin do when Poland wasn’t being ran democratically to make it unfair?
Stalin allowed people to vote because he was confident they would vote for the communist party, however most did not. When they didn’t, the USSR fixed the elections to make sure the Communist Party won.
What did the Communist Party “won” the elections in Poland?
After the election was fixed in Poland by the USSR, the Communist Party who cheatingly won sliced off the opposition in what was known as ‘salami tactics’. Then each country became a one party state, so was no longer democratic.
What were the four main impacts/ effects of the Soviet occupation of Eastern Europe on the superpower relations?
The Soviet occupation of Eastern countries had impacts including:
- ) The USA saw Stalin’s fixing of the votes and single party states as going against what was agreed at the 1945 February Yalta conference.
- ) Others saw it as evidence of Soviet expansion, the East of Europe was a step closer to controlling Western Europe.
- ) The USA was determined to contain the Soviet’s spread, by economic and military tactics, as well as the Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan/ Aid.
- ) The Soviet Union agreed that they needed to control Eastern Europe as a ‘buffer-zone’ to protect it from a Western attack.
