Soviet Control of Eastern Europe Flashcards
Change in the Soviet Union
K - Khrushchev’s speech detailed plans for a more economically focused Soviet Union which didn’t rely on the harsh methods used by Stalin.
K - His speech suggested to those across the Soviet Union that the restrictions of Communism would be loosened.
A+ This speech caused much frustration and distress in Russia, many opposed his condemnation of Stalin due to the long dictatorship which they lived in. This resulted in a lack of support for the government.
E - To evaluate, Soviet control during desalinisation was not very successful. Journalist John Rettie who worked in the Soviet Union said that after the speech “Poland was about to explode”. It was clearly misunderstood and caused the uprisings in Poland. In the speech, Khrushchev failed to communicate that he was still a hard communist and that the core principles were not up for debate.
Soviet Policy in Poland
K - Initially, the Soviets labelled the Polish Protesters “counter-revolutionists” and “provokers”. Eventually, they changed their tone and referred to them as “honest workers” with “legitimate grievances”.
K - They increased wages in Poland by 50%
A+ It could be argued that the success of the Polish revolution resulted in the Hungarian Revolution.
E - To evaluate, by raising the wages in Poland they highlighted that the issues were with conditions and pay. This made it seem like there wasn’t a problem with communism as an ideology but with the way the Soviets ran Poland. Essentially, the Soviets successfully protected the reputation of their ideology and kept Poland in the Warsaw pact by paying them off. This was a success for the Soviets
Soviet Policy in Hungary
K - The Soviets retook control of Hungary after the protesters successfully overthrew the Communist government.
K - Their methods were brutal which worsened their reputation but in some ways benefited them as no other country dared to launch a large scale protest for decades.
A+ As a result of the Soviet response to the protests 600,000 Hungarians emigrated.
E - To evaluate, Soviet policy was more successful in Poland than during the Hungarian revolution. This is because, the Soviets managed to stop the protests through negotiation whilst still maintaining a good relationship with the satellite state and still being able to enforce Communism. The reputation of Communism was improved as they appeared civil and able to lower tensions. However, the response in Hungary was not as successful. As the Hungarians began to demand withdrawal from the Warsaw Pact and the introduction of democratic principles the Soviets were not willing to negotiate. Their brutal methods of suppression gave the Soviets a poor image and a poor relationship with Hungary.
Soviet Policy in Berlin
K - There was a brain drain in East Berlin. Wall solved it.
K - Reduced the risk of spying and sabotage.
A+ It wasn’t completely effective, some managed to pass the Berlin wall by digging under.
E - Soviet policy during construction of the Berlin wall was more successful than soviet control of Poland. This is because with the Brain drain of the East was arguably a larger concern for the Soviet Union. It could be argued that there was no real chance of a complete revolution in Poland as the protests ended after reform but the brain drain posed a real threat of economic depression in the East. Preventing this was more important that preventing protests in Poland.
