Soviet expansion into Eastern Europe Flashcards
Soviet sector of germany
-Had a pro-communist govt which was against western policy
-Reached Berlin first
czechoslovakia
-Czech communist leader became PM, Gottwald
-Members of anti-communists groups resigned in 1948
—> communists were supported by Benes, who resigned in june 1948
—> pro-moscow communists were in control
Austria
-Given independence from Germany
-Stalin had made a communist cabinet
Hungary
-Communists became allies with other political groups to challenge the power of their greatest opponent
-Hungarian communists weren’t as loyal as Stalin wanted
-Leader Rajk was executed for anti-Soviet activities in 1949
Albania
-Allied military w the USSR
-Albania were already communists
-All political opponents already executed
Poland
-Deputy PM Gomulka opposed soviet policies
-Pro-Stalin Lublin govt was established and became Stalin’s instrument of political control
-Stalin allowed ‘free multi-party elections’ w/ the intent to ensure the result was what he wanted
-Jun 1945- provisional govt of national unity was formed, typical of Stalin’s pluralist approach
Romania
-Communists were popular as they offered an alternative to the pre-war regime
-Red army occupied Romania= minimal opposition
-Communism was preferred to previous dictator= easy takeover
Bulgaria
-Manipulated elections and forced removal of opponents
-Petkov, leader of Agrarian party won over 20% in Oct elections, faced charged + was executed
-Petkov’s party was forced into the Bulgarian communist movement
-By April 1947 all other political parties were banned
Yugoslavia
-Their leader Marshal Tito was a committed Stalinist
-By 1948, Soviet influence over Yugoslavia was limited= they refused to become soviet puppets—> 1948 they were expelled from Cominform
-It’s leaders were accused of abandoning Marxism and Leninism
-Were only able to survive as the US offered economic aid to any state that faced a threat from the USSR
