Soviet Expansion Into Eastern Europe Flashcards
What did the soviet troops do after defeating Germany?
They remained in Eastern Europe
What was the ‘IronCurtain’?
A line across Europe that separated the democratic nations of the West from the Communist states of the east.
(Winston Churchill, the former British Prime Minister used the phrase in a speech in May 1946)
After elections in Eastern Europe in 1945 what governments took control?
Communist parties (by May 1948 all Eastern Europe was communist) Evidence suggests they elections were rigged.
What was Cominform?
An alliance of communist countries set up in 1947 to spread communist ideas.
What was Comecon?
An organisation to co-ordinate the trade of Eastern European (communist) countries set up in 1949 that depended on the USSR
How did the USA stop Greece becoming communist in 1949?
They provided the Royalists in Greece with arms and money to defeat the communists
What was the Truman Doctrine?
A policy by the USA to stop the spread of communism by supporting countries at risk of becoming communist
What was containment?
The Truman Doctrine aimed to contain communism and stop its spread but not push it back.
What was Marshall Aid?
US money sent to Euroupe.
In 1947 as part of the Truman Doctrine billions of dollars went to help Europe recover from the war (and stop the spread of communism)
Who refused Marshall Aid?
Stalin (who also banned it for the rest of Eastern Europe)
