Soviet occupation of Eastern Europe Flashcards
What did Stalin want in Eastern Europe?
He wanted a buffer zone between Western and Eastern Europe
They had been invaded twice in the last 30 years European control would help make invasion less likely
How did the USA react?
They saw this as a plan to spread communism and take over the world, in particular western countries
Iron Curtain
March 1946 Churchill visited the USA where he declared Europe was divided by Soviet policies
West- free and democratic- positive
East- domination of communism- negative
How were Communist governments set up?
Elections held but were rigged.
Opposition were beaten, intimidated and murdered
After the war 6 million remained in Eastern Europe
What did Stalin set up?
COMINFORM 1947- alliance of communist countries (response to Marshall plan)
COMECON later set up to coordinate trade between these cominform countries
