Soviet takeover of Eastern Europe

Question 1

How did Soviets takeover Bulgaria?

Answer 1

• 1945: left-wing coalition elected
• 1946: 15,000 opponents executed, Tsar Simeon driven into exile
• 1947: communists won election and adopted Soviet-style government led by Dimitrov

Question 2

How did Soviets takeover Poland?

Answer 2

• 1945: coalition government elected, non-communist leaders arrested
• 1945-7: thousands of non-communists imprisoned
• 1947: communist leader, Bierut, won election and became head of state

Question 3

How did Soviets takeover Hungary?

Answer 3

• 1945: coalition government took power, Rakosi (communist leader) banned opposition parties, took control of police
• By 1947 Rakosi had power

Question 4

How did Soviets takeover Romania?

Answer 4

• 1945: King Michael returned from exile, left-wing coalition elected
• 1946: campaign of violence against non-communist parties, communists won 1946 elections forcing King Michael to abdicate

Question 5

How did Soviets takeover Czechoslovakia?

Answer 5

• 1945: coalition government elected, communists took over radio, police and army
• 1947: secret police arrested non-communists
• 1948: Gottwald organised demonstrations demanding communism, foreign minister Masaryk killed

Question 6

How did Soviets takeover East Germany?

Answer 6

• Became Russian zone completely under their control
• Social Democrats merged with communists forming Social Unity party, winning 1946 election
• 1949: zone turned into country (GDR)