Soviet takeover of eastern Europe Flashcards
What is a ‘satellite state’?
A country that is officially independent but is actually run by another country. (In the context of the Cold War, the USSR controlled many countries in Eastern Europe)
Why did Stalin set up satellite states?
He wanted to prevent America gaining influence in the region through Marshall Aid. Stalin called the Marshall Plan ‘dollar imperialism’. To prevent this Stalin extended his control over Eastern Europe.
What did Stalin refer to the Marshall Plan as?
‘Dollar imperialism’ (i.e. the USA trying to buy influence)
Why did Stalin not allow free elections as had been agreed at the Yalta and Potsdam conferences?
He did initially. But most Eastern European countries chose not be communist. Therefore the USSR pushed for new ‘free’ elections and fixed (as much as they could) the results in their favour
How did the USSR keep control of satellite states?
The USSR kept control by:
- ensuring the Communist Party leaders in each state supported them
- created an atmosphere of fear and mistrust so it was difficult for opposition groups to work together
- ruthlessly used the police and army to stamp out opposition
- arranged the economies so they were dependent on the USSR (e.g. Poland did all the shipbuilding, Hungary provided the trucks)
What happened to Yugoslavia between 1945 and 1948?
1) Marshal Tito, a communist, took power in 1945.
2) Initially Tito worked with USSR. However, he did not want to be a satellite state.
3) Relations between the USSR and Tito worsened and they split in 1948.
4) Marshall even took Marshall aid
What happened to Albania?
Communists took over Albania in 1945. There was minimal opposition to their becoming a satellite state.
What happened to the Baltic States (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania)?
They became part of the USSR after the war. They were treated as part of the USSR. There wasn’t even the pretence of being officially separate.
What happened to Bulgaria?
1) In 1944, a coalition of left-wing parties, including communists, took over.
2) In November 1945 they won ‘free elections’ through intimidation.
3) They then abolished opposition parties and executed anyone attempting to oppose communism.
What happened in Poland?
1) Free elections were held in 1945 and a coalition of left-wing parties came to power
2) Britain and the USA urged Stalin to take some Poles who had been in exile in London during the war into govt. Stalin agreed.
3) However, after 1947, after ‘free’elections were held, communists took over the govt. The London Poles either fled or were executed.
