The Creation of the Satellite States (Poland, Hungary and Czechoslovakia)

Question 1

How did the USSR esablish Czechoslovakia as a satellite state?

Answer 1

After the Second World War, Czechoslovakia tried to restore it’s previous democracy. Stalin saw this as a threat to his Eastern Block and so supported a staged coup d’état in 1948. This established a pro-communist government led by Klement Gottwald.

Question 2

How did the USSR establish Hungary as a satellite state?

Answer 2

There was an election in Hungary in 1945, which elected some communist leaders into power but not enough for a full government. In 1947, voters were intimidated by campaigners supported by Moscow and so a communist party came into power and the country became a one-party communist state.

Question 3

How did the USSR establish Poland as a satellite state?

Answer 3

In 1944, a rebellion in Poland called the Warsaw Uprising was staged against their Nazi leaders. The USSR pledged to support them, but simply waited until the uprising had been crushed. Then they invaded and crushed the Nazis. They then established a pro-communist government and forced the London Poles to flee the country.