The steps to communism 1945-47 Flashcards
What form of government had been established by 1947 and in what countries?
Communist governments in Poland, Romania, Bulgaria and Albania (Czechoslovakia would follow in 1948)
What attempts did the USSR use to spread communism over Eastern Europe 1945-47
RED ARMY - the USSR was in a strong position in 1945 as the Red Army, 6 million strong had ‘liberated’ the countries of Eastern Europe from German control. The Russian army remained in Eastern Europe while the US army left Europe after the defeat of Hitler.
RADICAL CHANGE - The soviet government in Moscow suggested radical changes in the countries of Eastern Europe which would aid economic recovery and which helped to increase the communist’s popularity.
RIGGED ELECTIONS - in a rejection of what had been agreed at Yalta, that the people of Eastern Europe would choose their own fate through the holding of democratic elections, Stalin rigged a series of elections in Eastern Europe and intimidated voters into supporting communist candidates
CONTROL - Political opponents of communism were imprisoned or killed. Only politicians loyal to Stalin were appointed for example Rakosi in Hungary.
Stalin TIGHTENED RUSSIAN CONTROL using Comiform and Comecon to strengthen political and economic links with the USSR
ECONOMIC LINKS and TRAVEL between Eastern and Western Europe became more difficult. The USSR installed watch towers and barbed wire to block off contact between area of Russian control and the West.
