Soviet Control of Eastern Europe

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Definitions

Buffer zone- an area of select nations around a country for defence. 

Satellite states- country under clear influence of a larger power. geographically close. 

Friendly gov- independent nation under unofficial influence from another.

coup d'etait- sudden & violent seizure of power from a government. inside a country but an outside country can create it.

salami tatics- divide up/ removal/ or ally with opponents to take power (Stalin)

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Prosecute-

  • Bulgaria- PetKov was arrested & executed as he was the strongest opponent and lead the Peasant's party. His party was absorbe into the communist movement.
  • Poland & Hungary- prevented free elections. any opposition was arrested. "salami tatics"
  • Role and influence of the Red Army & secret police. (NK v D)
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Defend

  • Sought security for loses in WW2 (27 million) 
  • Not directly involved in Greece (Yugoslavia & Albania)
  • Yugoslavia was independent of Stalin
  • Communism was popular eg. Romania & Albania 
  • Czechslovakia 'fell from within' (internal seizure of power) only 500 Red Army soldiers
  • Reaction to US actions eg. France/Italy.
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Stalinisation of Eastern Europe

Romania(Feb 1945)

  • Communists were popular.
  • Opposition was minimal
  • in nov 1946 election- the Romanian Communist Party won a huge majority (80%)
  • King Michael forced to abdicate in 1947, ensuring Soviet domination. 

Alabania (Jan 1946)

  • Communists took power after war without any significant opposition.

Bulgaria(Oct 1946)

  • Manipulated elections & forced removal of opponents
  • strongest opposition party was Peasant's party led by Petkov who was then executed.
  • the party was absorbed into the communist movement
  • all opposition parties banned by Apr 1947
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Stalinisation of Eastern Europe

Poland (Jan 1947) 

  • Stalin arrested all non-communist leaders & prevnted free multi-party elections.
  • communists merged with polish socialists to become dominant party through fixed elections.
  • under leader Bierut.

Hungary (Aug 1947) 

  • communists allied with other political, arrested political opponents
  • elections were rigged to secure power for communists
  • other parties were banned 
  • communist leader Rakosi estabilished a Stalinist regime.

Czechoslovakia(Feb 1948)

  • by 1947 comm party was largest party in coalitiation gov
  • Stalin offered Gottwald, comm leader, to remove non-communists in the gov.
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Stalinisation of Eastern Europe

Poland (Jan 1947) 

  • Stalin arrested all non-communist leaders & prevnted free multi-party elections.
  • communists merged with polish socialists to become dominant party through fixed elections.
  • under leader Bierut.

Hungary (Aug 1947) 

  • communists allied with other political, arrested political opponents
  • elections were rigged to secure power for communists
  • other parties were banned 
  • communist leader Rakosi estabilished a Stalinist regime.

Czechoslovakia(Feb 1948)

  • by 1947 comm party was largest party in coalitiation gov
  • Stalin offered Gottwald, comm leader, to remove non-communists in the gov.
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Stalinisation of Eastern Europe-

  • failure of Czech. to receive Marshal Aid blamed on communists in coaliation gov
  • in Feb 1948, czech. comm seized power through cop d'etat.
  • President Benes forced to resign & replaced by Gottwald
  • Jan Masaryk later 'fell' from a window in March 1948. 
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