Full Answer
What happened to Eastern Europe after WW2?
After the war ended, with Soviet troops still occupying most of Eastern Europe, the Soviet Union saw to the creation of Soviet-friendly communist parties and governments within each state, and engineered their election.
How did the Soviet Union gain power in Eastern Europe?
In these "leftover" Eastern European countries, they imposed their power by putting Soviet officials in government positions (puppet government) When Hitler disobeyed the Non-Aggression Pact in WW2 and invaded the USSR, Stalin fought back.
Why did the Soviet Union want buffer states in Eastern Europe?
Additionally, and most importantly, the Western governments agreed to recognize Soviet influence over the governments of several Eastern European states. The Soviets claimed they needed this influence to create a series of buffer states to protect the Soviet homeland from future Western aggression.
How did communism affect Bulgaria and Romania during WW2?
The Bulgarian and Romanian Communist parties had been of negligible influence prior to and during World War II, but the presence of Soviet military forces on Bulgarian and Romanian territory shifted the balance of political power sharply in favor of the Communists during the final months of the war.
What was the relationship between Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union?
What was the relationship between the Soviet Union and its client states in Eastern Europe?
Why did Moscow invade Czechoslovakia?
What was the Soviet puppet regime?
What was Dubcek's role in the reform movement?
Why did the Soviets want to create buffer states?
What countries did the Soviet Union create?
See 4 more
About this website
How did the Soviet Union dominate Eastern Europe after World War II?
The Soviet Union Occupies Eastern Europe The Soviet Union was determined to establish governments in Eastern Europe who were friendly to the Soviet Union. While the war was still taking place, Soviet occupation troops assisted local communists in putting Communist dictatorships in Romania and Bulgaria in power.
Why did the Soviet Union want to control Eastern Europe after WWII?
After World War Two a Cold War developed between the capitalist Western countries and the Communist countries of the Eastern Bloc. Soviet leader Joseph Stalin wanted a buffer zone of friendly Communist countries to protect the USSR from further attack in the future.
How did the Soviet Union rebuild after World War 2?
To help rebuild the country, the Soviet government obtained limited credits from Britain and Sweden; it refused assistance offered by the United States under the Marshall Plan. Instead, the Soviet Union coerced Soviet-occupied Central and Eastern Europe to supply machinery and raw materials.
Why did Soviet Union became a great power after the Second World War?
They had an effective transportation system that connected their remotest areas, had a vast number of natural resources and a domestic consumer industry that produced everything, from needle pins to cars. The USSR was one of the big boys that played a vital role in the Second World War.....
Why did the Soviets want to control Eastern Europe quizlet?
They wanted to contain and push back the communist invaders from the North. Why was the Arab-Israeli conflict considered part of the Cold War?
How did the United States and the Soviet Union come to dominate Europe after 1945?
How did the United States and the Soviet Union come to dominate Europe after 1945? The US and USSR dominated Europe because the traditional powers of Europe, UK, France, and Germany had all been destroyed by WW2. Germany was divided and occupied.
What happened after WW2 in Europe?
Europe became divided into the Eastern Bloc of nations and the West. The Eastern Bloc was led and controlled by the Soviet Union (Russia). These countries were run by communist governments and had their own alliance called the Warsaw Pact.
What were the foreign policies of the Soviet Union after World War II?
Although the emphasis and ranking of priorities were subject to change, two basic goals of Soviet foreign policy remained constant: national security (safeguarding Communist Party rule through internal control and the maintenance of adequate military forces) and, since the late 1940s, influence over Eastern Europe.
What happened at the end of World War 2?
September 1, 1939 – September 2, 1945World War II / PeriodTruman announced Japan's surrender and the end of World War II. The news spread quickly and celebrations erupted across the United States. On September 2, 1945, formal surrender documents were signed aboard the USS Missouri, designating the day as the official Victory over Japan Day (V-J Day).
How did the Soviet Union become a super power?
Joseph Stalin The dictator ruled by terror with a series of brutal policies, which left millions of his own citizens dead. During his reign—which lasted until his death in 1953—Stalin transformed the Soviet Union from an agrarian society to an industrial and military superpower.
When did the Soviet Union become a great power?
The Soviet era therefore can be divided into two distinct periods: from 1918 to 1941 it sought to reassert itself as a European great power, while from 1945 to 1991 it sought to play the role of a global superpower.
When did the Soviet Union became a great power?
4. The Soviet Union became the great power after the Second World War.
What was the Soviet Union doing in Eastern Europe quizlet?
What was the soviet union doing in eastern Europe? They were setting up soviet-controlled governments in Poland and other countries in eastern Europe.
What happened in many Eastern European countries after World War II?
What happened in many Eastern European countries after World War II? They became satellite states controlled by the Soviet Union.
Why did communism spread after WW2?
After WWII, Europe's economy was left in shambles. An estimated millions of people were left homeless. This made communism seem more appealing and easier to spread in East Europe. East Europe almost all became Communist, because of the facts above, as well as how close they were to Russia.
What did the Soviet Union do in WW2?
The Soviet Union in World War II. The Soviet Union joined WW2 on September 17, 1939, when it invaded eastern Poland in coordination with Nazi Germany. The Soviet Union officially maintained neutrality during WW2 but cooperated with and assisted Germany.
The Soviet Domination of Eastern Europe essay
Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin believed that organizing a buffer zone of satellite countries will protect Russia from Western invasion. He realized this vision through the Warsaw Pact, which Russia and six other Eastern European countries signed on May 14, 1955. But the Soviet Union simply used this treaty to exert political, economic and military control … The Soviet Domination of Eastern ...
Soviet policy and the control of Eastern Europe - BBC Bitesize
Study Higher History and assess the ability of the Soviet Union to control Eastern Europe before 1961. Learn about uprisings in Poland, Hungary and Berlin.
How did the Soviet Union influence Eastern Europe after World War Two
The economies of the Eastern Bloc countries mirrored and closely copied Soviet’s models and command economy lines. Stalin felt that socioeconomic transformations were indispensable to establish Soviet control, reflecting the Marxist-Leninist view that material bases, the distribution of the means of production, shaped social and political relations.
Eastern Europe: 1945-1989 - Harvey Mudd College
Psychological Aspects of Communism Rule. The difficulty with understanding the situations in Eastern Europe stems from the fact that is quite difficult to understand how people of a country can let themselves be controlled as they were.
How did the Soviet Union affect the Eastern Bloc?
Despite the critics, the Eastern Bloc countries overall achieved generally high rates of economic and technical progress, promoted industrialization, and ensured steady growth rates of labor productivity and rises in the standard of living. However, western historians claim that because of the lack of market signals, Eastern Bloc economies experienced inadequate, misdirected and underdevelopment by central planners. The Eastern Bloc also depended upon the Soviet Union for import of significant amounts of materials to drive its production facilities , which in turn determined its disintegration fate later.
What was the effect of the Soviet Union on Bulgaria and Romania?
The Bulgarian and Romanian Communist parties had been of negligible influence prior to and during World War II, but the presence of Soviet military forces on Bulgarian and Romanian territory shifted the balance of political power sharply in favor of the Communists during the final months of the war. The new, Soviet-backed governments in both countries initially took the form of coalitions allowing some still popular non-Communist parties to take part as well. Nevertheless, that arrangement was mostly cosmetic and aimed to forestall any immediate frictions with the United States and Britain. No sooner had the governments of both countries been set up that the Communists began methodically eliminating their potential opponents, paving the way for Stalinist transformations.
Why did collectivization help the Soviet Union?
In addition to eradicating the perceived inefficiencies associated with small-scale farming on discontinuous land holdings, collectivization also purported to achieve the political goal of removing the rural basis for resistance to Stalinist regimes. A further justification given was the need to promote industrial development by facilitating the state’s procurement of agricultural products and transferring “surplus labor” from rural to urban areas. In short, the Soviet regimes reorganized all agriculture in order to proletarianise the peasantry and control production at prices determined by the state. However, collectivization often met with strong rural resistance, including peasants frequently destroying property rather than surrendering it to the collective bodies of the state.
What did Stalin think of the Eastern Bloc?
Stalin felt that socioeconomic transformations were indispensable to establish Soviet control , reflecting the Marxist-Leninist view that material bases, the distribution of the means of production, shaped social and political relations. Moscow put its excellent trained cadres into all crucial power positions to fulfill orders regarding sociopolitical transformation. Elimination of the bourgeoisie’s social and financial power by expropriation of land and industrial property was Stalin’s exclusive directive and absolute priority.
What was the role of Moscow in the communist movement?
Moscow decisively secured and strengthened its role in the Communization of the region in September 1947 by the establishment of the Communist Information Bureau (Cominform), a body responsible for biding together the East European Communist parties under the exclusive leadership of the Soviet Communist Party. Stalin himself inspired the establishment of the Cominform driven and motivated by his growing conviction that the East European states must conform to his own harsh methods of dictatorial rule. Stalin’s determination to prevent any further “contamination” from the West in the USSR necessitated the Stalinization of Eastern Europe.
How did the Soviet Bloc work?
The Soviet Bloc system governed its regional economic activity by Five-Year plans, divided into monthly segments and milestones, with government planners frequently attempting to meet plan targets regardless of whether there was hardly any market for the goods being produced at the time. There was a limited coordination between the numerous production departments, which in turn led to some very amusing situations. Emblematic example was the automobile industry where factories could often produce millions of ready-to-drive cars even before there were hardly enough gas stations or roads to let people drive these cars. Nevertheless, once such monthly milestones or Five-Year plans targets had been met, communist propagandists could always boast of the crucial increase in the Soviet Bloc’s vehicle production.
What were the societal organizations of the Eastern Bloc?
Throughout the Eastern Bloc “societal organizations” such as trade unions and associations representing various social, professional and other groups , were monopolized by a single organization for each category. Furthermore, loyal Stalinist cadres dominated and managed all those organizations, which in turn allowed no competition at all.
What was the relationship between Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union?
Additionally, the Eastern European states were integrated into the centrally controlled command economy of the Soviet Union, and external trade with Western Europe or the United States was forbidden. This relationship between the Soviet Union and its client states in Eastern Europe was further solidified in 1955 with the creation of the Warsaw Pact.
What was the relationship between the Soviet Union and its client states in Eastern Europe?
This relationship between the Soviet Union and its client states in Eastern Europe was further solidified in 1955 with the creation of the Warsaw Pact. The Warsaw Pact was an agreement between all of the Soviet client states and the Soviet Union for mutual military protection; that is, if one country was invaded or attacked, all of the other nations would rush to aid that country.
Why did Moscow invade Czechoslovakia?
Fearing the unrest in Czechoslovakia might spread, Moscow resolved to invade Czechoslovakia and reinstall a more conservative communist government. Soviet forces faced minimal opposition as they rolled across Czechoslovakia, swiftly taking control of major cities. Before long, the Soviets had forced Dubcek to step down and imposed a strict form of communism and ended the short-lived freedom of the press. Though guerilla movements fought Soviet troops in the countryside for another year or so, communist order was well and truly restored in Czechoslovakia.
What was the Soviet puppet regime?
The communist puppet regimes the Soviet Union set up in these countries were merely for show; nearly all were under the direct thumb of the Soviet government in Moscow. This control is best exemplified by the severe repression of economic and political reform in Czechoslovakia in 1968.
What was Dubcek's role in the reform movement?
Dubcek was a reformer, by communist standards, and he ended censorship of the press in 1968 and enacted some liberal economic reforms. The relaxation of press censorship allowed for greater public debate concerning communism and anti-communist demonstrations erupted across the country.
Why did the Soviets want to create buffer states?
The Soviets claimed they needed this influence to create a series of buffer states to protect the Soviet homeland from future Western aggression.
What countries did the Soviet Union create?
The Soviets essentially created client states out of most of Eastern Europe in states such as Poland, East Germany, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria. This group of states became known to the West as the Eastern Bloc.
Answer
The Soviet Union enforced great power and influence over Eastern Europe during the years after World War. This was due to the spread of Communism among these countries, which led to the arrival to power of numerous communist regimes throughout Eastern Europe.
New questions in History
Describe the actions of President Santa Anna that made the Texans believe they had the right to start their own provisional government?
What was the relationship between Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union?
Additionally, the Eastern European states were integrated into the centrally controlled command economy of the Soviet Union, and external trade with Western Europe or the United States was forbidden. This relationship between the Soviet Union and its client states in Eastern Europe was further solidified in 1955 with the creation of the Warsaw Pact.
What was the relationship between the Soviet Union and its client states in Eastern Europe?
This relationship between the Soviet Union and its client states in Eastern Europe was further solidified in 1955 with the creation of the Warsaw Pact. The Warsaw Pact was an agreement between all of the Soviet client states and the Soviet Union for mutual military protection; that is, if one country was invaded or attacked, all of the other nations would rush to aid that country.
Why did Moscow invade Czechoslovakia?
Fearing the unrest in Czechoslovakia might spread, Moscow resolved to invade Czechoslovakia and reinstall a more conservative communist government. Soviet forces faced minimal opposition as they rolled across Czechoslovakia, swiftly taking control of major cities. Before long, the Soviets had forced Dubcek to step down and imposed a strict form of communism and ended the short-lived freedom of the press. Though guerilla movements fought Soviet troops in the countryside for another year or so, communist order was well and truly restored in Czechoslovakia.
What was the Soviet puppet regime?
The communist puppet regimes the Soviet Union set up in these countries were merely for show; nearly all were under the direct thumb of the Soviet government in Moscow. This control is best exemplified by the severe repression of economic and political reform in Czechoslovakia in 1968.
What was Dubcek's role in the reform movement?
Dubcek was a reformer, by communist standards, and he ended censorship of the press in 1968 and enacted some liberal economic reforms. The relaxation of press censorship allowed for greater public debate concerning communism and anti-communist demonstrations erupted across the country.
Why did the Soviets want to create buffer states?
The Soviets claimed they needed this influence to create a series of buffer states to protect the Soviet homeland from future Western aggression.
What countries did the Soviet Union create?
The Soviets essentially created client states out of most of Eastern Europe in states such as Poland, East Germany, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria. This group of states became known to the West as the Eastern Bloc.
The Initial Entrenchment and Spread of Communist Rule in Eastern Europe
- The emergence and consolidation of Soviet regimes in Eastern Europe proceeded at varying rates but at somewhat rather fast pace. In Yugoslavia and Albania the indigenous Communist parties led by Josip Tito, Enver Hoxha had obtained a good deal of political advantage and military strength through their participation in the anti-German resistance during World War II. Tito’s and …
Further Changes Introduced: Transformations Billed as Reforms
- The economies of the Eastern Bloc countries mirrored and closely copied Soviet’s models and command economy lines. Stalin felt that socioeconomic transformations were indispensable to establish Soviet control, reflecting the Marxist-Leninist view that material bases, the distribution of the means of production, shaped social and political relations. Moscow put its excellent trained …
Asset Relocation and International Trade Changes, Bans and Restrictions
- At the same time, at the war’s end the Soviet Union adopted a “plunder policy” of physically transporting and relocating east European industrial assets to the Soviet Union. Eastern Bloc states were required to provide various resources such as coal, industrial equipment, technology, rolling stock etc. to reconstruct the Soviet Union. In addition, ...
Introducing The Famous Five-Year Plans: CORE Soviet Economy Principle
- The Soviet Bloc system governed its regional economic activity by Five-Year plans, divided into monthly segments and milestones, with government planners frequently attempting to meet plan targets regardless of whether there was hardly any market for the goods being produced at the time. There was a limited coordination between the numerous production departments, which i…
Flourishing of The Black Markets and Grey Economy
- As a result, black markets emerged to fulfill the gap and need for supplies, goods and ingredients mostly stolen or intentionally hidden from the public sector by the Soviet Regimes. This second “parallel economy” flourished throughout the Soviet Bloc because of rising unmet state consumer needs. Black and grey markets for foodstuffs, goods, and cash arose. Goods included househol…
Further Urbanization and Agricultural Collectivization
- The extensive production industrialization that resulted was not responsive to consumer needs and caused a neglect in the service sector, unprecedented rapid urbanization, acute urban overcrowding, chronic shortages and massive recruitment of women into mostly menial and/or low-paid occupations. The consequent strains resulted in the widespread use of coercion, repre…
Harsh Road Back to Reintegration and Democracy
- During the late 1980s, the weakened, politically unstable and economically exhausted Soviet Union gradually stopped interfering in the internal affairs of Eastern Bloc nations and numerous independence movements took place. Following the Brezhnev stagnation, the reform-minded Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev in 1985 signaled the trend towards greater liberalization. Gorba…