How had the USSR gained control over eastern europe

How had the USSR gained control over

eastern Europe by 1948?

Tom waters & Shaun O’Sullivan

Pre- WWII Europe

Europe 1948

Why The USSR Want To Control Eastern Europe

• For a Buffer zone against western attack the east would take the hit before Russia did

• Help the spread of communism

How Stalin was able to control

• Chaos after WWII made it possible:• No European Governments• Secret police • Need to restore law and order• European economy was shattered:• Soviets offered aid to pro USSR countries• Forced European countries trade with USSR

How was Stalin able to take control of eastern Europe

• European people were hopeful• USSR had amazing economical growth

because of WWII• Soviet communism offered a stable

government• Protection of a superpower

Cominform

• Information Bureau of the Communist and Workers' Parties

How the Soviets took control over individual countries: Albania

• During WWII the Albanian communist party was set up.

• After WWII Albanian became an ally of the USSR

How the Soviets took control over individual countries: Bulgaria

• 1945 election communist led coalition was set up

• Communists executed non communists• Became a people republic in 1946

How the Soviets took control over individual countries: East Germany

• Under Soviet control at the end of the war• Set up Communist-controlled state called the

German Democratic Republic

How the Soviets took control over individual countries: Romania

• In the 1945 elections, a Communist-led coalition was elected to power

• Abolished monarchy In 1947• Economic and military control

How the Soviets took control over individual countries: Poland

• Stalin guaranteed pro/anti communist government

• Arrested non communist leaders• Arrested thousands of non-communists • Permanent stationing of red army troops

How the Soviets took control over individual countries: Hungary

• Communists took control of the secret police in the non-communist government

• The head of the Catholic Church was imprisoned

• Communist executed and imprisoned opponents

How the Soviets took control over individual countries: Czechoslovakia

Coalition was set up and led by non communistsCommunists took control of the radio army and

policeCommunists arrested non communistsCommunist party of Czechoslovakia won 1948

elections