The USSR & Eastern Europe

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The USSR and Eastern Europe

In the aftermath of WW2, communism swept across Eastern Europe.

Spread of communism

In reaction to fascism and the devastation caused by war, left-wing politics gained more traction in Eastern Europe.
Many people were disillusioned with pre-war governments and blamed capitalism for unemployment and inequality.
Communist parties also promised jobs, equality, and stability at a time of widespread economic hardship.

Sphere of influence

At the Yalta Conference, the Allies discussed how to manage post-war Europe.
The term ‘sphere of influence’ refers to an area where one country has strong political, military, or economic control over others.
- Yalta is considered the first clear expression of a Soviet 'sphere of influence' because Stalin was allowed to have more influence in Eastern Europe, while the USA and Britain focused on Western Europe.

Controlling elections

At Yalta, Stalin agreed to the Declaration of Liberated Europe, which stated that countries liberated from Nazi control after the war could hold free elections to choose their governments.
- Communist Parties came to power under the pretence of democracy.
- In reality, opposition leaders were intimidated or removed, and most countries in Eastern Europe did not have genuinely free elections.

Communist states

By 1949, the Soviet Union’s satellite states included Bulgaria, Romania, Poland, Hungary and Czechoslovakia.
The Soviet Union viewed these states as a buffer to the west (as hostilities with the US were escalating) and an opportunity to spread communism.

USSR Control over Eastern Europe After 1945

The USSR established control over Eastern Europe from 1945, using political manipulation, coalitions, and purges in countries like Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, and Yugoslavia.

Czechoslovakia

The USSR supported Benes but allowed communist influence to grow.
The Czech Communist Party won many votes in the 1946 election.
Communists pressured non-communists to lose power by 1948.
The 1948 election saw communist domination and the end of democracy.

Hungary's shift to communism

Hungary held free elections in 1945, winning mostly non-communists.
The secret police controlled by communists suppressed opposition.
The USSR helped rig the 1947 election to favour communists.
By 1948, Hungary was a communist state under Soviet control.

Poland's communist takeover

The USSR formed the Lublin government dominated by communists in 1945.
Poland held elections in 1947, manipulated by Soviet-backed communists.
The coalition government had no real power against the Communist Party.
Opposition politicians were removed or silenced by 1947.

Romania under Soviet influence

Romania's Communist Party gained control after 1945 coalitions.
The USSR demanded reparations from Romania for war damage.
The 1946 elections were falsified to secure communist victory.
King Michael was forced to abdicate after show trials against opponents.

Bulgaria and Yugoslavia's paths

Bulgaria had a communist coalition by 1945, purging the opposition.
- Bulgaria ended its monarchy and created a communist constitution.
Yugoslavia, led by Broz, formed the Popular Front and declared a republic.
- Yugoslavia acted independently, resisting Stalin's full control.

Iran and Turkey

The USSR occupied northern Iran but withdrew due to US and UN pressure.
Turkey allowed the USSR to build a naval base on the Dardanelles.
- The USA opposed Soviet presence in Turkey threatening security.
- Stalin withdrew Soviet forces from Turkey under international pressure.