19.1.4

Satellite States

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Satellite States

The creation of Soviet 'satellite states' in Eastern Europe were important in early US-Soviet relations.

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Satellite states

  • 'Satellite states' are countries that are officially independent, meaning they make their own rules and laws like any other country.
  • However in reality they are influenced or controlled (politically, economically and/or militarily) by another country.
  • This control can be a lot or a little.
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Poland

  • The allies had agreed that Poland would be a democracy.
  • However, Stalin broke this promise.
  • He turned it into a satellite state (a country unofficially controlled by the Soviet Union).
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Buffer zones

  • The Soviet Union had been invaded twice by Germany (in 1914 and 1941).
  • This had caused huge territorial, industrial and human loss.
  • Because of this Stalin viewed the satellite states as a necessary buffer against invasion.
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Rigged elections

  • The Soviet Union had promised free and fair elections in neighbouring countries, but they went back on their promise between 1947 and 1949.
  • Everyone did not choose communism as the Soviets had thought they would.
  • So Stalin fixed the elections to ensure the Communist Party would win.
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Salami tactics

  • After the elections, opposition was shut down.
    • This was known as ‘salami tactics’.
  • In the late 1940s, communist leaders were installed in:
    • Bulgaria, Romania, Poland, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, East Germany.
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The Soviet justification

  • The Soviet Union’s actions were seen by America and Britain as an attempt at spreading communism.
    • They saw this as a direct threat to the West and capitalism.
  • But Stalin said it was to create a buffer zone in Eastern Europe to protect the USSR from attack.

Jump to other topics

1Empires East & West: 1000 AD

1.1The Rise & Fall of Ancient China’s Empire

1.2The Medieval Greatness of the Byzantine Empire

1.3The Golden Age of the Islamic Empire

1.4The Politics & Power of the Holy Roman Empire

1.5Medieval Religion

1.6The Influence of the Church in Medieval Times

1.7How Religion Tested the Power of Kings

1.8Dynastic Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.9Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.10Revolts, Rebellions & Rights

1.11Medieval England & Her Neighbours

1.12European Renaissance

1.13Norman Conquest & Control

1.14Historical Skills

2The Medieval World: 450-1450 AD

2.1Anglo-Saxon England

2.2The Contest for the English Throne

2.3Conquering the Holy Land, 10-96-1396 AD

2.4King John

2.5The Magna Carta & Parliament

2.6The Black Death

3Worldviews

4The Empire of Mali: 1076-1670 AD

5The Renaissance & Reformations: 1500-1598 AD

6The British Empire: 1583-1960 AD

7The Peasants' Revolt: 1381 AD

8Religion in the Middle Ages

9Slavery: 1619-1833 AD

10The English Civil War: 1642-1660 AD

11The Industrial Revolution: 1750-1840 AD

12US Independence: 1775-1783 AD

13The French Revolution: 1789-1815 AD

14The British Empire: 1857–1930 AD

15Suffrage: 1840-1928 AD

16World War 1: 1914-1918 AD

17The Inter-War Years: 1919-1939 AD

18World War 2: 1939-1945 AD

19The Cold War: 1947-1962 AD

20Civil Rights in the USA: 1954-1975 AD

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