Soviet Expansionism 1945-1947

Reasons for Soviet Expansionism

There was expansionism because there was a fear of being invaded by Germany again and so Churchill and Stalin agreed to a percentage deal where the USSR would be granted power in the east, security in the west. This was also due to the fact that the USSR had suffered the most casualties.

Poland

January 1947 - Elections were rigged and the communists came into power

Romania

March 1945 - Soviet army marched in and set up the communist government with elections in 1946 november being held and the communists ended up winning.

Hungary

With the help of the soviets, the communists took over the government and banned all other parties in August 1947

Bulgaria

After being taken over by the soviets in 1944, a communist government was setup and in November 1945 after rigged elections all other parties were banned.

Czechoslovakia

After a periodd of demovracy in 1948 with the USSR’s help all the other parties were banned with their leaders being arrested.

Consequences

Eastern Europe becomes Communist, Churchill makes the iron curtain speech, Europe becomes further divided and USA begin the policy of containment.