Emerging superpower rivalries

Actions of the USSR in Eastern Europe 1945-49:

Between 1945 and 1949, Joseph Stalin tightened his control over Eastern Europe. Free elections had been promised at the Yalta conference in 1945 but Stalin ensured that Communist governments were established in Poland, Hungary and Bulgaria. Opposition parties were removed and elections were often rigged. Stalin aimed to create a buffer zone to protect the USSR from future attacks, but the USA saw this as aggressive expansion of Communism. By 1947, Albania, Hungary, Bulgaria, Poland and Romania were all Communist ruled. By the end of 1947, only Czechoslovakia remained free from Communist control until February 1948.

The response of the USA and its allies:

The USA and its allies reacted strongly to Soviet expansion in Eastern Europe, Truman became increasingly determined to stop the spread of Communism. The USA adopted a policy of CONTAINMENT, aiming to limit the spread of Communism. Western countries also criticised the lack of free elections and saw Soviet actions as a threat to democracy. This response increased tensions and deepened the divide between the East and West.

Iron Curtain Speech:

In 1946, Churchill delivered his Iron Curtain speech, warning that Europe was being divided between a Communist East and a Democratic West. He argued that the USSR was expanding its control and called for closer cooperation between the USA and UK. This speech increased fear of Communism in the West and angered Stalin, worsening relations between the superpowers (USA,UK,USSR)