How Did The Cold War Affect East Europe
INTRODUCTION
In 1945, post-World War II, Eastern Europe was somewhat divided into two sets of states; Germany and its former allies (including Romania and Hungary), and countries who had fallen victim to the Nazi regime (including Poland and Czechoslovakia). The continent of Europe itself was left in a ravaged and desolate state after the war, leaving its economies in disrepair; most notably in the East. Due to the dire social and economic situations in these eastern countries, there was a growing, yet substantial desire for political change throughout the populous of this region. The location of these states, primarily situated near the border of the communist empire of the Soviet Union, would come to play a critical role in the political and social developments in Eastern Europe for decades to come.
POST-WWII EUROPE
In February 1945, the Yalta Conference was held in the Russian town of Crimea. Despite the fact that Germany had not yet lost the war, the …show more content…
The Allies allowed this Soviet action in Polish affairs as Poland now fell into the accepted Soviet sphere of influence, in which the USSR were allowed use their overwhelming influence over the eastern European countries as they saw fit. This change was implemented effectively largely due to the enormous presence of Soviet troops in Poland who had remained there under orders after liberating the country.
In 1947, democratic elections were held, although it was merely for show as only one small party, by then harassed by the communists into insignificance, ran in opposition of the communists. The communists won 417 of 434 available seats in the election , effectively ending any resistance to communist rule. Within two years, the Polish People’s Republic was established and communism was in full
In 1945, post-World War II, Eastern Europe was somewhat divided into two sets of states; Germany and its former allies (including Romania and Hungary), and countries who had fallen victim to the Nazi regime (including Poland and Czechoslovakia). The continent of Europe itself was left in a ravaged and desolate state after the war, leaving its economies in disrepair; most notably in the East. Due to the dire social and economic situations in these eastern countries, there was a growing, yet substantial desire for political change throughout the populous of this region. The location of these states, primarily situated near the border of the communist empire of the Soviet Union, would come to play a critical role in the political and social developments in Eastern Europe for decades to come.
POST-WWII EUROPE
In February 1945, the Yalta Conference was held in the Russian town of Crimea. Despite the fact that Germany had not yet lost the war, the …show more content…
The Allies allowed this Soviet action in Polish affairs as Poland now fell into the accepted Soviet sphere of influence, in which the USSR were allowed use their overwhelming influence over the eastern European countries as they saw fit. This change was implemented effectively largely due to the enormous presence of Soviet troops in Poland who had remained there under orders after liberating the country.
In 1947, democratic elections were held, although it was merely for show as only one small party, by then harassed by the communists into insignificance, ran in opposition of the communists. The communists won 417 of 434 available seats in the election , effectively ending any resistance to communist rule. Within two years, the Polish People’s Republic was established and communism was in full