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How successful was Soviet Russia in controlling Eastern Europe, 1945-1992? In this question, we assess the effectiveness and various methods of Soviet control over Eastern Europe during the specified period - Leaving Cert History - Question 1 - 2011
Question 1
How successful was Soviet Russia in controlling Eastern Europe, 1945-1992? In this question, we assess the effectiveness and various methods of Soviet control over ... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:How successful was Soviet Russia in controlling Eastern Europe, 1945-1992? In this question, we assess the effectiveness and various methods of Soviet control over Eastern Europe during the specified period - Leaving Cert History - Question 1 - 2011
Step 1
Assess the establishment of communist regimes
Answer
In the aftermath of World War II, the Soviet Union established communist governments across Eastern Europe, including Poland, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, East Germany, and Bulgaria. These regimes were often installed through political manipulation and electoral coercion, ensuring that pro-Soviet leaders retained power. This aspect of control was quite successful as it created a buffer zone against Western Europe.
Step 2
Evaluate the use of military force
Answer
Soviet military interventions played a crucial role in maintaining control in Eastern Europe. The most notable example is the 1968 invasion of Czechoslovakia, which effectively crushed the Prague Spring reform movement. Such actions demonstrated the lengths to which the USSR would go to sustain its influence and deter any movements towards democracy.
Step 3
Analyze political and economic influence
Answer
The USSR exerted significant political and economic pressure on Eastern Bloc countries. Economically, the Comecon (Council for Mutual Economic Assistance) was established, integrating these economies into a Soviet-dominated framework. However, such control often led to inefficiencies and discontent, laying the groundwork for future dissent.
Step 4
Explore responses from populations
Answer
Reactions to Soviet control varied across the region. Resistance movements and dissidents emerged, advocating for greater freedoms and reform. The Solidarity movement in Poland is a prime example of grassroots opposition that utilized both political and labor strategies to challenge Soviet authority.
Step 5
Consider the long-term impact and conclusion
Answer
By the late 1980s, various factors, including economic decline and the rise of reformist leaders, catalyzed calls for change. The eventual collapse of communist regimes in 1989 marked a significant failure of Soviet control, reflecting the increasingly untenable nature of its influence by the end of the Cold War.