The Soviet take-over of Eastern Europe
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on Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania or Bulgaria to view the
details of the Soviet take-over.
Poland
Stalin's first priority was to take control of
Poland. Poland was a 'buffer zone' by which Germany had already attempted
to pass in order to invade the USSR. It was essential for Stalin to be in
control of Poland as a defense from Western threat.
In June 1945 the Polish government only partially consisted of London
Poles and was largely dominated by Lublin Poles. On the 5th of July 1945
Britain and the USA accepted that Warsaw was under Communist control by 'recognising'
the strong communist government. In January 1947 this control was taken a
step further by the rigged elections held in Poland. Beirut becomes the
Communist leader whilst Mikolaczyk, the leader of the London Poles, flees
the country.
Romania
After Poland, Stalin turned to Romania and Bulgaria as areas to control. His first step was to set up soviet-dominated coalition governments in 1944 as his Red Army swept through. In February 1945, almost a year later, within a few days of the Yalta agreement, Andrei Vyshinsky, a top Soviet politicians, ordered the Romanian King to appoint a new prime minister, chosen by Stalin. After disagreement from the King Vyshinsky violently showed his discontent by slamming his fist down on the table and shouting at him. Shortly after a new prime minister was appointed to the Romanian government and by mid-1945 Communists were strongly in control of Romania. The Romanian monarchy was abolished in 1947.
Bulgaria
Many of the general events that occurred in Romania were also happening in Bulgaria. In November 1945 elections took place and being rigged, it was by no surprise that Communist Fatherland won. In September 1946 the Communist government of Bulgaria abolished the monarchy enabling a total control.
Hungary
In contrast with the take-over of Poland, Bulgaria and Romania, in Hungary Stalin organized a free vote in November 1945. Failing in these elections, another 'fresh' vote was organized in August 1947. These elections were rigged and the communist party won by an imposing majority. November of that year all non-communist parties were banned, in the same way as all non-Nazis parties were banned in Germany.
Czechoslovakia
The final stage of the take-over of Eastern Europe came in 1948 with the seizing of power in Czechoslovakia. It had a strong communist party and was ruled by a coalition of communists. Fair election were held in 1946 in which the communist party won 38% of votes. In 1947 there was an economic crisis due to the bad harvest and downfall of industry. Elections were to be held in 1948. Communists were afraid they would lose and used force instead to seize power. Jan Masaryk the Foreign Minister was murdered and later rigged elections enabled the communists to win by a large majority which completed the Soviet take-over.