Satellite states, expansionism and containment

• Expansionism


  A policy of wanting to take over more land or spread economic or political influence
• The Soviet satellite states were countries that were liberated by the Red Army at the end of the war
• The Soviet satellite states were in the Soviet sphere of influence and then formed Stalin's buffer zone to defend against possible invasion from the West
• How Poland became a satellite state

  1. At Tehran conference UK an US agreed USSR would get it's pre 1921 borders back from Poland
  2. Polish gov in exile in London didn't agree but it became part of Yalta agreement
  3. In Aug 1944 London Polish gov staged an uprising against Germans and Red army -> Warsaw uprising
  4. The rising failed and the London Poles were forced to join the Government of the Soviets put in place in June 1945
  5. In Jan 1947 384/444 seats were won by communist in rigged election, then one- party state
• How Hungary became a satellite state

  1. Elections in 1947 voters intimidated

  2. Moscow supported Communist campaign

  3. One party state by 1949
• Why Stalin was able to create satellite states

  • Military power to enforce expansionist policies
  • Countries in Eastern Europe grateful to be freed from Nazis and wanted Soviet protection
• Soviet expansion into Eastern Europe


  Truman more determined to contain Communism
• Soviet expansion was possible because they had troops available
• Soviet expansion was possible because countries in Eastern Europe were grateful to be liberated
• One consequence of Soviet expansion into Eastern Europe was that Stalin established a buffer zone of Communist one party states on his Western border to defend the Soviet Union from possible invasion