Why was the Soviet Union able to control most of Eastern Europe following the end of World War ll?
1 Answer
Because it had troops in the countries and was actively putting communist governments in power that supported the USSR immediately after liberation.
Explanation:
Having Russian Army Units readily available to put down any rebellion gave the Soviets an advantage over other influences.
Many of the Eastern Bloc countries had governments in exile in London during the war (like Poland) but they were unable to get a western aligned government installed because Stalin wasn't having it. Stalin wanted a large buffer zone between the USSR and the West in case fighting was renewed post war.
Post War politics descended rapidly into the Cold War. Western governments had limited access to the Eastern Bloc countries and Western influenced Nationalists were rapidly rounded up and killed or jailed. The Communists actively screened returning nationals for political sympathies.
The Soviets created their own National governments (and Armies) in exile parallel to those in London and made sure they had every advantage as the countries were liberated from the Nazis.
Communists were also actively pursued and harassed in the West.
