Answer: The Soviet Union had a head start when it dealt with East Germany after WW2. The two most radical groups in Germany before the war were the Nazi's and the Communists. There was little doubt in the early 1930's that Stalin had a great influence on the Communist Party in Germany.
Explanation: After the War, a new Communist regime was placed in power with the military backing of the Soviet Union. The home grown Party members with the backing of the Soviet Union helped maintain East Germany as part of the Soviet Block.