Question

During the post-war period, the USSR was able to control Poland and Hungary by

setting up puppet governments there.
keeping Soviets troops stationed there.
supporting their democratic governments.
allowing people to elect their own officials.rebuild Europe’s economy.
stop communism.
strengthen the USSR.
boost the United Nations.

Answer 1

The USSR controlled Poland and Hungary post-World War II by establishing puppet governments and maintaining a Soviet military presence to ensure the dominance of communist ideology over democratic processes.

Step-by-step explanation:

During the post-war period, the USSR was able to control Poland and Hungary primarily by setting up puppet governments and keeping Soviet troops stationed in these countries. Despite initially promised democratic elections at the Yalta and Potsdam conferences, the Soviet Union leveraged its military presence to secure communist governments that mirrored its own system. This alignment with the Soviet Union was to create a buffer zone and increase security, as Eastern European countries were seen as a protective barrier against any future invasions from the West.

Soviet control was secured by backing communist parties in elections, silencing anti-communist opposition, and using the Red Army to ensure establishment and maintenance of these single-party states. Stalin’s goal was to expand Soviet influence while also safeguarding the USSR from possible threats. The Soviet-backed governments were characterized by totalitarian rule and suppression of democratic principles and opposition.

Answer 2

In the post-war period, the Soviets dominated and made decisions on all important issues in the countries of the so-called Warsaw Pact. If there was an indication that some of the states of the eastern block had a tendency to make a decision independently, or would oppose the will of the Soviet Union, there would be an intervention by the Soviets. This is the case with Poland and Hungary. For example, in Hungary, elections were held after the war, in which the communists had only 17% of the votes, while the independent smallholders party won 57% of the votes. The Soviets reacted through their people in Hungary. Commander Voroshilov refused to recognize the results of the election, and with the Communists established a coalition government. Similar was also in Poland and all other countries of the eastern block.

The Soviets could do this with the help of the puppet governments, and their troops stationed there, that supported such marionette governments.