Final answer:
Following the fall of Soviet power, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, and Poland declared independence and transitioned to democratic governance and market economies. They later became members of NATO and the European Union, aligning more closely with Western Europe.
Step-by-step explanation:
Following the withdrawal of Soviet influence in Eastern Europe, a number of satellite states underwent significant political and social changes. Four of these states are Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, and Poland. Each experienced a move towards independence and democracy after the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
Latvia: Declared independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 and saw Russian troops withdraw in 1994. Joined NATO and the EU in 2004, transitioning to a market economy and democracy.
Lithuania: Declared independence from the Soviet Union in 1990 and experienced Russian troop withdrawal in 1993. Joined NATO and the EU in 2004, developing a market economy and democratic governance.
Estonia: Declared independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 after asserting its sovereignty in 1988. Russian troop withdrawal was completed in 1994 and it joined NATO and the EU in 2004, transitioning to a market economy and democratic governance.
Poland: Shed its Communist government in 1989 and transitioned to a democratic government and market-based economy. Became a member of NATO in 1999 and joined the EU in 2004, integrating into the broader European community.
The collapse of Communism and the subsequent dissolution of the Soviet Union prompted each of these states to establish independent, sovereign nations and embark upon significant economic and political reforms in an effort to integrate into the European community.