Eastern European Political Dynamics

The video explores the origins of the Cold War, focusing on the Soviet Union's expansion into Eastern Europe from 1945 to 1949. It examines Stalin's motivations, including the creation of a buffer zone and the spread of communism. The video discusses methods used by the USSR to expand influence, such as forming coalitions and framing the USSR as anti-fascist. It also covers control mechanisms like Cominform and the Warsaw Pact. Case studies of Soviet expansion in Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania, East Germany, and Czechoslovakia are presented.

What was the primary focus of the Cold War origins discussed in the video?

• The rise of Nazi Germany

• The Soviet occupation of Eastern Europe

• The role of the United Nations

• The economic policies of the USA

What was one of Stalin's motivations for expanding Soviet influence in Eastern Europe?

• To promote global capitalism

• To establish a buffer zone against Western capitalist states

• To reduce military spending

• To form alliances with Western Europe

Which of the following was a method used by the USSR to expand its influence in Eastern Europe?

• Offering economic aid to Western Europe

• Promoting democratic elections

• Direct military invasion

• Framing the USSR as anti-fascist

How did the USSR maintain control in Eastern European countries?

• By forming coalitions with other communist groups

• By reducing military presence

• By promoting free market policies

• By encouraging Western alliances

What was the purpose of the Common Form established in 1947?

• To promote free trade in Eastern Europe

• To create a military alliance with the USA

• To establish a new economic system

• To coordinate communist parties across Europe

What was the role of the Warsaw Pact established in 1955?

• To create a new political ideology

• To establish a cultural exchange program

• To assert military control over Eastern Europe

• To promote economic cooperation

Which Eastern European country had a leader who refused to align with Soviet beliefs and was expelled from the Common Form?

• East Germany

• Poland

• Yugoslavia

• Romania

Which country experienced a coalition government that led to a single-party state under communist control?

• France

• Hungary

• Italy

• Spain

What was the outcome of the coalition government in Czechoslovakia?

• An alliance with Western Europe

• A peaceful transition to democracy

• A coup d'état leading to communist control

• The establishment of a monarchy

What was a common strategy used by the USSR to establish single-party rule in Eastern European countries?

• Reducing military presence

• Promoting capitalist ideologies

• Forming coalitions and purging non-communists

• Encouraging democratic elections