(The USSR’s European Playground
In the Aftermath of World War II, much of Eastern Europe would fall in some way or another into Soviet hands in part of because of Soviet Influence but, mainly as many of new liberated states would have a house guest in Red Army. This meant for the most part the political, social, and economic climates would fall under communist way of doing things. Although, there were some exceptions such as Yugoslavia which, “although Soviet troops had helped drive the Germans from the country, Tito’s Partisans had carried out most of this task. Thus, the Red Army never played the role it had assumed in other countries. Instead, Tito and his Communist followers dominated Yugoslavia from the start. With the cooling of East-West relations, Stalin tried to increase Soviet influence over Tito’s regime. But the Yugoslav leader refused to acquiesce. When the USSR applied economic pressure, instead of buckling under, Tito turned to the West for aid. In the years that followed, Yugoslavia remained Communist but enjoyed independence from both blocs.” (Lyons, 2010, "Aftermath/ Soviet Influence in Eastern Europe.") Another, would be the country of Albania which, would later almost be annexed by Yugoslavia, but due to leadership would eventually, become another Soviet Satellite. The last exception would be Finland, which would remain non-communist but, still had the Big Brother Soviets in their affairs, and as long as the they would play ball would and did remain free. As for the economic situation for most of these countries, following the Stalin style communism it would not be a great thriving economy especially, as, “hey allowed no opposition parties and kept tight control over all aspects of life, including state-controlled economies. Bowing to Soviet pressure, they granted concessions that enabled the USSR to exploit their countries economically. Each government also followed foreign policies that dovetailed closely with that of Moscow.” (Lyons, 2010, "Aftermath/ Soviet Influence in Eastern Europe.") Overall, the picture in Eastern Europe would be painted red for quite sometime, and these satellite states under the all seeing eye of Brother Stalin, would remain one of the toughest places to exit for the coming decades.
In the Aftermath of World War II, much of Eastern Europe would fall in some way or another into Soviet hands in part of because of Soviet Influence but, mainly as many of new liberated states would have a house guest in Red Army. This meant for the most part the political, social, and economic climates would fall under communist way of doing things. Although, there were some exceptions such as Yugoslavia which, “although Soviet troops had helped drive the Germans from the country, Tito’s Partisans had carried out most of this task. Thus, the Red Army never played the role it had assumed in other countries. Instead, Tito and his Communist followers dominated Yugoslavia from the start. With the cooling of East-West relations, Stalin tried to increase Soviet influence over Tito’s regime. But the Yugoslav leader refused to acquiesce. When the USSR applied economic pressure, instead of buckling under, Tito turned to the West for aid. In the years that followed, Yugoslavia remained Communist but enjoyed independence from both blocs.” (Lyons, 2010, "Aftermath/ Soviet Influence in Eastern Europe.") Another, would be the country of Albania which, would later almost be annexed by Yugoslavia, but due to leadership would eventually, become another Soviet Satellite. The last exception would be Finland, which would remain non-communist but, still had the Big Brother Soviets in their affairs, and as long as the they would play ball would and did remain free. As for the economic situation for most of these countries, following the Stalin style communism it would not be a great thriving economy especially, as, “hey allowed no opposition parties and kept tight control over all aspects of life, including state-controlled economies. Bowing to Soviet pressure, they granted concessions that enabled the USSR to exploit their countries economically. Each government also followed foreign policies that dovetailed closely with that of Moscow.” (Lyons, 2010, "Aftermath/ Soviet Influence in Eastern Europe.") Overall, the picture in Eastern Europe would be painted red for quite sometime, and these satellite states under the all seeing eye of Brother Stalin, would remain one of the toughest places to exit for the coming decades.
The Broke but Free Western Europe
The picture in Western Europe, displayed a free but, very strained economically group of countries, as they attempted to put the pieces back together. The political landscape was one of democracy as most countries tried to emulate their own pasts or the governments of those whom freed them, but this would not go unchallenged as several countries had large pockets of communist favoring groups within them, as well as again a really big need for economic relief. This would come in the form of the Truman Doctrine, in which stated that, “the United States would “support free peoples who are resisting attempted subjugation by armed minorities or by outside pressures.” (Lyons, 2010, "Aftermath/ U.S. Aid to Western Europe.") In the same speech, the president proposed to provide economic aid to both Greece and Turkey as well as military advisers and equipment. The president’s speech was tremendously significant because in proclaiming what came to be known as the Truman Doctrine, he launched an entirely new approach to foreign policy.” (Lyons, 2010, "Aftermath/ U.S. Aid to Western Europe.") Additionally, the Marshall Plan coming a year later, devised by Secretary of State George Marshall, which provide economic aid to Europe as a way stave off the threat of communism and rekindle the strong Europe of before. “The venture proved remarkably effective. Between 1948 and 1951, the United States provided credits and goods to European countries amounting to over $12 billion. This infusion of aid greatly stimulated recovery. Industrial production in Western Europe soon equaled prewar levels and by 1951 had surpassed them by 41 percent. The Marshall Plan also laid the basis for Western European economic integration. It required the recipient countries to cooperate in solving mutual economic problems as a prerequisite for aid. This led to a series of joint economic ventures that resulted in the establishment of the European Economic Community (EEC) or Common Market in 1957. Since then the member nations have moved steadily toward both economic and political integration, culminating in the Maastricht Treaty of 1992, which created the European Union, and the introduction of a common currency, the euro, in 2002.” (Lyons, 2010, "Aftermath/ U.S. Aid to Western Europe.") Overall, the Aftermath of World War II left both sides of the Wall in political, economic, and social turmoil but, with help of the Allies it would soon find its feet and return to its former self, even if that self was only a shadow of what it once was.