Aim: Explain How Soviet Domination of Eastern Europe Developed

Eastern Europe’s Iron Curtain Major goal of the Soviet Union Shield itself from another invasion from west Lacked natural western borders At WWII end, Soviet troops occupied a strip of countries along their own border Stalin regarded these countries as a necessary buffer (wall of protection) Buffer included Albania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Romania, Poland, & Yugoslavia Europe now lay divided between East & West Germany split into 2 sections Soviets controlled eastern part (Berlin) Churchill referred to Europe’s divisions as the “iron curtain” 2

United States Tries to Contain Soviets US-Soviet relations continued to worsen between 1946-1947 Pres. Truman adopted a foreign policy of containment Policy directed at blocking Soviet influence & stopping the expansion of communism Policy included forming alliances & helping weak countries resist Soviets Truman’s support for countries that rejected communism was called the Truman Doctrine Congress authorized aid of $400 million Much of Europe lay in ruins 1947: US Secretary of State George Marshall proposed that US give aid (food, machinery) to needy European countries Program called Marshall Plan 4

The Berlin Airlift US & its allies clashed with the Soviet Union over Germany Soviets wanted to keep their former enemy weak & divided 1948: France, Britain, & the US decided to withdraw their forces from Germany & allow their occupation zones to form one nation Soviets responded by holding West Berlin hostage (Berlin Blockade) American & British officials flew food & supplies into West Berlin for nearly 11 months (Berlin Airlift) May 1949: Soviet Union admitted defeat & lifted the blockade 5