Chapter 20- the Cold War & Postwar Changes The Soviet Union and Eastern Europe

The Soviet Union & Eastern Europe Main Ideas Main Ideas As Soviet leader, Khrushchev initiated policies of de-Stalinization The Soviet Union faced revolts and protests in its attempt to gain and maintain control over Eastern Europe Key Terms heavy industry- the manufacture of machines and equipment for factories and mines de-Stalinization- the process of eliminating some of Stalin’s ruthless policies

The Reign of Stalin The economy of the Soviet Union was devastated by World War II Stalin used harsh tactics to control every aspect of Soviet society all literary and scientific work had to conform to the political needs of the state goods were produced almost exclusively for export money from export goods was used to buy machinery and Western technology

The Reign of Stalin By the end of the 1950s the Soviet Union a became world power new power plants, canals, and giant factories heavy industry increased the testing of the hydrogen bomb in 1953 the launch of the first space satellite Sputnik I in 1957 Stalin died in 1953

The Khrushchev Era After Stalin’s death, Nikita Khrushchev became the chief policy maker in the Soviet Union

The Khrushchev Era Under Khrushchev, de-Stalinization was put in place condemned Stalin for his “administrative violence, mass repression, and terror” loosened government controls on literature placed emphasis on producing consumer goods the government destroyed pictures and statues of Stalin places named after Stalin, such as Stalingrad and Stalin Peak, were renamed during this program to dishonor Stalin

The Khrushchev Era Khrushchev was forced into retirement in 1964 his foreign policy in Cuba failed attempts to increase agricultural output failed the industrial growth rate also declined

Eastern Europe: Behind the Iron Curtain After World War II, Soviet- controlled Communist governments took control of Eastern European countries Eastern European satellite states instituted Soviet-type five-year plans with emphasis on heavy industry They began to collectivize agriculture They set up secret police and military forces

Eastern Europe: Behind the Iron Curtain Exceptions to the pattern of Soviet dominance: Albania, the Communist government grew increasingly independent of the Soviet Union Yugoslavia, led by Tito, was an independent Communist state until Tito’s death in 1980.

Eastern Europe: Behind the Iron Curtain Revolts against communism After Stalin’s death many Eastern European states tried to make reforms The Soviet Union, however, made it clear that it would not allow its Eastern European satellites to become independent In 1956 revolts against communism erupted in Poland, and a series of reforms were adopted Fearful of a Soviet armed response, however, the Poles pledged to remain loyal to the Warsaw Pact

Eastern Europe: Behind the Iron Curtain Imre Nagy Hungarian leader declared Hungary a free nation in 1956 Soviet troops attacked Budapest and reestablished control of the country Alexander Dubček first secretary of the Communist party in Czechoslovakia introduced reforms to the country, including freedom of speech and press the Soviet Army invaded Czechoslovakia, crushed the reform movement, and reestablished Soviet control