Soviet dominance

Definition

Soviet dominance refers to the political, military, and economic control exerted by the Soviet Union over Eastern Europe and other regions during the Cold War. This influence manifested through the establishment of communist governments, military alliances like the Warsaw Pact, and a centralized economy in satellite states. It played a crucial role in shaping global tensions and conflicts during this period.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Soviet dominance was solidified after World War II when the Red Army occupied much of Eastern Europe, leading to the establishment of communist governments in countries like Poland, Czechoslovakia, and Hungary.
2. The Soviet Union promoted economic integration through organizations like Comecon, which aimed to coordinate economic policies among communist countries.
3. Soviet dominance led to widespread repression of dissent, as seen in events like the Hungarian Revolution of 1956 and the Prague Spring of 1968, where uprisings were brutally suppressed.
4. The concept of 'Soviet hegemony' was significant during the Cold War as it illustrated the USSR's goal to spread communism globally and counter Western influence.
5. By the 1980s, growing discontent within satellite states, coupled with reforms in the USSR under Mikhail Gorbachev, began to challenge Soviet dominance and set the stage for revolutionary changes.

Review Questions

• How did Soviet dominance shape the political landscape of Eastern Europe after World War II?
  • After World War II, Soviet dominance established a network of communist regimes across Eastern Europe, creating a bloc that aligned politically and ideologically with Moscow. This influence was maintained through military presence, economic ties, and political pressure, which effectively suppressed any movements toward democracy or liberalization. The establishment of these regimes had a lasting impact on regional politics, fostering a climate of repression and control that defined Eastern Europe's post-war experience.
• In what ways did the presence of Soviet dominance contribute to tensions during the Cold War?
  • Soviet dominance heightened tensions during the Cold War by creating a clear ideological divide between East and West. The Iron Curtain symbolized this division and fostered an environment of distrust and hostility, leading to various proxy conflicts around the globe. The military alliances formed by both sides, notably NATO in the West and the Warsaw Pact in the East, further entrenched these divisions, resulting in an arms race that exacerbated global security concerns.
• Evaluate the impact of Gorbachev's reforms on Soviet dominance in Eastern Europe during the late 1980s.
  • Gorbachev's reforms, including Glasnost (openness) and Perestroika (restructuring), significantly weakened Soviet dominance in Eastern Europe by promoting greater transparency and encouraging nationalist movements within satellite states. These reforms created an environment where citizens began to demand political change and greater autonomy from Moscow. As protests grew and regimes faltered, Gorbachev's unwillingness to use military force to maintain control marked a dramatic shift that ultimately led to the collapse of communist governments across Eastern Europe, signaling the end of Soviet dominance.

Related terms

Warsaw Pact: A military alliance formed in 1955 between the Soviet Union and seven Eastern Bloc socialist republics in response to NATO.

Iron Curtain: The metaphorical barrier that divided Western Europe from Eastern Europe during the Cold War, symbolizing the ideological conflict between capitalism and communism.

Satellite States: Countries in Eastern Europe that were politically and militarily dominated by the Soviet Union, often with communist governments imposed by Moscow.