The Soviet Union Chapter 5, Section 3

The Warsaw Pact Also known as the Warsaw Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation, and Mutual Assistance. Members of the alliance agreed to offer military defense to one another for 20 years. Yugoslavia was the only country in Eastern Europe who did not participate. The Warsaw Pact allowed the Soviet Union to keep troops in countries located between the Soviet Union and Western Europe. The Warsaw Pact is in response to the formation of NATO that Western European countries created.

East Against West After World War II, political differences divided the Soviet-controlled countries of Eastern Europe from Western Europe. The Iron Curtain—An invisible wall between Eastern and Western Europe, which prohibited people from the East from traveling outside their countries. Westerners who wanted to visit Eastern Europe faced restrictions.

The Strongest Nation in Europe— The Soviet Union The Soviet Union was official called: The Union of Soviet Socialist Republic. Or, the USSR for short. Included 15 republics; Russia was the largest.

The Strongest Nation in Europe— The Soviet Union (Cont’d) Germany invaded the Soviet Union in 1941, and German troops: Destroyed much of the western Soviet Union. Killed millions of people. Brought the Soviet Union close to collapse. With the defeat of Germany, the Soviet Union became the strongest nation in Europe.

Communism After World War II, the Soviet Union established Communist governments in Eastern Europe. The Soviet Union ensured these countries’ loyalty through force or politics.

Soviet Control of Eastern Europe The Soviet Union controlled these countries through puppet governments. Puppet government—Does what it is told by an outside source. Eastern European governments followed orders from Soviet leaders in Moscow.

Soviet Control of Eastern Europe (Cont’d) Most Eastern Europeans could vote but the Communist Party was their only choice. One-Party System—When voting, there is only one candidate to choose from. Soviets citizens could not complain because they risked being put in jail.

Joseph Stalin Lived from 1879 to 1953. Ruled the Soviet Union during World War II. Took power after the death of Vladimir Lenin, who overthrew the czar in 1917. Stalin means “steel” in Russian. He was very tough, and people were afraid of him.

The Five-Year Plan Under Stalin, the government controlled every aspect of Soviet life. Stalin hoped to strengthen the government with economic goals. Based on the communist theory that benefits the most people.

The Five-Year Plan (Cont’d) The government built factories and determined: Where to locate Type of factory to build Goods to produce Distribution method

Soviet Agriculture Government controlled agriculture. During the 1930s, peasants were forced to move to collective farms, which are government-owned and employed large numbers of workers. All crops produced were distributed by the government. Workers often did not receive enough food for themselves and their families.

The Secret Police Stalin used his secret police to get rid of citizens he did not trust. Secret police arrested citizens who did not approve of Stalin’s government. Suspects were sent to slave-labor camps in Siberia, which is in a cold and remote area of Russia. Sometimes people did not return from Siberia.

The Cold War During World War II, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the Soviet Union shared a common goal: To defeat the Axis Powers. To make that happen, they became allies. After World War II, there was not a common enemy—and no reason to be allies.

The Cold War (Cont’d) Western European countries: Constitutional monarchies Democracies Eastern European countries: Communist Soviet-controlled governments

The Cold War (Cont’d) North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and Warsaw Pact refused to trade or cooperate with one another. Countries never fought so it is called a Cold War. Neither side wanted to start a war because of the fear of nuclear weapons and the possible destruction.

The Cold War (Cont’d) Western European countries feared that the Soviet Union would influence other countries to become Communist. Soviet Union wanted to protect itself against invasion. Countries on both sides of the Iron Curtain viewed and treated the other side as a threat. The Cold War lasted about 40 years.

The End