Although the Soviet Union was victorious in World War II, its economy had been devastated in the struggle. To help rebuild the country, the Soviet government obtained money from Britain and Sweden but refused economic assistance proposed by the United States under the Marshall Plan.

 Instead, the Soviet Union compelled Soviet-occupied Eastern Europe to supply machinery and raw materials. Germany and former Nazi satellites (including Finland) made reparations to the Soviet Union.

 The countries that the USSR took control of were formally controlled by Germany during WW2  Under the Yalta Agreement the USSR was allowed to occupy the countries they “liberated” from Germany  These countries become communist after WW2

 Poland  East Germany  Hungary  Romania  Bulgaria  Austria-until 1955  Czechoslovakia

 You all have been given a blank map of Eastern Europe.  Using the map on the screen as a reference find the countries that were taken over by Russia as well as the other communist and non-communist countries not under Russian control and fill their name in on the map.  After you complete this write a short paragraph on what countries you think Russia may invade next and why.  In doing this think about Russia's desire to gain control and their fear of the western countries.