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In the 1940s, fascist monarchies in Bulgaria and Romania were replaced by left-wing governments (those who oppose and try to overthrow the rulers), which soon became allied with USSR. Vulko Chervenkov became president of Bulgaria in 1950, introducing strict policies like those of Stalin’s. Romania was dominated by two leaders: Georghe Gehorghiu-Dej (1945-1965) and Nicolae Ceausescu (1965-1989).

Poland

After the war, Poland was taken over by communists supported by Stalin. Food shortage and political restrictions led to protests by the people. In the 1970s, martial law (the military enforcing the law) was introduced to end the unrest. The Catholic Church and the trade unions opposed this, which later caused the fall of the government.