Creation of the Communist Bloc

In almost each country, "liberated" by The Red Army, the first communist changes took place before the war was ended. The first step was to get rid of “fascists” and collaborators. The repression encompassed Germans who inhabited Poland and Czechoslovakia. Although it corresponded to the anti- fascist attitudes of local people the repression was accepted and initiated by the communists. Under auspices of the fight with fascism, the wave of terror also aimed at the opponents of communism. People were exiled, murdered, arrested years after the war ended.

In accordance with the settlements of Great Britain, USA and USSR, the Eastern European countries on which territory the Red Army had entered, were to maintain “friendship” with USSR. Roosevelt and Churchill were fully aware of Stalin’s plans; they also knew the nature of the Soviet state, and the crimes that were performed there. Still, the participation in the coalition could be of a great help to win the war, and this is why they propagated Russia in their countries, e.g. by referring to Stalin as "Uncle Josef".

The creation of the communist block started. In all dependent countries (Albania, Bulgaria, Romania, Mongolia, Eastern Germany, Poland, Hungary) Moscow introduced "people's democracy". The term was meant to emphasise the difference between these countries, and the Russian model, yet it had nothing to do with Western democracy.

Manifestation of the first May in the ruins of Warsaw. Mass meetings and manifestations were sign of new totalitarian system.

Indeed, in the period between 1945 – 1947 the changes in the dependent countries departed from the Russian model. The so-called three sectors of economy were introduced, i.e. a division into state, co-operative and private property. The activity of censorship was limited to politics and did not encompass culture or science.

In 1947 Moscow decided to Sovietise its dependants. This entailed changes in political, cultural, economic and social life. The main reason was the collapse of hope to introduce communism to the Western European countries, and a low level of life in USSR, as compared to the dependent countries. Also in USSR the actions meant to liquidate the Russian soldiers who had witnessed a higher level of life abroad were taken. Soldiers who had survived German camps (sic!) or were incorporated into the German army during the war were exiled or sentenced to death.  

Made by Ania Zaremba, Vincent Yau and Kevin Jones