Between
1945-1948 the Soviets under Stalin consolidated their power in Eastern
Europe. Poland, East Germany, Czechoslovakia, Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary
became part of the "Soviet Bloc" – or "satellite
system." Within the communist parties of these countries there
were purges to remove national communists - one in four were removed.
Yugoslavia under Tito was an exception to Soviet control. It practiced
"national communism" and was able to remain independent
largely due to western economic aid.
As
early as 1946, Winston Churchill saw what was happening. “An
Iron Curtain has descended upon Europe”
Push
to hear an excerpt from Winston Churchill's famous "Iron Curtain"
speech
