The 8th of May 1945 is an important date.Not only that is the day when the Second World War ended, but also it is the day in which Europe was divided in two zones.What determined this division was the communist doctrine.The US and the USSR were the two big nations, which 'saved' the world from the catastrophe of Nazism; also, they were the only countries, which were still 'active' after the world ended. This is why the two of them were elected as 'patrons' of the new Europe.Britain was as well the winner of the war, being in alliance with both America and Russia, however its loyalty to the ...view middle of the document...
Therefore, the impact of communism was much greater in Eastern Europe than in Western Europe.Encouraged by Moscow, the governments of Eastern Europe countries nationalised industry, established collective farms, controlled the media, arrested leading opponents, and rigged elections.By 1948, almost all these communist states took explicit orders from Moscow, Yugoslavia being the main exception.Stalin's intention was primarily to have friendly states near Russia borders.Since, all these nations acted against Russia in the past supporting or being under Germany control, now the communist leader wanted to make sure not to have any more threats.Although the reality was the Stalin feared a German reunification, the West interpreted Soviet moves as expansionist.It may be arguer that the impact of the communist philosophy was huge in both zones; the only difference being that in Eastern Europe it was direct, whereas in Western Europe it was indirect, or implicit.Both America and Russia were suspicious of each other: no matter what decision Russia took, the US was always in alarm, and vice versa.Communism was seen as a threat to the West; however America could not intervene since Russia acted only in its own zone.The Hungarian protest in which students where killed because against the dictatorship.This situation did get worse, leading to the so-called Cold War.
