What Were the Methods the USSR Used to Impose Their Control Over Eastern Europe and how Effective Were They?

The USSR's influence and domination of Eastern Europe during the 40's and the 50's of the previous century has left indisputable marks upon the region's economic, political and global status, evident still today. As to how this Soviet control was garnered and maintained, and the measure of effectiveness it had, there are two main time periods to examine, namely, Eastern Europe under Stalin, and destalinised Russia under Khrushchev. If control were defined as the "ability to authorize, manage or direct", the former time period would be relatively more effective than the latter. …