Josef Stalin: Expanding Soviet Influence
- Stalin's primary goal was to create a buffer zone of satellite states in Eastern Europe to protect the Soviet Union from future invasions.
- This was achieved through:
- The establishment of communist governments in countries like Poland, Hungary, and Czechoslovakia
- The creation of the Cominform (1947) to coordinate communist activities
Unlike other Eastern European countries, Yugoslavia's communist government was established independently of Soviet intervention.
Expansion of Marxist-Leninist Ideology
- Stalin sought to spread communism globally, supporting movements in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
- This expansionist approach alarmed Western powers and intensified the Cold War.
Stalin's actions in Eastern Europe were perceived by the West as aggressive, leading to the development of the U.S. policy of containment.
Stalin's Role in Key Cold War Events
The Berlin Blockade (1948-1949)
- Stalin's attempt to force the Allies out of West Berlin by cutting off all land access to the city.
- The blockade was countered by the Berlin Airlift, a major Cold War victory for the West.
