Soviet Union and Eastern

EuropeBy: Emma Bunting and Juven Mizero

Map of Soviet Union and Eastern Europe

Methods used to control the Empire

The Soviet Union used a combination of military, economic and political control to achieve power.

Tsar Nicholas II was overthrown and Soviet Union became officially established with the union of the Russian, Ukrainian, Belarusian, and Transcaucasian Soviet republics and they were each ruled by local Bolshevik parties.

In industry, the state assumed control over all existing enterprises and undertook an intensive program of industrialization. In agriculture, collective farms were established all over the country.

The Soviet military won several victories and emerged as a military superpower and also had economic strength.

Maintaining Control The Soviet Union was in power for 69 years (1922 to

1991) It was able to maintain control over the regions it

conquered due to having a superior army which could easily impose the government's laws on the people.

Also the people under the Soviet's rule had to renounce any religious or cultural practices since they did not conform to the communist ideals to the said government.

In doing this, the pressure of revolt and ideas to revolt was lowered.

Collapse of the Soviet Union

Initially, the Soviet Union and its Eastern European satellites fought in World War II, losing a lot of money and resources in the process.

This event results in political, economic, and nationalist-related discord ensuing for years to come.

Leaders were too slow to act upon this fault and so tensions began to cumulate further until people could not take it any more.

By 1991, the leaders had lost control completely and the empire was no longer in power.