How did the Soviet Union come to dominate Eastern Europe after World War II?
A.
by supporting communist parties in democratic elections
B.
by keeping troops in the region and setting up communist governments
C.
by agreeing with the United States to divide Europe in half
D.
by making a separate peace agreement with Germany
B. by keeping troops in the region and setting up communist governments
The correct answer is B. The Soviet Union came to dominate Eastern Europe after World War II by keeping troops in the region and setting up communist governments. To understand this, we need to look at the historical context.
After World War II, the Soviet Union had suffered immense losses and devastation. They were determined to create a buffer zone of friendly governments in Eastern Europe to protect themselves from any potential future invasions. The Soviet Union used their military might and political influence to establish communist governments in Eastern Europe countries such as Poland, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Romania, Bulgaria, and East Germany.
One of the key ways they achieved this domination was by stationing their troops in these countries even after the war had ended. This ensured that the Soviet Union maintained control over the governments and undermined any opposition. They used these military forces to intimidate and suppress resistance from local populations, effectively establishing puppet governments that were loyal to Moscow.
These communist governments were often supported by local communist parties, but it was the military presence and backing from the Soviet Union that allowed them to gain and maintain power. The Soviet Union's dominance in Eastern Europe was a result of their military occupation, political influence, and the establishment of loyal communist governments.