Spheres of Influence and Buffer Zones Flashcards

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In the Cold War, what is meant by a "sphere of influence"?

It is an area where one country has strong control over another country’s politics and ideas.

What is a "buffer zone" and why did Stalin want one after 1945?

A buffer zone is a ring of friendly states around a country to protect it from attack. Stalin wanted one to guard the USSR from any future invasion from the West.

Which part of Europe became the Soviet sphere of influence after the Second World War?

Eastern Europe became the Soviet sphere of influence.

What did the Allies agree about Eastern Europe at the Yalta Conference in 1945?

They accepted that Eastern Europe would be in the Soviet sphere of influence but said there should be free elections.

How did Stalin turn Eastern European countries into communist states?

He used methods like controlling the police, fixing elections and removing non-communist leaders from coalition governments.

Name three countries that became part of the Soviet buffer zone in Eastern Europe.

Poland, Hungary and Czechoslovakia were all part of the Soviet buffer zone.

Why did the Soviet buffer zone in Eastern Europe worry the USA and Britain?

They feared it showed Stalin was spreading communism and building an empire that could threaten Western Europe.

How did Churchill describe the Soviet sphere of influence in his 1946 speech?

He said an "Iron Curtain" had fallen across Europe, dividing East and West.

How did Soviet buffer states help cause the Cold War?

They increased mistrust, because the West thought the USSR was preparing to spread its power further.

What is one key difference between a sphere of influence and a buffer zone?

A sphere of influence is about control over other countries, while a buffer zone is about using nearby countries as a protective barrier against attack.

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