Eastern Bloc countries | Historical, economic and social situations

After the Second World War, the European continent has undergone enormous social, political and economic changes. The Soviet period and the Eastern Bloc countries also play an important role in this. We have done a detailed research on the Eastern Bloc countries for you.

What are Eastern Bloc countries?

Eastern Bloc countries are defined as a geographic and political region where the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) and European Eastern Bloc countries are located. These are the countries under the influence of the USSR and where communist ideology is practiced.

Historical Background of the Eastern Bloc Countries, II. It covers the period after World War II. During this period, most of Europe was controlled by communist governments as a result of Soviet intervention. These countries began to develop rapidly in the economic and social field with the help of the USSR, but at the same time they were under strict ideological control.

The Eastern Bloc countries were under the influence of both Soviet influence and communist regimes. These countries were defined as an economic union controlled by the Soviet government and supported by goods and services provided by the USSR. The historical background of the Eastern Bloc countries came to an end with the rise of privatization and democratization movements, and these countries are now defined as members of the European Union.

What are the Eastern Bloc countries?

Eastern Bloc countries are countries under the influence of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) where communist ideology is practiced. These countries are historically characterized by tight ideological control and limited freedoms during the Soviet era. Here are the Eastern Bloc countries;

• People’s Republic of Albania
• People’s Republic of Bulgaria
• Czechoslovakia
• East Germany
• Hungarian People’s Republic
• People’s Republic of Poland
• Romania
• Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

History of Eastern Bloc countries

Existing either directly as a Soviet republic or as a “satellite state” since 1945, the former Eastern Bloc member states entered a new phase after the Cold War, which officially ended with the dissolution of the Soviet Union. This process took place in different ways depending on the geographical location of the countries involved.

Among the former members of the Eastern Bloc, those who are in European geography, with the exception of Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova, have turned to the goal of belonging to the Western countries by joining organizations such as the EU and NATO. To achieve the above goal, the conditions of the West had to be met, namely, on the one hand, the reorganization of the country’s economy with an understanding of the free market and, on the other hand, the adoption of a political system in accordance with Western democratic norms.

Therefore, these countries entered a painful period of transition through the implementation of the structural change programs defined as “shock therapy” envisioned by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). These countries, supported by the EU with the resources they provided within the framework of their own organizational goals and needs, were quickly integrated into the international economic system.

Similarly, the multi-party system that had been in place since the early 1990s took hold and liberal, pro-Western parties came to power. These countries have applied for EU membership since the mid-1990s and have been prepared for membership by the EU.

The former Eastern Bloc countries that have joined the Western world through the EU will join NATO in the first half of the 2000s, just like the EU.

Economic and social situation of Eastern Bloc countries

The economic and social situation of the Eastern Bloc countries was formed in an environment where communist ideology was practiced throughout the Soviet period. In these countries, there was an economic structure in which the state controlled most economic activities and individual initiative was limited. As a result, the level of growth and prosperity in these countries was lower than in other European countries. However, this situation may change during the Soviet period and it is clear that some Eastern Bloc countries have a better economic situation than others.

Socially, the Eastern Bloc countries were also under the influence of communist ideology throughout the Soviet period. In these countries, the state social services and education system were more developed than in other European countries. However, this situation may change during the Soviet era, and human rights violations and social injustice may also occur in some Eastern Bloc countries.

Soviet era and Eastern Bloc countries

Eastern Bloc countries are the countries that were under the influence of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) during the Soviet period. These countries, II. These are the countries that came under the control of the USSR after World War II and where communist ideology was practiced.

The Soviet period was a period of very tight ideological control and limited freedoms for the Eastern Bloc countries. The USSR created a strong state structure in these countries and ensured control in all areas, economic, social and cultural. During this period, the Eastern Bloc countries were defined as part of the Soviet Economic Union and supported by the goods and services provided by the USSR.

However, during the Soviet period, due to the emergence of a major economic crisis for the Eastern Bloc countries and the weakening of the Soviet structure, these countries began democratization and privatization movements. The Soviet era ended with the dissolution of the USSR in 1991 and these countries are today defined as members of the European Union.

What does Eastern Bloc mean?

The Eastern Bloc defines the group of European countries ruled by the Soviet regime and adopting the communist ideology.

Which countries are counted among the Eastern Bloc countries?

Eastern Bloc countries are the People’s Republic of Albania, the People’s Republic of Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, East Germany, the People’s Republic of Hungary, the People’s Republic of Poland, Romania, and the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

When were the Eastern Bloc countries formed?

The Eastern Bloc countries were formed as a result of the expansion policy of the Soviet regime after World War II and continued to exist throughout the Soviet period (1945-1991).