Soviet influence over Eastern Europe by 1948
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain how the USSR established satellite states to take control of eastern Europe between 1945 and 1948.
Key learning points
- Stalin agreed to free elections in Eastern Europe at Yalta but had no intention of allowing this.
- Stalin believed Soviet control of Eastern Europe was essential to protect the USSR from any future invasion.
- From 1945 to 1948, the USSR used similar methods to turn most Eastern European countries into Soviet satellite states.
- The USSR's establishment of satellite states in Eastern Europe significantly increased Cold War tension.
- Churchill's 'Iron Curtain' speech in 1946 was a response to Soviet expansion into Eastern Europe.
Keywords
Sphere of influence - a region of the world in which one country is dominant
Buffer zone - an area that provides protection
Satellite state - a country that is dominated by another country
Coalition government - a government in which two or more political parties work together to run a country
Rigged election - an election in which unfair tactics or cheating are used to influence the outcome
Common misconception
Students may believe that the Iron Curtain was a real barrier (often mixing it up with the Berlin Wall).
The Iron Curtain was not a real barrier but metaphor for the divide imposed between East and West by the USSR, first referred to in a speech by Churchill.
Teacher tip
Some popular video sharing websites host videos of Churchill's 'Iron Curtain' speech, show extracts of this to students, or print out sections of the transcript for students to analyse.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of serious crime
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which keyword describes a highly destructive explosive device that gets its power from nuclear reactions?
Q2.Which keyword describes a short written message sent via a telegraph line?
Q3.How did the USSR find out about the USA's first atomic bomb even though they tried to keep it a secret?
Q4.Where was the world's first atomic bomb to be used in warfare dropped?
Q5.What do historians argue was the purpose behind the USA's development of the atomic bomb?
Q6.What were the consequences of the development of the atomic bomb on the relationship between the USA and USSR?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which keyword describes a country that is dominated by another country?
Q2.Which keyword describes an election in which unfair tactics or cheating are used to influence the outcome?
Q3.Complete the sentence: Stalin agreed to free elections in Eastern Europe at the Conference but had no intention of allowing this.
Q4.What was the name of Churchill's speech in 1946 which was a response to Soviet expansion into Eastern Europe?
Q5.In Stalin’s view, which country was of the most vital importance to the security of the USSR?
Q6.How did Truman see Stalin's actions in Eastern Europe?
To help you plan your 11 history lesson on: Soviet influence over Eastern Europe by 1948, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 history lesson on: Soviet influence over Eastern Europe by 1948, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 history lessons from the Period study: Superpower relations and the Cold War, 1941–91 unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.