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From 1938 to 1948, the Eastern Bloc area witnessed significant border changes, largely driven by the complex geopolitical dynamics of World War II and the immediate aftermath. The Eastern Bloc, comprising countries in Eastern and Central Europe, was under the influence of the Soviet Union during this period.
The map below shows Soviet expansion, the change of Central-Eastern European borders and the creation of the Communist Eastern bloc after World War II.
Key border changes from 1938 to 1948:
Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact (1939) In 1939, the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, a non-aggression treaty between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union, led to the division of Eastern Europe into spheres of influence. This pact enabled the Soviets to annex parts of Eastern Poland, the Baltic States (Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania), and parts of Romania.
World War II (1939-1945) During World War II, the Eastern Front witnessed significant territorial changes. The Soviet Union occupied eastern Poland and the Baltic States. As the war progressed, the Red Army advanced into Eastern Europe, leading to the liberation of countries like Czechoslovakia and parts of Poland from Nazi occupation.
Potsdam Conference (1945) The Potsdam Conference, held in 1945, solidified many of the border changes in Eastern Europe. The Oder-Neisse Line was established, which shifted the eastern border of Germany westward to the Oder and Neisse Rivers. This resulted in the transfer of significant territory from Germany to Poland.
Annexation of Subcarpathian Ruthenia (1945) After World War II, the Soviet Union annexed Subcarpathian Ruthenia (Carpatho-Ukraine) from Czechoslovakia and integrated it into the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic.
Formation of Satellite States In the aftermath of World War II, the Soviet Union established communist governments in several Eastern European countries, including East Germany, Poland, Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria. These nations became known as satellite states, firmly aligned with the Soviet Union.
Berlin Blockade (1948) The Berlin Blockade of 1948 marked a significant turning point in the division of Germany. The Soviets blockaded West Berlin, leading to the Berlin Airlift by Western Allies. This event solidified the division of Germany into East and West, with the eventual creation of the German Democratic Republic (East Germany) and the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany).
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