Soviet satellite state facts for kids
Soviet satellite states were countries that seemed independent but were actually controlled by the Soviet Union. Imagine a puppet on strings; the Soviet Union was pulling the strings for these countries. They had their own governments, but the leaders in charge were chosen because they were loyal to the Soviet Union. If people in these countries protested against their local government, the Soviet Union might even send in its military to stop them. These countries included those in the Warsaw Pact and also Mongolia.
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What Were Soviet Satellite States?
Countries Controlled by the Soviet Union
Many countries became Soviet satellite states after World War II. The Soviet Union made sure these countries followed its rules and ideas. They were often called "Eastern Bloc" countries.
Here are some examples of countries that were Soviet satellite states and the years they were controlled:
- The People's Socialist Republic of Albania (1944–1960)
- The Polish People's Republic (1944–1989)
- The People's Republic of Bulgaria (1946–1990)
- The People's Republic of Romania (1947–1965)
- The Czechoslovak Socialist Republic (1948–1960 and again 1968–1989)
- The German Democratic Republic (1949–1990)
- The Hungarian People's Republic (1949–1989)
- The Democratic Republic of Afghanistan (1978–1990)
How the Soviet Union Controlled Them
The Soviet Union kept a close watch on these countries. They often had Soviet troops stationed there. The KGB, which was the Soviet Union's main security agency, also had agents in these countries.
Controlling Information
One big way the Soviet Union controlled these states was by managing information. This was called censorship. It meant that the government decided what people could read, watch, or listen to. News, books, movies, and even music were checked to make sure they supported the Soviet way of thinking. This control of information was also used in countries far away, like Cuba.
Military Service
In most of these "Eastern Bloc" countries, young men had to join the military for a period of time. This was called compulsory national service. It helped the Soviet Union keep strong armies in these allied countries.
