1945 : communists took power in Albania, Bulgaria
(elected by coalition, executed opposition), & E Germany
1947 : communists took over Romania (abolished monarchy), Poland (arrested opposition, won by
election)
▫ Hungary: arrested & executed opposition using secret
police churches were attacked
1948 : communist leader Gottwald took power in
Czechoslovakia = controlling the radio, army, police &
arresting opposition.
▫ Non-communist minister Masaryk committed suicide