How did Soviet control of Eastern Europe cause Cold War crises between 1956 and 1970?
The Cold War crises of 1956 to 1970 caused by Soviet control of Eastern Europe: the Hungarian Uprising of 1956, the Prague Spring and Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968, and the Brezhnev Doctrine.
A focused answer to the Soviet control crises in Edexcel's Superpower relations period study, covering the Hungarian Uprising of 1956, the Prague Spring and Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968, and the Brezhnev Doctrine, with the causes, events and consequences of each.
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What this dot point is asking
This covers the crises caused by Soviet control of Eastern Europe: the Hungarian Uprising of 1956 and the Prague Spring and invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968, and the Brezhnev Doctrine that followed. You need the causes, events and consequences of each, and to see the pattern: when satellite states tried to reform or break free, the USSR crushed them, and the West did not intervene. The exam rewards explaining consequences and writing narrative accounts.
The Hungarian Uprising, 1956
The Prague Spring, 1968
The Brezhnev Doctrine
The pattern and its significance
These crises followed the same pattern: a satellite state attempted reform or independence, the USSR crushed it with force, and the West condemned but did not act. This confirmed that containment stopped at the Iron Curtain, that the superpowers would avoid direct war with each other, and that the Warsaw Pact was an instrument of Soviet control as much as defence. The contrast with the West's response to a direct threat (Cuba) is a useful comparison.
Try this
Q1. What was the Brezhnev Doctrine? [Knowledge recall]
- Cue. The Soviet claim of the right to intervene by force in any communist state where socialism was threatened, used to justify the 1968 invasion of Czechoslovakia.
Q2. Explain why the Hungarian Uprising and Prague Spring both failed. [Short explanation]
- Cue. The USSR would not allow satellite states to reform or break free, so it crushed both with Warsaw Pact force, and the West condemned but did not intervene, leaving the rebels without outside help.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of Pearson Edexcel exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
Edexcel 20198 marksExplain two consequences of the Soviet invasion of Hungary (1956).Show worked answer →
The Paper 2 period study "Explain two consequences" question (8 marks). Reward two developed consequences.
Consequence one. It showed the limits of Western help. The USA condemned the invasion but did not intervene militarily, proving that containment would not be used to roll back Soviet control within the Eastern bloc, so satellite states could not rely on the West.
Consequence two. It tightened Soviet control. Nagy was executed and a loyal government installed under Kadar, warning other satellite states against reform and reinforcing the Warsaw Pact.
Top band. Two consequences, each explained with detail and clearly flowing from the invasion.
Edexcel 20218 marksWrite a narrative account analysing the key events of the Czechoslovakian crisis in 1968. You may use the following in your answer: the Prague Spring; the Brezhnev Doctrine. You must also use information of your own.Show worked answer →
The Paper 2 "narrative account" question (8 marks). Reward an analytical, linked sequence using the prompts plus own knowledge.
Sequence. Begin with Dubcek becoming leader and launching the Prague Spring (socialism with a human face: free speech, fewer controls), which alarmed Moscow as the reforms spread, leading the USSR and Warsaw Pact to invade in August 1968, after which the Brezhnev Doctrine declared the USSR could intervene in any communist state that threatened socialism.
Top band. Events linked with connectives showing how the reforms led to invasion and then the Doctrine, not just a list. Use both prompts plus own knowledge.
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Sources & how we know this
- Pearson Edexcel GCSE (9-1) History (1HI0) specification — Pearson Edexcel (2016)