USSR and Eastern Europe (1941—1991)
Category: Regional studies: Russia; Cold War
СССР и Източна Европа (1941—1991)
Language: Bulgarian
The Soviet Union's triumph in World War II, its rise to superpower status during the Cold War, and its collapse at the end of the 20th century have left a lasting mark on the contemporary world. Euphoria from restored freedom follows, but the wheel of history turns again and leads to bloody conflicts. The author analyzes the Soviet domination over the countries of Eastern Europe during the period 1941-1991. He describes the creation of the communist bloc in Europe, the rift between Stalin and Tito, and the preparations for a Soviet attack on Yugoslavia, in which Bulgaria was assigned the role of the main bridgehead; the turmoil of the mid-1950s; "The Prague Spring" and "The Brezhnev Doctrine"; the crisis in Poland in the 1980s and the subsequent collapse of the Soviet camp. The revolutionary changes of 1989, their impact on the stability of the Soviet Union and the debate they provoked about the "loss" of Eastern Europe are examined in details. The book not only theoretically conceptualizes the collapse of the Soviet empire, but also helps readers understand the bloody wars of the 21st century, including Russia's conflict with Ukraine.