Question

During the post-war period, the USSR was able to control Poland and Hungary by

Answer 1

In the post-war period, the Soviets dominated and made decisions on all important issues in the countries of the so-called Warsaw Pact. If there was an indication that some of the states of the eastern block had a tendency to make a decision independently, or would oppose the will of the Soviet Union, there would be an intervention by the Soviets. This is the case with Poland and Hungary. For example, in Hungary, elections were held after the war, in which the communists had only 17% of the votes, while the independent smallholders party won 57% of the votes. The Soviets reacted through their people in Hungary. Commander Voroshilov refused to recognize the results of the election, and with the Communists established a coalition government. Similar was also in Poland and all other countries of the eastern block.

The Soviets could do this with the help of the puppet governments, and their troops stationed there, that supported such marionette governments.

Answer 2

During the post-war period, the USSR was able to control Poland and Hungary by means of installing puppet governments and keeping Soviet troops stationed in those countries among other means.