How Successful Was the West in Containing Communism in Europe?

What was the success of containment of communism in Europe up to 1949?

Historians debate how successful the West was in containing communism in Europe.

How was containment in Europe successful?

Historians give 3 main arguments why the West was successful in containing communism in Europe:

• ❖ They refused to pull out of West Berlin and forced Stalin to stand down over the Berlin Blockade.
• ❖ The Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan helped to prevent communism spreading beyond eastern Europe.
• ❖ NATO provided a military deterrent to stop communism spreading beyond eastern Europe.

How was containment in Europe unsuccessful?

Historians give 4 main reasons why the West was not successful in containing communism in Europe:

• ❖ The Soviet Union established communism in many eastern European countries by fixing elections.
• ❖ The Red Army's occupation of eastern Europe after the war put them in a very strong position.
• ❖ Stalin refused to allow countries under his influence to accept Marshall aid, limiting the influence of the West.
• ❖ By creating the German Federal Republic (GDR) Stalin had established a new communist state.