Suppose that in the aftermath of WW2, rather than propping up Muscovite communists in all of eastern Europe, the Soviets instead let the countries return to parliamentary systems. For the same old strategic defensive purposes (giant buffer zone), the Soviets establish military bases across eastern Europe, demand that the countries in eastern Europe agree not to enter into any alliances without Soviet permission, etc. Germany is still divided, but East Germany is democratic, just like Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, etc. Of course, this is all provisionally; if the Communists get in power in these countries and feel like it, you can bet your ass that these folks will become People's Republics.
Since Yugoslavia and Albania were liberated from Nazi rule by internal partisans and became Communist as a consequence, both still become communist. Czechoslovakia probably still goes communist, since the Soviet Army played a purely psychological role in the 1948 coup d'etat.
How would the Cold War play out with these changes (if it would play out at all)?
Since Yugoslavia and Albania were liberated from Nazi rule by internal partisans and became Communist as a consequence, both still become communist. Czechoslovakia probably still goes communist, since the Soviet Army played a purely psychological role in the 1948 coup d'etat.
How would the Cold War play out with these changes (if it would play out at all)?
