WORLD HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -The events and consequences of World War II were critical to the history of communism. The USSR had become stronger and – at least as important – its main regional rivals on both the Axis and Allied sides had become weaker or had been destroyed. And, unlike in previous conflicts, ideology played a central role.

Detailed explanation-2: -The Soviet Union officially maintained neutrality during WW2 but cooperated with and assisted Germany. After Nazi Germany attacked the USSR on June 22, 1941, the country allied with the UK and then the United States after the latter joined the war in December 1941.

Detailed explanation-3: -After a long history of enemy invasions, Soviet leader Josef Stalin wanted to expand its territory and build a buffer between the Soviet Union and Europe. He also wanted control in Central and Eastern European countries that the Soviets had helped liberate.

Detailed explanation-4: -By 1948, a new form of international tension had emerged–Cold War–between the United States and its allies and the Soviet Union and its allies. In the next 20 years, the Cold War spawned many tensions between the two superpowers abroad and fears of Communist subversion gripped domestic politics at home.