How did the Soviet Union control Eastern European countries?

Countries that were not annexed by the Soviet Union, i.e. Czechoslovakia, Poland, East Germany, Romania, Bulgaria and Hungary were kept under control through different means: * Military presence. read more

But the structure of control had been layered. Eastern European countries of course had “own” governments, with an extensive security and repression apparatus. Hell, in Czechoslovakia the local people (arguably) even installed a Soviet-controlled government (in 1948). Those local governments could manage day-to-day control of their countries. read more

The Soviet Union was mad because they wanted to control them. Sent troops: to Hungary to put people that they favored back in power. read more

Having more control over satellite states would benefit the Soviet Union if it became involved in a European War by giving the Soviet Union more territory to control and by giving them more citizens who can contribute to the war effort. read more