Before the Communists took over, Russia had many world-famous writters and musicians. The control of the Communists over all areas of life, including art and philosophy, led many talented Russians to flee their homeland for freedom in the West.

The Baltic States were originaly inhabited by the Balts, Estonia and Latvia were invaded by the Vikings and later by Germans, Who introduced the Protestant Reformation.

One major reason that the Soviet Union desired control of the Baltic States was their abundant resources. The Soviets depended on Lithuania in particular to help meet Russia´s demand for food.

Belarus and Ukraine have rich history of literature, art, and music. Kiev, Ukraine´s capital, was one of the original settlements of the Viking people called Rus

Poland reestablish itself after WWI, but WWII brought Naxi storm troopers and concentration camps.

Poland´s economy still suffers from the effects of Communism, but the nation is beggining to embrace free enterprise. Major industries include the production of chemicals, steel, and household appliances.

At the end of World War I, defeated Hungary lost 71 percent of its territory as a result of the Treaty of Trianon. Since then, grappling with the loss of more than two-thirds of their territory and people, Hungarians have looked to a past that was greater than the present as their collective psyche suffered from the so-called “Trianon Syndrome.”

Romanians are unique among the people of the Balkan States in that they are the only ones who speak a Romance language. Although they were part of Communist domnated Eastern Europe, the people of this nation are culturally similar to those of the West.

Romania is also home to one of the largest settlements of Romani in Europe. Over the centuries, these traditionally nomadic people have spread from India to the Middle East, Europe, the Americas, and even Australia.

Albania was declared independent in 1912, but the following year the demarcation of its boundaries by the great powers of Europe asigned about half its territory and people to neighbouring states. Ruled as a monarchy between the World Wars, Albania emerged from the violence of WWII as a communist state that fiercely protected its sovereignty and in which almost all aspects of life were controlled by the ruling party. But with the collapse of other communist regimes beginning in 1989, new social forces and democratic political parties emerged in Albania.

In 1946, Yugoslavia became a socialist federation of six republics: Croatia, Montenegro, Serbia, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Macedonia. At this time, it adopted the name Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

The Czech Republics economy is based largely on industry, its mayor products include textiles, steel, and glass. Slovakia is more agrarian. Slovak farmers grow large quantities of cereals and livestock. Both countries are still working to counter the effects of Communism on their economies.