While the Red Army was advancing towards Berlin in 1944, Stalin was already planning to incorporate Eastern Europe into his sphere of influence.

The whole communist world celebrates Stalin's 70th birthday in December 1949 including the 'brother nations' of eastern Europe. Stalinist cities rise from the ashes of World War 2 with great buildings and avenues.

After Stalin's death in 1953 many in the Eastern Bloc hope for a better future with mass protests emerging in East Germany.