During the Cold War, Eastern European states under Soviet control were referred to as what?

The term "satellite states" is used to describe Eastern European countries that were politically and militarily aligned with the Soviet Union during the Cold War. This alignment was often enforced through varying levels of direct control and influence, especially following World War II. These states included Poland, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, and others that, while maintaining some degree of local governance, were heavily influenced by Soviet policies, economics, and ideology.

The concept of satellite states is crucial in understanding the dynamics of the Cold War, as it illustrates how the Soviet Union sought to expand its influence and create a buffer zone against the West. These nations were integrally tied to the broader strategies of containment and the spread of communism, with their governments often operating under the direction of Moscow.

Other terms like "client states" and "protectorates" may suggest a relationship of dependence or protection, but they do not capture the specific nature of the relationship during the Cold War as effectively as "satellite states." "Exploited states" implies a more unilateral economic extraction without the broader political relationships that characterized the Cold War landscape. Thus, "satellite states" is the most accurate description of those Eastern European nations under Soviet control during this time period.