What does the term "satellite states" refer to during the Cold War?

The term "satellite states" during the Cold War specifically refers to nations that were under Soviet influence or control. These countries were politically and militarily aligned with the Soviet Union and often had communist governments imposed upon or supported by Moscow. The presence of these satellite states was crucial to the Soviet strategy of creating a buffer zone against potential Western aggression, particularly from NATO countries. Satellite states were heavily influenced by Soviet policies, and in many cases, their governments were either directly controlled by the USSR or operated under significant Soviet oversight.

This relationship exemplified the dynamics of the Cold War, where the world was largely divided into spheres of influence dominated by the two superpowers: the United States and the Soviet Union. The existence of satellite states allowed the Soviet Union to extend its ideology and counterbalance Western power. Understanding the nature of these states is vital to comprehending the geopolitical tensions of the Cold War era.