After world war ii, the soviet union designated many of the countries of eastern europe as states

I believe the blank you're looking for is satellite.

 Communist, satellite states

Explanation:  After the Second World War and the division of interest zones, the Soviet Union had an impact on the countries of Eastern Europe.  It achieved its influence by imposing communism, through the so-called free elections, which were rigorously controlled by Soviet intelligence, officials and politicians. In this way, satellite states in Eastern Europe were created, which carried out the political will of the Soviet Union, and every attempt to rebel against communism was treated as subversive and was suppressed by police or military intervention.

8 - (2a + 7) = a + 40     distribute/multiply - into (2a + 7)

8 - 2a - 7 = a + 40

1 - 2a = a + 40       add 2a on both sides

1 = 3a + 40         subtract 40 on both sides

-39 = 3a       divide 3 on both sides

-13 = a

[proof]

8 - (2a + 7) = a + 40

8 - (2(-13) + 7) = -13 + 40

8 - (-26 + 7) = 27

8 - (-19) = 27

8 + 19 = 27

27 = 27

no one really purchased it themselves, it was all america, they had debates etc.