Which of the following statements best describes the spread of communism in the years immediately following world war ii?

a. the number of communist countries increased during these years.
b. the number of communist countries decreased during these years.
c. the number of communist countries stayed the same during these years.
d. the number of communist countries increased in asia but decreased in europe.

A. The number of communist countries increased during these years.

One of the most immediate reactions to the end of fascism was a shift towards left-wing politics in most of Europe, and in particular in Eastern Europe. Communism was often seen in these countries as a good alternative and as a protection against future fascism. Moreover, many Eastern European countries had been liberated by Russia, which made people look at them with grateful eyes. Communism also provided a solution to the widespread inequality that plagued countries like Bulgaria, Romania and Hungary.

Albania and Bulgaria became communist in 1945, East Germany in 1949, Romania, Poland and Hungary in 1947 and Czechoslovakia in 1948.