The term "Soviet occupation" refers to the period when the Soviet Union controlled various countries and regions, particularly in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, after World War II. This control often involved military presence and political influence, as the Soviet government sought to expand its ideology of communism. Countries like Poland, Hungary, and the Baltic States experienced significant changes in governance and society during this time. The occupation typically lasted from the late 1940s until the early 1990s, when the Soviet Union began to dissolve. Many nations under Soviet occupation faced restrictions on political freedoms, economic challenges, and cultural suppression. The end of the occupation marked a shift towards independence and the establishment of democratic governments in these regions.