Fall of Communism and the Breakup of the Soviet Union

What is Communism? Communism is a political and economic system in which the major productive resources in a society-such as mines, factories, and farms-are owned by the public or the state, and wealth is divided among citizens equally or according to individual need.

What is the role of the Communist Party? The Communist Party was the only political party allowed to exist and only members from this Party are allowed to run for public office Membership in the Communist Party was restricted. Only a small percentage of the entire population belonged to the Party. The Politburo, or inner circle of the Communist Party, consisted of 15 men who were responsible for making policy. The General Secretary, or leader of the Communist party, was the most powerful man in the Soviet Union.

Spread of Communism East Germany, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria had communist government. These countries were called Soviet Satellites States because they were countries that were under the control of the USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics).

What was life like under Communist rule? Do Now Activity!

Do Now Activity! Take out your homework and share with a partner why you think people would not want to live under communist rule. Each pair must come up with 1 reason to share with the class.

Why would people want to break away from Communist rule? Political and Economic Problems No individual freedoms No motivation to work hard

What led to the fall of communism and the breakup of the Soviet Union? The man who came to power in the Soviet Union in 1985 was Mikhail Gorbachev. His policies set the stage for the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe and the breakup of the Soviet Union.

Gorbachev’s Policies Perestroika- “Restructuring” This was Gorbachev’s plan to restructure and decentralize the economy. Glasnost- “Openness” This refers to Gorbachev’s policy that aimed to destroy the secrecy and suspicion of Soviet life. It allowed greater freedoms and open criticism of the Soviet government. Gorbachev Doctrine-a policy of noninterference in Eastern Europe.

Read the following quote and write down what you think it means: Do Now Activity! Read the following quote and write down what you think it means: “The Road to Success is dotted with many tempting parking spaces.”-Author Unknown

Revolutions in Eastern Europe Poland Czechoslovakia Romania East Germany Yugoslavia

Poland In the 1970’s and 1980’s, there was food riots and worker unrest due to the poor economic conditions. An organization called Solidarity was formed. It was a trade union that pressured the government for changes that would improve living standards. Solidarity and its leader Lech Walesa was supported by millions of people across Poland. Following Gorbachev’s policies, the government eventually legalized Solidarity and allowed free elections in 1989. It was the first Eastern European Satellite State to break free from the Soviet Union.

Reasons for Revolution Poland Reasons for Revolution Poor economic conditions Worker unrest and food riots Formation of the trade union Solidarity Results of Revolution Solidarity became a legal organization and the government allowed free elections. The new government created a market economy.

Czechoslovakia Late 1989, the Velvet Revolution took place. It was a nonviolent protest movement that ended Communist rule in Czechoslovakia. Vaclav Havel became the president of Czechoslovakia. Czechoslovakia was split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia in 1993 due to different ideas on economic reform.

Reasons for Revolution Czechoslovakia Reasons for Revolution Mass demonstrations throughout Czechoslovakia called for change to democracy. Results of Revolution The Communist government in Czechoslovakia collapsed and Havel became the new president. A few years later, Czechoslovakia was split into two separate nations, the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

Romania Nicolae Ceasescu was the Communist leader of Romania since 1965. In 1989, the secret police murdered thousands of people and as a result, a violent revolution overthrew Ceasescu and his Communist regime. Ceasescu was executed and a new government was formed.

Reasons for Revolution Romania Reasons for Revolution The secret police in Romania murdered thousands of men, women, and children. Violent revolution took place as a result of these murders. Results of Revolution The Communist leader of Romania was overthrown and executed. A new government was formed. Romania had a difficult time making the transition to democracy.

East Germany In the summer of 1989, Hungary allowed East Germans to escape to West Germany through Austria. This caused East Germans to demonstrate for reform and demand permission to emigrate to West Germany. On November 9, 1989, the Communist government of East Germany surrendered to popular pressure by opening its border with the West. People on both sides began tearing down the wall.

Reasons for Revolution East Germany Reasons for Revolution Hungary allowed East Germans to escape to West Germany. This caused mass demonstrations to take place throughout East Germany demanding permission to emigrate to West Germany. Results of Revolution The Communist government collapsed and opened its borders with the West. People from both sides began tearing down the Berlin Wall. Reunification of East and West Germany took place on October 3, 1990.

Berlin Wall http://www.cnn.com/resources/video.almanac/1989/index3.html

Yugoslavia Although Yugoslavia had a communist government, it had never been a Soviet satellite state. By 1989, Yugoslavia also became caught up in the reform movements sweeping across Eastern Europe. By 1990, new parties emerged and Communism in Yugoslavia collapsed.

Reasons for Revolution Yugoslavia Reasons for Revolution After the Communist dictator Tito died in 1980, representatives from all six republics and two provinces within Yugoslavia comprised a collective federal government under Communist rule. By 1990, the Communist party collapsed. Results of Revolution After the Communist Party collapsed, the six republics and two provinces that made up Yugoslavia developed a strong sense of nationalism and demanded separate nations to be formed. Civil war has been a problem throughout the former Yugoslavia since the 1990.

Do Now! Which is generally a characteristic of a communist economy? 1. Investment is encouraged by the promise of large profits 2. The role of government in the economy is restricted by law 3. Government agencies are involved in production planning 4. Entrepreneurs sell shares in their companies to the government

Do Now! One reason the Soviet Union formed the Warsaw Pact was to 1. Ease the transition to democracy 2. Help institute capitalism in Eastern Europe 3. Limit the threat of invasion from Western Europe 4. Challenge the economic successes of the Common Market

Do Now! Communist governments were established in most nations of Eastern Europe shortly after World War II because 1. The region had a long tradition of strong communist parties 2. Communist governments were able to significantly increase agricultural productivity 3. The Soviet Union used military and diplomatic pressures to install their governments 4. Members of the Communist party won free elections in these nations