1. The Consequences of Gorbachev’s Policies for Eastern Europe
The Revolutions of 1989

2. Once Gorbachev broke with the Brezhnev Doctrine, some countries began to challenge Soviet, and Communist Party, dominance
By the end of 1989, some single-party regimes had crumbled because Gorbachev was unwillingly to preserve them
Were external or internal factors more significant? We will have to decide…
Overview

3. Why did Gorbachev favor the reduction of Soviet involvement in Eastern Europe?
Economic instability in the USSR was the leading factor—he needed to free up funds

4. Not all E. European leaders were excited about Gorbachev’s reforms
Many relied on Soviet military support to stay in power
Threats to the stability of the system were scary to some
1988 UN speech: Gorbachev announced troop reductions in Warsaw Pact countries
Nail in the coffin of the Brezhnev Doctrine
The End of Support

5. 1989 signals the end of communism in Eastern Europe
Some regimes were taken down violently (Romania) while others were notable for their lack of bloodshed
Either way, these upheavals caught most people by surprise
What no one understood, at the beginning of 1989, was that the Soviet Union…was a sand pile ready to slide. All it took to make that happen were a few more grains of sand. -Gaddis

6. Hungary One of the first states to rebel against the Soviets
A 1956 uprising was brutally crushed
Summer of 1989, the government acknowledged that the ’56 revolution had been just, and honored those who had died
Additionally, the government refused to continue funding the barbed wire that stretched along the Austro-Hungarian border and began to dismantle it
The word from Moscow in response to a panicky East Germany?
“We can’t do anything about it”
Hungary

7. Poland What were the origins of the Solidarity movement?
1970s Poland had severe econ. problems
High food prices, strikes, demonstrations, large debt due to loans from Western banks
Strong Catholicism united the people
Election of Pope John Paul II in 1978 (first Polish pope) and visit in 1979
Young working class
1/3 is under the age of 25, had higher education and expectations, exposed to underground press
Poland

8. Solidarity, 1980 What is Solidarity?
Describe the circumstances of its creation in 1980.
What was the significance of the 469 days?
Polish gov allows it to exist
10 million members!
Est. precedent of challenging the state in a limited fashion
Solidarity, 1980

9. 1981 How does Solidarity’s agenda change in 1981?
Wants to push for democratization, shifting from its “moral revolution” to a political one
“October Program” challenges Communist Party’s right to rule unopposed
What did Jaruzelski do in Dec 1981?
Martial Law declared, Solidarity is banned, leaders arrested, censorship implemented
1981

10. 1989 Describe Solidarity’s position during the 1980s.
Underground activism, preach non-violence
Walesa released from prison in 1982
Describe Poland’s economic state in the 1980s.
Why was 1989 significant for Solidarity?
Round Table Discussions-results?
June elections-circumstances and results?
Soviet involvement?
1989

11. Key Terms Solidarity Pope John Paul II Lech Walesa Gdansk
General Jaruzelski
Know what happened in 1980, 1981, 1988, 1989
Key Terms

12. East Germany: Questions from Triumph of Hope reading, pgs 238-252
What evidence was there that the GDR was not firmly under control in 1989?
How did the opening of Hungary affect Germany?
Why did Honecker resign in October 1989?
Describe the circumstances surrounding the fall of the Berlin Wall on November 9, What was the most significant factor that allowed it to occur?
What was the impact of this event on the rest of Europe?
What is the Sinatra Doctrine?
What was the US response to the events of 1989?
What was the significance of the Malta summit?
Why was German reunification an ‘unsettling prospect” to many leaders, regardless of Cold War loyalties?
What were the terms of reunification? Who got their way more-the US of the USSR?
When did Germany finally reunify?
Why does Gaddis call this chapter The Triumph of Hope?
East Germany: Questions from Triumph of Hope reading, pgs

14. East Germany Terms GDR Stasi Erich Honecker Leipzig and Dresden
Egon Krenz
Gunter Schabowski
Nov 9, 1989
Helmut Kohl
Sinatra Doctrine
East Germany

15. Czechoslovakia: The Velvet Revolution
What was the significance of the Helsinki Final Act of 1975?
In the late 1970s, what groups emerged to challenge Czechoslovakia’s government?
Charter 77, VONS, The Plastic People of the Universe
Who were Czechoslovakia’s leaders and how did they feel about Gorbachev’s reformist attitudes?
Husak, Jakes
Similarities and differences between Czechoslovakia and Poland in terms of support for reform?
What set off the Velvet Revolution in Nov 1989? How did it unfold?
Who is Vaclav Havel? What was his role in the Revolution?
What was more significant to the Velvet Revolution: internal or external issues?
Czechoslovakia: The Velvet Revolution

16. Discussion Compare Poland to Prague Spring.
Compare Soviet reactions to Chinese reactions
Past Questions:
Role of internal vs. external issues in the fall of communism
Compare and contrast the parts played by Brezhnev and Gorbachev in the Cold War.
Discussion