1. Stagnation and Decline of Communism in Eastern Europe, 1970-1991

2. CAUSES of the collapse of Communism in Eastern Europe and Soviet Union: 1.Negative comparisons with West 2.Communism was not working 3.Pressure of Western containment policy and Soviet military spending 4.Persistence of nationalism 5.Dissidents and Human Rights 6.Soviet intervention in Afghan war (1979-1989) 7.Poland: Solidarity 8.Mikhail Gorbachev 9.Chernobyl nuclear disaster (April 1986)

3. CAUSES of the collapse of communism, 1989-1991 1. Negative comparisons with West –Jeans –Toilet paper –Birth control devices –Healthcare –Service –Soap operas –High-heeled shoes –“Equality in poverty.” Slavenka Drakulic

4. CAUSES of the collapse of communism, 1989-1991 2. Communism was not working: Collective farms never very efficient Kitchen gardens became crucial Central planning created industrialization, but consumer goods sacrificed Quantity over quality Bureaucracy was always on the take: Blat Party elite privileges: special stores, dachas, vacations

5. CAUSES of the collapse, 1989-1991 3. Pressure of Western containment policy and Soviet military spending: Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), “Star Wars”

6. CAUSES of the collapse, 1989-1991 4. Persistence of Nationalism inside Soviet Bloc and USSR

7. CAUSES of the collapse, 1989-1991 5. Dissidents and Human Rights: 1975: Helsinki Accords 1976: KOR (Committee for the Defense of Workers) 1977: Charter 77

8. CAUSES of the collapse, 1989-1991 6. Soviet intervention in Afghan war (1979- 1989): Bungled losing sapping resources veterans

9. 7. Poland and Solidarity Gdansk: Lenin Shipyards August 1980: Party granted right to unions September 1980: Solidarity: Union of Trade Unions Early 1981: 10 million Solidarity members December 1981: Martial Law imposed

12. Lech Wałęsa

13. 8. Mikhail Gorbachev, r. 1985-1991 A reformer in sheep’s clothing Reform Communism (still idealism) Attempted moderate reform Perestroika (restructuring) Glasnost (openness)

14. 9. Chernobyl nuclear disaster (April 1986) Scared everyone Showed technical incompetence Showed Party’s priorities Spawned anti-nuclear and ecological movements across East Europe

15. 1988 February: Polish government again raises prices  workers’ strikes October: Solidarity and Polish government began Round Table discussion. December: at UN Gorbachev promised to withdraw Soviet troops from Eastern Europe.

16. 1989, part I February: Hungarian Communists renounced “leading role” and proposed multi-party political system. April: Round Table concluded, Solidarity legalized again. May: Baltic Republics (Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia) declared themselves to be sovereign. June: Solidarity claimed victory in Polish parliamentary elections, but also Tiananmen Square massacre. July: Gorbachev announced that each country can take its own path to socialism.

17. 1989, part II August: First GDR refugees began leaving Soviet bloc via Hungary. September: Solidarity-led government took power in Poland. October: Gorbachev visited GDR, encouraged reform and independence. November: Berlin Wall opened; Czechoslovakian Communist government resigned: “Velvet Revolution”. December: Romanians overthrew Ceaucescu communist regime and executed Ceaucescus.

18. 1990 March: Lithuania declared independence from USSR and German CDU won election; SED got only 16 percent of vote. July: CPSU declared end to its monopoly on political power. October: Unification of Germany; Gorbachev awarded Nobel Peace Prize. December: Lech Walesa elected President of Poland.

19. 1991 June: Croatia and Slovenia declared independence from Yugoslavia; Yugoslav Wars began. July: Soviet Republics negotiate new union treaty; Warsaw Pact dissolved. August: Hard-line communists orchestrated coup in Moscow; defeated, but meant end of USSR December 8: Russia, Ukraine and Belarus created Commonwealth of Independent States  USSR ceased to exist.

20. The New Europe