The Collapse of Communism in the Eastern European Satellite States

What did Gorbachev renounce in 1989 to the Council of Europe?

The use of force against Soviet Bloc countries - roll back of the Brezhnev Doctrine

What was the only communist country in Europe by 1989?

Albania

What did Jaruzelski agree to in 1986?

A general amnesty for solidarity prisoners, an end to Martial Law and legalisation of Solidarity

By what year had all soviet troops withdrew from the Soviet Bloc?

1990

When did the government again raise food prices in Poland?

In 1988 - yet they tried to appease dissenters rather than suppress

Three major reforms in Poland 1989:

• Legalisation of non-government Trade Unions

• The creation of the position of President

• Formation of Bicameral Legislature

What was the Sejm

The lower parliamentary house in Poland where 35% were freely elected seats.

1989 Polish elections:

• Solidarity won 92 senate seats and 160/161 of the Parliament seats it could compete for

• Lech Walesa demanded a new government led by Solidarity

• Within a fortnight, a new solidarity government was formed and approved by Soviets

The Hungary situation:

• Kadar resigns in 1988 and is replaced by Nemeth

• Nemeth adopted the constitution to allow for basic freedoms and better civil rights.

• Also permitted the existence of non-communist parties

• USSR agreed to begin withdrawing forces in 1989

• Free elections were agreed upon for 1990

Who was firmly loyal to the Socialist Unity Party and refused to give up East Germany to western influence?

Honecker

What did Hungary do in 1989 which made trade easier with Austria?

Removed the electrically fortified border wall

How many East Germans had sought asylum in Hungary by September 1989?

60,000

What did the Hungarian government do to prevent overcrowding in Budapest?

Let East German refugees grant refuge in West Germany through Austria

What did East Germany reluctantly then do?

Allowed citizens to travel to West Germany as long as they returned.

What did protests in October 1989 cause?

Honecker was forced into resignation and Krenz replaced him

Why did the entire politburo then resign in November?

Because Krenz proposed more relaxed travel laws that were too limited and did not calm the public

The Falling of the Berlin Wall:

• A news conference allowed free transit through border crossings into West Berlin and Germany

• 10,000s converged on Checkpoint Charlie, the US-Soviet checkpoint

• East German police then opened the border

• This did not strengthen Krenz position and he still had to resign in December 1989

When was Germany then unified?

In October 1990

Bulgaria:

• Resistance to Zhivkov emerged in 1988, he was very closely aligned to Brezhnev.

• This was centred around environmentalism, rights for Orthodox Church and rights for Turks.

• These groups became stronger than Zhivkov

• Zhivkov was removed in 1989 and replaced by Mladenov.

• Free elections then held in 1990.

Romania:

• Current leader Ceausescu had caused substantial debt and his austerity measures were not popular.

• Workers stormed and destroyed the communist party headquarters in 1987

• 1989 - Demonstrations in Timisoara and a military crack-down.

• This turned into a rebellion which included members of military

• The Ceausescu’s were captured and killed in 1989

• Free elections were held in 1990, The National Salvation Front won.