The End of the Cold War, 1985-1991, The Transformation of Eastern Europe (1989–1990)

Poland: The First Domino

Key Movement: Solidarity (Solidarność) – an independent trade union led by Lech Wałęsa

• 1980: Solidarity founded; repressed in 1981 under martial law.

• 1989: After mass strikes and negotiations, semi-free elections were held.

Solidarity won overwhelmingly, forming the first non-communist government in Eastern
Europe

Hungary: Quiet Transformation

Early Reforms: Hungarian Communists initiated gradual liberalization in the late 1980s.

Spring 1989: Hungary began dismantling its border fence with Austria, opening the Iron Curtain.

June 1989: Reburial of Imre Nagy, hero of the 1956 revolution, with hundreds of thousands in attendance.

October 1989: The Communist Party renamed itself and declared Hungary a republic.

Free elections in 1990; peaceful transition to democracy

Czechoslovakia: The Velvet Revolution

• November 17, 1989: Student protest violently suppressed in Prague.

• Sparked massive demonstrations and general strikes.

Leadership: Dissident playwright Václav Havel and the Civic Forum led negotiations.

Outcome: The Communist Party resigned by December; Havel became President on December 29, 1989

East-Germany

Domestic Unrest in East Germany

• 1980s: Economic stagnation and repression in the GDR.

• 1989: The Peaceful Revolution – Mass protests in Leipzig and other cities, demanding reforms and freedom.

• GDR leader Erich Honecker was forced to resign in October 1989

Fall of the Berlin Wall

• November 9, 1989: Due to political miscommunication and mass pressure, border guards opened the checkpoints.

• People crossed freely for the first time in 28 years—an emotional and symbolic moment

Political Steps Toward Unity

• Helmut Kohl, West German Chancellor, proposed a 10-point plan for reunification.

• East German elections (March 1990) resulted in victory for pro-unification parties.

• The two German parliaments agreed on the terms of unity.

Reunification Day: October 3, 1990

• East Germany officially joined the Federal Republic.

• The Basic Law (Grundgesetz) of West Germany was extended to the new federal states (Länder).

• Berlin became the capital of united Germany

Romania: The Violent Exception

• December 1989: Protests in Timi oara sparked a full-blown revolution.ș

• Dictator Nicolae Ceau escu responded with violence; over 1,000 people killed.ș

• Ceau escu and his wife were captured, tried, and executed on December 25, 1989.ș

• The only Eastern Bloc country where the revolution turned bloody