23.The collapse of communism in the Eastern European satellite states

Introduction

When Gorbachev came into power in 1985, change was clearly afoot in Eastern Europe.

Both the USSR and it’s satellite states were facing economic instability, and Gorbachev was looking for ways to alleviate the USSR of its responsibilities to other communist countries, due to the burden they were causing.

However

However, the rejection of the Brezhnev Doctrine and Gorbachev’s promised reforms were not welcomed by EE party leaders.

Despite them being concerned about USSR intervention, at least it gave them the confidence their regimes would continue.

Change in the Eastern European bloc

Traditionally, EE states couldn’t leave the Warsaw Pact or challenge the authority of the Communist Party.

However, as change accelerated the Soviet government was no longer willing to crush revolutions like those in Hungary (56), Czechoslovakia (68) and Poland (81). This left the EE communists without authority to enforce their ideology and so public opinion overshined.

Poland

Despite suppressing Solidarity in 81, Polish leader Jaruzelski recognised a need to reconcile with Solidarity’s members. Sept 86: a general amnesty for all political prisoners.

And confident that Solidarity’s popularity was declined, Jaruzelski ended martial law and made reconstitution of Solidarity legal.

These actions coincided with an economic downturn, so strikes and demands for change occurred, peacefully, using glasnost to justify their actions.

Changes in Poland

Without their Soviet support the Polish government had to work with the dissenters, not against.

In Feb 89 the gov agreed to talk to Solidarity leaders and other opposition groups in an attempt to maintain power. This led to legalisation of non-gov trade unions, creation of the position of president and the formation of a Senate.

This pleased the USSR, representing a step toward socialist rather than capitalist democracy.

Collapse of communism in Poland

However, in the June elections Solidarity won 92/100 Senate seats and 160/161 seats it was allowed to compete for in parliament.

(Even Polish Communist Party ally groups refused to join a coalition unless Solidarity was represented).

In Aug 89 Walesa demanded a government led by Solidarity. Within 2 weeks, with Soviet agreement, a new pro-Solidarity gov led by Mazowiecki was formed.

Initially, key positions remained in communist hands to keep peace but by the end of the year Poland was a multi-party state with a coalition gov dominated by Solidarity.

Hungary

It was actually the Hungarian Communist Party that initiated reforms.

Worsening economic conditions led to general dissatisfaction and so even dedicated communists looked for alternative routes to improve the local economy.

Kadar resigned in 1988 and was replaced by Nemeth, on the strength of his 1 billion Deutsch Mark loan from West German banks he was named prime minister.

Changes in Hungary

He followed his economic reforms with political ones, the government adopted basic freedoms, civil rights and electoral reforms. The communist government was ready to adopt a multi-party system.

In April 89 the USSR agreed to withdraw military forces by 91, and in June 89 the Hungarian Socialist Workers Party agreed that free elections will take place the next year (as they believed they’d remain in power).

Collapse of communism in Hungary

In Sept 89 they agreed to open their border with Austria to allow East Germans who could enter Hungary to travel to West Germany. The exodus that followed (mass departure of people) illustrated a rejection of communism.

The movement away from communism was peaceful, with the 1990 elections moving from communist to democracy.

East Germany

Was the most loyal satellite state to the USSR. Leaders were communist hardliners and they had the most feared political police (the Stasi).

However, Brandt’s policy of Ostpolitik built a bridge between the West and East German states. In 1984 the states had reached an agreement on cultural exchanges and the removal of land mines on their frontier - signally a commitment to the status quo for both.

Despite this, the regime was accepted and no one foresaw the changes that’d take place in coming years. The leader, Honecker, in East Germany ignored calls for reforms in perestroika and also the dissent throughout the EE bloc, remaining firmly loyal to Communist Party.

Changes in East Germany

It was the events in Hungary that impacted East Germany. When the Hungarians (May 89) removed the fence border with East Germany anyone dissatisfied in either country could cross, despite technically still being illegal.

By Sept 89 around 60k East Germans had left for Hungary, leaving Budapest overcrowded.

Therefore it was announced that East Germans wouldn’t be stopped if they crossed into Austria, so 22k did.

Furthermore, due to amounting international pressure, East Germany allowed its citizens to travel temporarily to West Germany providing they would return.

More changes in East Germany

In October 89 opposition could be seen in all cities in East Germany, protesting the lack of reforms under Honecker.

The Politburo therefore forced Honecker’s resignation and he was replaced by Krenz that month.

Krenz immediately announced democratic reforms and endorsed perestroika and glasnost, and the end of the Brezhnev Doctrine.

More changes in East Germany

In November Krenz visited Gorbachev on an economic mission, the USSR did not offer economic aid the struggling East Germany and it experienced a disastrous collapse in its economy.

So they soon proposed a relax to its travel laws, but this only sparked more criticism for being too limited - the gov lost control over the public.

The entire Politburo resigned.

Only a few days after the first another travel law was proposed allowing foreign travel without advance notice and free transit through border crossings into West Germany.

The collapse of communism in East Germany

The leadership had believed this would increase its credibility and popularity, but actually led to its collapse.

1 December, facing increased calls for more reform, the gov changed the constitution and eliminated the clause that gave the Communist Party dominant role in gov.

Only 2 days later Krenz and the Central Committee resigned. A coalition replaced them but was only provisional and negotiations began for a reunification almost immediately.

In October 90 East Germany ceased to exist and was incorporated into FRG.

Czechoslovakia

Communists maintained control until the collapse. Soviet troops remained in the country but Gorbachev said that the USSR would pursue a policy of non-intervention in Warsaw Pact countries.

They were able to remain in control for so long as Czechoslovakia actually had a thriving economy and so working classes had little reason to oppose the regime.

Opposition in Czechoslovakia

Came from a small group of intellectuals led by Havel.

Havel had organised opposition to the gov in the 70s but was arrested. After his release he continued his dissent - only gaining support from the wider public from 89 onwards.

This support was because the public were tired of hearing Western prosperity while being behind the Iron Curtain, with limited fashion and culture. Despite doing well compared to other communist countries they were still far behind the West.

In Jan 89 a demonstration in memory of the suicide of a student led to further movements, protesting both political policies and environmental policies too.

Changes in Czechoslovakia

In July, the gov announced a programme of limited economic reforms, but the population didn’t feel it was sufficient and so in August a mass demonstration took place in Prague.

Furthermore, the collapse of the Berlin Wall encouraged people to speak out.

The collapse of communism in Czechoslovakia

Communism fell in Czechoslovakia when a demonstration in Nov led to police attacks on students, prompting an outcry against the police and gov.

A few days after this demonstration a united opposition group led by Havel (Civil Forum) was formed. Demonstrations got larger.

The communist regime didn’t arrest demonstrators but instead wanted to institute reforms to remain in power.

Meanwhile, the Civic Forum put together the ‘Programmatic Principles of the Civil Forum’ stating its goals: state of law, free elections, social justice, clean environment, educated people, return to Europe and prosperity.

…

In response to this the constitution was amended and the phrase giving the Communist Party a lead role in gov was removed.

A coalition gov was suggested but the Civic Forum refused and then the Communist Party leadership resigned.

In elections Havel was then elected as president with a democratic, multi-party state to control.

This was all known as the Velvet Revolution.

The end of the Brezhnev Doctrine

Was the USSR’s commitment to ensuring the communist EE bloc remained intact and that communism remained the dominant political force.

Gorbachev took the decision, almost as soon as he took office, to abandon this commitment to communist control.

Gorbachev believed that communism would only survive if people were willing to accept it, not forced to.

Significance of the events of 1989

In 1985 Gorbachev came to power as a reforming communist.

It was fairly clear that he wanted to keep the socialist sphere intact.

No one could’ve predicted his calls for change leading to the end of communism in Europe.

By Nov 1989 it was clear he wouldn’t authorise using force against reformers and so made possible all the EE changes and paved the way for democracy.