Democratization in Eastern Europe

Overview of the End of Communism in Eastern Europe

• Focus on events leading to the end of communism in Central and Eastern Europe, specifically in East Germany and Poland.

Historical Context

• After World War II, several countries like Germany, Japan, and Italy transitioned to democracies after being occupied by Allied powers.

• Support for democracy existed due to previous democratic experiences between the two World Wars.

• Countries’ infrastructure (industrialized, urbanized, educated) made them susceptible to democratic ideals.

Two Stories of Democratization

East Germany: Bottom-Up Democratization

• Historical Background of Germany:

• Unified in the late 19th century; involved in World Wars I and II.

• Post-WWII, Germany was divided into occupation zones by the Allies (USA, UK, France, USSR).

• The Cold War established East Germany (GDR) as a communist state under Soviet influence.

• Population Movement:

• From 1949-1961, 2.7 million East Germans migrated to West Germany, indicating dissatisfaction with communist rule.

• The government responded by closing borders in 1961 and constructing the Berlin Wall.

• Oppressive Regime:

• East Germany had a repressive State Security Force (the Stasi) with extensive surveillance.

• Desperation drove many East Germans to escape through creative means despite strict regulations.

• Fall of Communism:

• Mikhail Gorbachev comes to power in USSR and changes the approach towards Eastern Europe, withdrawing military support.

• Protests erupted in East Germany; military reluctance to fire on civilians led to the regime's collapse in 1989.

• Ultimately, East Germany merged with West Germany, signifying the end of the communist state.

Poland: Top-Down Democratization

• Historical Background of Poland:

• Poland was partitioned and ceased to exist as a nation in 1795, regaining independence post-WWI.

• Post-WWII, it became the Polish People’s Republic under Soviet influence.

• Economic Challenges:

• By the late 1970s, Poland was heavily indebted after mismanaging funds largely for consumption rather than infrastructure.

• Economic hardships led to discontent among citizens.

• Formation of Solidarity:

• In 1980, workers formed the independent trade union “Solidarity,” seeking better conditions and rights.

• Supported by Pope John Paul II and Catholic Church promoting social justice, Solidarity garnered popular support.

• Government Response:

• Martial law declared in 1981; hardline government struggling to suppress opposition while Gorbachev’s reforms loosen Soviet control.

• Elections of 1989:

• Government made concessions allowing semi-free elections, leading to Solidarity winning a majority unexpectedly.

• By the end of 1989, Poland transitioned to a republic, ending the communist regime.

Key Takeaways on Democratization

• Democracy can emerge from both bottom-up movements (East Germany) and top-down concessions (Poland).

• Understanding preferences within authoritarian regimes is critical; miscalculations by the leadership can lead to significant changes.

• The experiences of East Germany and Poland illustrate the complexity of transitioning from authoritarianism to democracy and highlight the importance of public support and dissent in achieving political change.