13 - End of the USSR Flashcards
1
Q
Glasnost and Perestroika in Eastern Europe
A
- glasnost: more openness and less corruption in the government, people allowed to criticise the government
- perestroika: state and economy reformed to include some capitalist ideas
- this encouraged satellite states to introduce changes that increased their quality of life
2
Q
What happened in Poland as a result of the end of the Brezhnev Doctrine?
A
June 1989 - Solidarity legalised and took power
3
Q
When was the fall of the Berlin Wall?
A
November 1989
4
Q
What happened during the fall of the Berlin Wall in November 1989?
A
- citizens of East Berlin demanded the checkpoints to the West be opened
- Berliners from both sides attacked the walls
- families that had been apart for 30 years were reunited
- communist leader of East Germany sacked
5
Q
When was Germany reunited as one country?
A
October 1990
6
Q
What happened as a result of the Warsaw Pact?
A
- countries became independent of the Soviet Union and could govern themselves
- every former member of the Warsaw Pact abandoned communism - reflected badly on Gorbachev
7
Q
First anti-Gorbachev coup attempt
A
- August 1991
- Gang of Eight (hard-line communists) staged a coup
- they blamed him for losing control of Eastern Europe
- he managed to keep power but his authority was severely damaged
8
Q
Successful coup
A
- 12/15 leaders of other Soviet Republics took advantage of his weakness from the failed coup
- formed Commonwealth of Independent States
- Gorbachev could not continue under these circumstances
9
Q
When did Gorbachev resign and when happened directly after?
A
- December 1991
- collapse of the Soviet Union
10
Q
What happened between 1989-1990?
A
Eastern European countries replaced communist governments. Communist leaders overthrown, free elections held. All Baltic states declared themselves independent by end of 1990.
