18- Post-war central and eastern Europe (repression... 1968-89) Flashcards
Give an overview of what happened in the states of eastern and central Europe from 1968 to 1989
- From 1968 until 1980, the states of eastern and central Europe accepted their communist governments and Soviet control; there were no more rebellions.
- However, resistance and resentment did not go away. The states remained under communist one-party control with different degrees of oppression.
- The economies of each country failed to flourish, and in countries such as Poland, reached crisis point in the 1980s.
- In 1989 the governments finally started to collapse; though the specific reasons for collapse differed in each country, the impact of Gorbachev’s reforms were to prove crucial in how events unfolded.
What happened in Poland in 1956 and 1968 and how did this carry through to the future?
- Political agitation had already taken place in Poland - in 1956 and in 1968.
- In both cases the unrest had been stopped by the party without Soviet intervention.
- However, the underlying economic and social forces that had caused the unrest had not been addressed.
Describe the reasons and effects of the strikes in Gdansk in 1970
- In 1970, the government’s decision to increase food prices by 20 per cent led to strikes in the shipyards of the port of Gdansk.
- At least 50 people were killed as the security forces restored order and the crisis led to Gomulka’s resignation and his replacement by Edward Gierek.
Describe how opposition grew in Poland in the 1970s and what this led to
- Unrest continued throughout the 1970s as dissatisfaction with the PUWP grew.
- A new economic programme failed to deal with food shortages and new opposition forces developed, the most important of which was the Workers’ Defence Committee (KOR).
How was the Polish church involved with Polish society?
- The Polish church remained a dominant force in Polish society and Catholics received an enormous boost when a Polish Cardinal became the new Pope - John Paul II.
- When the Pope visited Poland in 1979, Poles enthusiastically showed their commitment to the church rather than to Marxism.
What does John Lewis Gaddis think about Poles’ attitudes towards the Pope John Paul II?
ohn Lewis Gaddis writes ‘When John Paul II kissed the ground at the Warsaw airport on June 2, 1979, he began a process by which Communism in Poland - and ultimately everywhere else in Europe - would come to an end.’
Describe the state of Poland’s government by 1980
It was in a very weak position; Gierek’s authority had been weakened by both the Pope’s visit and by the economic crisis.
Describe the state of Poland’s economy by 1980
Due to having taken out loans from the West after 1968 Poland was now in debt to the West by $25 billion and goods needed to be exported to bring in hard currency; this further increased shortages at home.
What did Poland’s economic crisis in 1980 lead to?
Due to having taken out loans from the West after 1968 Poland was now in debt to the West by $25 billion and goods needed to be exported to bring in hard currency; this further increased shortages at home.
More info on solidarity needed?
What were the origins of ‘Solidarity’?
- They thought it would remove power from the authorities
- Polish economy in crisis- shortages everywhere
- Country burdened by foreign debt
- Workers at Gdansk shipyard had an illegal strike
- What began as an economic protest turned into a demand for sweeping political concessions (evolution into a political protest)
- Gave people an identity
Why was Solidarity such a threat to the Polish government and to the Soviets?
- It fundamentally undermined the ideology of Eastern European and Soviet dominated socialism in which workers and their practices were controlled by the state
- It quickly evolved into a political organisation campaigning not just for improved workers’ conditions but also freedom of speech and more freedom in religion
- It was supported by both Polish intellectuals and the Catholic Church of Poland
- It provided a channel through which Polish national consciousness could be expressed
How did the Soviets feel about ‘Solidarity’?
- The Kremlin wanted to end Solidarity
- The Soviets were tightening the screws on the Poles
What did Jaruzelski declare in 1981 in Poland and what did thie lead to?
General Jaruzelski declared martial law in 1981 and declared a state of emergency; Solidarity was banned and Walsea and many other members of Solidarity were imprisoned.
How did ‘Solidarity’ continue even after it was banned in 1981? (previous flashcard)
While communist rule, backed up with Soviet support survived, dissent simmered beneath the surface; Solidarity continued to operate underground publishing hundreds of underground books and acting as an inspiration to radical reformers in other Eastern Bloc states.
How did the Polish economy deteriorate in the 1980s?
- In 1986 the government defaulted on $1.4 billion of debt repayments to the West and the government failed to win enough support in a referendum in 1987 on introducing an austerity package.
- By 1989 Poland’s economy had entered another crisis.
- Its debt now stood at $56 billion while the cost of food had gone up by an average of 48% in 1988 which led to further strikes.
What allowed ‘Solidarity’ to be successful?
According to Judt, what factors contributed to the eventual downfall of the Communist rulers in Poland?
What factors led to the collapse of Communist control in Poland?
- The Catholic Church
- Key personalities: Pope John Paul II and Walesa
- The role of ‘Solidarity’
- The economic situation
- Gorbachev’s refusal to intervene
Give an overview of Kádár’s rule after 1956 and in the 60s and 70s
Kádár had shown some degree of flexibility in running Hungary after 1956 and some limited freedoms had been allowed in the 1960s and 1970s.
Describe the political and economic system in Hungary between 1968 and 89
- Multi-candidate elections became compulsory from 1983, and in 1985 some independent Party candidates were voted into parliament.
- This relatively liberal system of government was known informally as ‘Goulash’ Communism.
- During the 1970s, the Kádár government relied increasingly on loans from Western banks to finance the material incentives that constituted an essential element of ‘Goulash communism’.
Although there were some freedoms in Hungary after 1956 and there was a relatively liberal political system, there were still ___
Limits to these changes and many younger Party members were frustrated by the lack of economic reform.
Info on positive/negative aspects of Kádár’s rule needed?
What does Tony Judt say about the collapse of communism in Hungary in 1989?
‘It was a curiosity of the Hungarian exit from Communism that it was conducted by the Communists themselves..it was the only passage from a Communist regime to a genuine multi-party system effected entirely from within’’.
‘[the symbolic reburial of Nagy] was an admission of defeat, an acknowledgement that the Party and its leadership had lived and taught and imposed a lie’
When did communism collapse in Hungary?
1989
Why did domestic opposition emerge in Hungary in the mid 1980s?
- The poor economic situation
- Inspiration from Gorbachev’s reforms
Describe the opposition groups that were formed in Hungary in the 1980s
In September 1987 the Hungarian Democratic Forum (HDF) was formed, followed by the Allince of Young Democrats (FIDESZ) and other parties.
How did Kádár respond to the formation of opposition groups in Hungary in the 1980s and what did this lead to?
- Although Kádár had allowed some freedoms, he was unable to tolerate any kind of fundamental reform of the system and this attitude was no longer sustainable; it was clear that geneuine economic reform could not take place without political reform to accompany it.
- Thus, Kádár was removed and replaced by Karoly Grósz.
Who replaced Kádár?
Karoly Grósz
How did the political situation in Hungary change when Kádár was replaced by Grósz?
- A group of ‘New’ Communists in Hungary now pushed for economic and political reform.
- In March 1989, the Communists began talks with an alliance of opposition parties known as the Opposition Round Table.
What happened in Hungary in October 1989 and what did this lead to?
- The reformers within the Communist party triumphed at an Extraordinary Congress and the Party’s name was changed to the Hungarian Socialist Party (HSP).
- However, the reformed communist party failed to convince the Hungarian population and in a referendum on the constitution held in November the HSP did badly.
What happened in the parliamentary elections of March and April 1990 in Hungary?
- Following the parliamentary elections of March and April 1990, which were the first completely free parliamentary elections in the Eastern bloc, the HSP secured only 8 per cent of the vote.
- The HDF in coalition with two other parties then established the first non-communist government since the 1940s.
The building of the Berlin Wall succeeded in ___
Keeping in the East Germany population and allowed the country to achieve more economic and political stability.
Describe Honecker’s rule and his attitude towards the Berlin Wall
- Honecker, who replaced Ulbricht in 1971 with the support of Brezhnev, was also a hardliner who continued to strengthen the border between both Wast and East Germany and between West and East Berlin.
- Anyone attempting to cross to the West could be shot; during Honecker’s time in office around 125 East Germans were killed while trying to reach the West.
What was Honecker’s goal and how did this differ from that of the leadership’s? (clarify?)
- Whereas the leadership’s stated objective had been a reunified Germany under socialist leadership, the goal was now one of ‘separate development’ (Argrenzung) which reflected more accurately the actual political situation.
- He also moved towards normalising relations with West Germany.
Describe the signing of the Four Power Agreement in 1971 (GDR)
This reaffirmed the special status of Berlin and new trade and travel arrangements between West Germany and Berlin.
What events took place in East Germany in 1972 and 73 and what was the significance of these?
- In 1972 the Basic Treaty was signed between the two Germanies; they now recognised each other’s sovereignty and equal status.
- In 1973, in what is considered as one of Honecker’s greatest political successes, both East and West Germany joined the United Nations as separate nations.
What developments were made in the relations between East and West Germany in 1984?
- Improved relations continued when the mines along the borders between the GDR and the FRG were removed.
- His achievements in this area were welcome to many ordinary Germans because divided families were now more easily able to make contact.
