6. How secure was the USSR’s control over Eastern Europe, 1948-1989? Flashcards
Why did Hungary oppose the Soviet Union’s control?
- the Soviet party only got 17% of the votes.
- the government was repressive and strict with the implementation of censorship and secret police.
- religion was banned for being subversive.
- much of the industrial production was sent to Russia decreasing the standard of living.
- thousands of Soviet troops and officials which they had to pay for were living in Hungary.
- they didn’t like the hard-line communist leader Rákosi or Gerö.
What actions did Nagy’s government plan?
He introduced his plans to:
- hold free elections.
- have impartial law courts.
- restore farm land as private ownership.
- reduce the Soviet influence on the Hungarian daily life.
- ensure the total removal of the Soviet army.
- withdraw Hungary from the Warsaw Pact.
Why did the Hungarians think they would be successful?
- Khrushchev wanted reduced control over the satellite countries after Stalin’s death.
- Russia had given in to some of Poland’s demands in June 1956.
- they thought they had the support of the US and UN.
How did the USSR react to the opposition in Hungary?
At first Khrushchev seemed prepared to accept some of the reforms. He did not want Hungary to leave the Warsaw Pact. On the 28th of October he did agree to remove Soviet troops.
On the 4th of November however thousands of Soviet troops and tanks moved into Budapest. Around 8000 Russians and 3000 Hungarians died. 200000 fled the country.
Nagy was imprisoned and later executed.
Why did Czechoslovakia oppose Soviet control?
- repressive + secret police
- the economy was struggling
- Dubcek introduced the idea of a “Prague Spring” in 1968 (“socialism with a human face”). His proposals included:
- the abolition of censorship
- freedom of speech
- increased rights to trade unions and the creation of worker’s councils
- freedom of movement
- Dubcek made it clear that he had no intention of leaving the Warsaw Pact or end it’s alliance with the Soviet Union
- Dubcek did intend to cooperate with Romania and Yugoslavia to increase Soviet concerns.
Brezhnev?
He instructed Dubcek to stop his reforms.
Pressure was put on him by the East German leader.
Troops from countries in the Warsaw Pact carried out training in the Czech border.
On the 20th of August tanks moved into Czechoslovakia. Dubcek was taken to Moscow.
The Brezhnev Doctrine was introduced to stop such events happening again. All Warsaw Pact countries should work together to prevent one from leaving and military force by the USSR could be used.
How similar were the events in Hungary (1956) and Czechoslovakia (1968)?
Causes:
Same: both countries had long term resentment of the Soviet rule.
Different: Hungary was inspired by other countries (e.g. Poland). Czechoslovakia was encouraged due to economic depression.
Aims of the rebels:
Same: more rights and less control by the communist state.
Different: Warsaw Pact.
Actions of the people:
Same: protests
Different: in Hungary the people acted first. In Czechoslovakia the leader acted first.
Why the Soviet Union intervened:
Same: domino effect.
Different: Czechoslovakian leader was under Soviet control…
How each state responded to Soviet intervention:
Same: mass emigration + leaders being removed from office.
Different: Hungarians fought back, Czechs didn’t.
Reaction of the wider world:
Same: negative towards the Soviet force.
Different: with Czechoslovakia Warsaw Pact countries expressed surprise.
Why were people leaving East Berlin and what impact did this have on East Germany?
The quality of life was better in the West (Marshall aid + reparation fees).
Freedom was also greater.
A “brain dead” population. Negative propaganda.
What were the immediate consequences of the building of the Berlin Wall?
The flow of people from East to West stopped. Berlin became a focus for the Cold War.
What was solidarity in Poland?
By 1979 the Polish economy was at a crisis point.
In July 1980 the government was forced to raise the prices of goods whilst blocking any pay increases.
People responded by going on strikes.
On the 14th of August, one was led by Lech Walsea at the Lenin Shipyard in Danzig. They had 21 demands as well as demanding the right to form a trade union.
By the end of august trade unions free from government control was accepted.
By mid-September, “Solidarity” was formed.
Why did the Polish communist government agree to meet the demands of solidarity?
- fear of a general strike devastating the Polish economy.
- the movement was supported by 80% of the workers from a wide variety of life. Walesa was seen as a hero.
- support of the Catholic Church, the Polish were very religious.
Why was action taken against Solidarity in December 1981?
General Jaruzelski became the Prime Minister of Poland in February 1981.
In December, Jaruzelski claimed he had evidence that the Solidarity leaders were planning a coup.
Brezhnev ordered the red army to carry out “training” on the Polish border.
Martial law was imposed and solidarity was outlawed. Walesa and many of the leaders were imprisoned.
Events showed that without military force, communist control was…
How important was solidarity?
In 1985 Gorbachev became the leader of the Soviet Union. He released the political prisoners connected to Solidarity. However his reforms did not improve Poland’s economic situation.
By 1988, food costs rose by 40% so strikes were very prominent.
In April 1989, Solidarity was legalised: it won every seat it contested and so the first non-communist government of the post-war era was formed with Walesa as president.
Solidarity demonstrated to the rest of the eastern bloc that communist control could be resisted.
What was the state of the Soviet Union in 1985 when Gorbachev became leader?
- Soviet citizens had no loyalty to the government.
- the Soviet Union could no longer afford the cost of maintaining a military presence in European satellite states.
- the economy was weak as too much money was being spent on the arms race and the war in Afghanistan.
- factories were still run the same way as when Stalin was in power.
- the standard of living was low.
- there was much corruption in the Government.
What were Gorbachev’s policies?
- Gorbachev introduced a policy of “glasnot” (openness). This involved the freedom of expression with more freedoms for the media, allowing news to be critical towards the government officials and their corruption. Citizens became aware about some of Stalin’s brutal excesses.
- another policy was “perestroika” (restructuring) this included:
- encouraging private ownership of industry and agriculture.
- reducing state control over imports and exports.
- allowing trade with non-eastern bloc countries.
- an increase in production and trade of consumer goods.
- he allowed attempts at democracy in Warsaw Pact countries and did not implement troops within them.
- he abandoned the Brezhnev Doctrine.
- arms reduction treaties were signed with the US.
