9- The Collapse Of The Soviet Control Of Eastern Europe Flashcards
What was the Sinatra Doctrine?
- Part of Gorbechev’s ‘new thinking’
- Meant SU would no longer favour trade with communist countries over trade with capitalist countries
Why did Gorbachev withdraw troops Soviet troops from Eastern Europe?
He could no longer support them coz the SU economy was failing
When did Gorbachev reject the Brezhnev doctrine?
1988
What did rejecting the Brezhnev doctrine mean for Eastern European countries?
Members of the Warsaw Pact could make changes to their counties without outside interference. This became known as the Sinatra Doctrine
What impact did Gorbachev think the Sinatra Doctrine would have on communism + why was this not possible?
- He wanted to strengthen communism by reform
- However once reform started he was unable to control it
Where did reform first start?
In Poland
When did Hungary open their border to Austria + why was this significant?
- 1989
- There was now a hole in the Iron curtain
- Created a way for EG to move to WG
Explain the events that happened in Poland?
1988- strikes through the country
1989- Mazoweicki becomes first non-communist PM in Eastern Europe ( he was elected)
Explain the events that happened in East Germany
23rd Oct 1989- 300,000 people protest
4 Nov 1989- 1 million protest in Leipzig
9 Nov 1989- Berlin Wall is opened
3 Oct 1990- Germany unify into one country
Explain the events that happened in Hungary
1989- Opens it’s border to Austria
1990- Democratic win elections
Explain the events that happened in Czech?
17 Nov 1989- Demonstrations against communism
24 Nov 1989- Communist gov resigns
9 Dec 1989- Vaclav Have becomes first non-comm president
1990- Democratic elections won by Civil Forum ( anti-comm group)
Explain the events that happen in Bulgaria?
1990- Democratic elections won by renamed communist party
Explain the events that happened in Romania (the most brutal gov in Eastern Europe)
16 Dec 1989- Secret police fire on Demonstrators in Timisoara
22nd-24th Dec- Army joins rebellion + fights secret police
25 Dec- Ceasusearu and wife shot by firing squad
1990- Elections won by National Salvation Front ( lots of ex -comms)
Why was Soviet publications banned in east Germany in the 80’s?
They believed they would undermine communism
By 1989, lots of EG people were calling for change. What did they want + how did they demonstrate this?
- Wanted changes to the system of gov
- Demonstration occurred demanding democracy and freedom
Why did Hungary opening border have an impact on EG?
- There was mass movement as many left from east to west
- EG gov was forced to announce freedom for travel for EG citizens
What happened on the 9th Nov 1989 + How did this effect EG + WG?
- People began to dismantle the Berlin Wall
- Relatives+ people got to see each other within a few days
When did Germany join NATO?
1991 + Warsaw Pact dissolved
Because of the reforms, how was Gorbachev seen to the people of SU + what prize did he win?
- Nobel Peace Prize 1990
- Was seen as a villain in the SU but as a hero by many of the world
Who organised a group to remove Gorbachev from power? Why?
- ‘Gang of Eight’
- Coup organised on 19th Aug 1991
- They believe that perestrokia + glasnot had weakened communism rather than reviving it
- They did remove him from power
How long did the new gov last after Gorbachev left?
3 days
Who was Boris Yeltsin?
The Chair of Russian Supreme Soviet
He called on the people of Moscow to resist the new gov
When did Gorbachev return to Moscow?
Aug 21st + resumed as leader
What happened to the Baltic states ( Soviet republics) (Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia)between 1990 and 1991? Why?
- Gorbachev introduced a new constitution to attempt to save SU
- Decided to give these stars greater Indépendance
- However they wanted full independence+ broke away from Moscow
- 1990- declared themselves independent
When did Gorbachev announce the collapse of the SU?
- 25 Dec 1991
- he also resigned on this date
- SU split into several independent states
When did the Warsaw Pact end?
July 1991
Why did the Warsaw Pact end?
- Poland, Hungary, EG all rejected communism
- SU military had been questioned in Afghanistan
- SU weak economy meant that it could not continue the Pact
Who declared the Cold War over + where?
- George Bush Senior, the American president with Gorbachev
- Malta Summit
- 1989
What acc need the Cold War!
The fall of the SU in December 1991
