challenges to soviet control in eastern europe Flashcards
what were uprisings in eastern Europe caused by?
Krushchev’s Destalinisation
it gave people the hope that living conditions would improve and they did not
What happened in Berlin in 1953?
Ulbricht raised production targets by 10% but without increasing pay
4000,000 workers took to the streets calling for free elections, lifting quotas and pay
How did the government respond to the Berlin crisis of 1953?
with force, arresting and executing protest leaders
What happened in Poland and 1956?
the death of the communist leader sparked calls for more political liberalisation and so riots broke out among factory workers about production targets but they were put down with heavy casualties
What happened after the people were put down in Poland 1956?
People turned to Gomulka, who seeked polish independence. the polish government feared this and ordered Red Army units to stop the lection but Gomulka didn’t back down and promised to keep Poland part of the warsaw pact
What happened in Hungary in 1956?
a large demonstration in Budapest demanded the removal of soviet troops and a new government
What was the response to Hungary 1956?
The previous PM stepped down to avoid violenceand Nagy was appointed PM
The USSR mobilised 30,000 troops and Nagy threated to withdraw Hungary from the Warsaw pact-heavy fighting took place, mainly in the countryside between rebel Hungarians and soviet troops
What happened in Prague in 1968?
Dubcek like Nagy in Hungary wanted to create a socialist system based on the will of the people and not the USSR and he unveiled his plans to start the Prague spring.
What was the Prague spring?
Dubcek abolished censorship, leading to a flood of anti-Soviet propaganda.
Dubcek reluctantly reintroduced censorship and Warsaw troops invaded Czech and terminated the Prague spring
The Breznev doctrine justified this as it said that any threat to socialism would be a threat to it’s allies and so action could be taken.
What happened in Poland in 1980?
Poland was facing economic crisis and prices had gone up by 200%, leading to strikes breaking out in a shipyard.
membership of solidarity movement (trade union) rose to 8 million and was supported by pope john paul. Brezhnev urged the polish PM to crush any anti-socialist opposition forces.
What happened in Poland in 1981 (towards the end of solidarity)?
Solidarity called for drastic change and at congress they attempted to dismantle the party
Poland then issues martial law (military rule involving the suspension of normal civilian government) and solidarity is outlawed.
