Collapse of Soviet control of Eastern Europe

Question 1

What problems did the Soviet Union have in the early 1980?

Answer 1

• Economic: During the Brezhnev era huge sums of money were spent on developing arms to keep pace with the USA. Investment in the USSR’s economy was low.
• Low standards of living and lack of human rights, which led to unrest in Satellite states (Poland).
• A run of short-lived leaders, leading to political instability (Brezhnev died 1982, Andropov 1984, Chernenko 1985).

Question 2

When did Gorbachev come to power?

Answer 2

March 1985.

Question 3

What limitations on Nuclear weapons were made 1985-1989?

Answer 3

• INF (Intermediate-range Nuclear Force Treaty).

- Malta summit in 1989 was officially seen as the end of the Cold War by both countries.

Question 4

What did Gorbachev do with the Brezhnev Doctrine?

Answer 4

The Brezhnev Doctrine would be dropped. The Soviet Union would no longer get involved in the domestic affairs of other countries.

Question 5

Name 3 Satellite States that moved to end Soviet control in 1989-90. Describe how each country did this

Answer 5

• Poland: Solidarity is legalised and wins a landslide victory in Polish elections.
• Hungary: The government takes down the fence on the border with Austria. It promises a new democratic government with free elections.
• Czechoslovakia: The velvet revolution overthrows the communist revolution. The anti-communist Vaclav Havel is elected president.

Question 6

What was the Berlin Wall?

Answer 6

A fortified wall which divided East Berlin from West Berlin.

Question 7

Describe the Fall of the Berlin Wall?

Answer 7

The East German government announced that the border crossing to West Berlin would be opened. Thousands of East Berliners force their way through the border crossing. People on both sides of the Wall start to pull it down. East and West Germany are formally reunited in 1990.

Question 8

What was the Warsaw Pact and why did in end?

Answer 8

A military pact between different Soviet States.
As communist governments came under pressure in Eastern Europe it was impossible for the Warsaw Pact to survive. Military co-operation between the member states became impossible.

Question 9

When did the Warsaw Pact end?

Answer 9

The Warsaw Pact was formally dissolved in July 1991.

Question 10

When did Gorbachev resign from power?

Answer 10

25th December 1991