Collapse of Soviet control of Eastern Europe

Question 1

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

Answer 1

1. Economic - During the Brezhnev era huge sums of money were spent of developing arms to keep pace with the USA.
2. Low standards of living and lack of Human Rights, which lead to unrest in satellite states.
3. A run of short-lived leaders which lead to instability

Question 2

When did Gorbachev come to power ?

Answer 2

March 1985

Question 3

What did Gorbachev do with the Brezhnev Doctrine ?

Answer 3

It was dropped, the Soviet Union would no longer get involved with the domestic affairs of other countries

Question 4

What limitations on Nuclear weapons were made 1985-89 ?

Answer 4

INF ( Intermediate-range Nuclear Force Treaty )

Question 5

Name 3 Satellite States that moved to end Soviet control in 1989-90. Describe how each of them did it.

Answer 5

1. Poland - Solidarity is legalised and wins a landslide victory in Polish elections.
2. Hungary - the government takes down the fence on the border with Austria. It promises a new democratic government with free elections.
3. 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 and 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 force it down. Germany is formally reunited in 1990

Question 8

What was the Warsaw pact and why did it end ?

Answer 8

A military pact between different Soviet States. As communist governments came under pressure in Eastern Europe it was impossible to survive. Military cooperation between the member states became impossible

Question 9

When did the Warsaw Pact end ?

Answer 9

July 1991

Question 10

When did Gorbachev fall from power ?

Answer 10

25th December 1991

Question 11

How did Gorbachev fall from power ?

Answer 11

In 1991 the communist hardliners stages a coup against Gorbachev. 12 leaders of other Soviet Socialist Republics took advantage of Gorbachev’s weakness and joined together in a commonwealth of independent states. Gorbachev resigned