How secure was the USSR's control over Eastern Europe? - After mock Flashcards
What were the main events in Hungary in 1956?
Nagy tried to reform Hungary of which the Soviet Union had allowed (end of secret police and better living conditions, no red army and free elections) but when he proposed to leave the Warsaw Pact, USSR needed to take action Armed uprising (believed they had the support of Eisenhower) as a result of Hungary trying to leave the Warsaw Pact, as a result the USSR brought in the red army to bring down the uprising
Around 3000 Hungarians killed, 1000 Russians and Nagy was executed and restored what it was before and a harsh leader was put in place of Nagy, Kadar took over.
What were the main features of the Prague Spring?
Dubček wanted to keep Czechoslovakia in the Warsaw Pact but wanted to make reforms - wanted to create communism with a human face.
Prague spring- spring new things, bringing in new things
New ideas- more free speech, less power for the secret police (get rid of fear), western influence and open borders for trade, wanted privately owned farmland in places
USSR and other soviet leaders like Walter ulbricht (east Germany), felt these new reforms were threatening their power
— led to the Brezhnev doctrine
What reforms did Gorbachev introduce in the soviet uprising?
Glasnost—openness, freedom of speech— criticism of communism within media and corruption was exposed
Perestroika— economic restructuring
— trade with the west
— bankruptcy on the horizon
Why was there opposition to communist control in Hungary?
(— 2 very detailed point or 3 detailed points
— 10 minutes on 6 marker )
-Living standards were poor and declining
-They saw that people in west Germany had much better lives
They were being told in the media that there lives were really good but they began to question this and question the theory of communism— did not understand the lies of the communists, young and educated especially.
- lack of freedom, presence of the red army and secret police — the fact that they were living in fear
— Stalin dies in 1953- Khrushchev secret speech gave them hope (de-stalin-isation) , believed he would understand and not come in with tanks, gave them hope to get rid of communism and force a reform — removed soldiers from Austria, released political prisoners
Why was solidarity so popular in Poland?
Solidarity- it was a trade union within Poland, crisis in 1979
— workers wanted higher wages, better working conditions, welfare benefits
- prices of meat had risen incredibly, but no increases in wage — quality of life not as good
— workers wanted broadcast of Catholic Church services
—— SOLIDARITY HAD THE SUPPORT OF THE POPE (who was Polish)
It’s leader was Lech Walesa (ship worker) - inspired other workers in the country to strike— folk hero
— as a result the government agreed to the 21 demands, due to the people power— more support for solidarity
October 1980- 7 million members
— government could not ignore the amount of members
Why did Reagan’s policies cause problems for Soviet leaders ?
Reagan approached ‘Peace through strength’
— so far ahead in the arms race that would force the communists to an arms agreement
SDI—Star Wars— lasers protecting them against incoming missiles (inter-continental ballistic missiles)
- 1983
- destroys the theory of MAD- mutual assured destruction
— Communists angry because they can’t compete due to being on the edge of bankruptcy, haven’t got any clear leadership as many die because being so old, lazy workforce.
-also heavily involved in the Afghanistan war
Reagan offers the USSR the zero option but they don’t agree because of the theory of Star Wars which Reagan was adamant that he would not get rid of Star Wars
‘Opposition to Soviet rule in Hungary was not a serious threat to Moscow. ‘ how far do you agree with this statement?
Hungary threat- the reforms, fear of loss of control for example the Warsaw Pact would create a hole in the iron curtain — could lead to escape routes to west and leave to talented workers leaving (BRAIN DRAIN)
- fear of Warsaw Pact breaking up
- USA might of helped Hungary (suez crisis- also in 1956, as well they might of not got involved because it wasn’t containment- no hot war)
However the USSR could easily crush Hungary (they did in 2 weeks)
Wouldn’t be happy also with: — no red army — no secret police — free elections Might lead to other countries following suit- knock on affect
Support from other countries to go in Hungary (such as Walter ulbricht from east Germany)
How far was Gorbachev responsible for the end of communist control over Eastern Europe
Glasnost
Perestroika
Break down of Brezhnev doctrine
— caused the breaking up of the Soviet Union, Gorbachev did not see that it was expose all the corruption
It wasn’t all Gorbachev there were other reasons such as the USSR was practically bankrupt before Gorbachev came into power — no power to use the force of red army to keep control.
— brings in his policies because of the terrible conditions that the USSR is in
