Significance Of Events In Poland Flashcards
How was the anti communist sentiment effected by events in the Soviet Union and Gorbachev
It strengthened
What happened in other countries as a result of gorbachev’s policies
Other countries realised that Gorbachev would not take harsh action against anti-communist efforts
It changed the relationship between those countries and ten Soviet Union
What happened to the Soviet Union under gorbachev’s reforms
It wanted more equal relationships with the Eastern European states
Was no longer prepared to use armed forces to get its way
How did Gorbachev’s policies create difficulties for the communist parties and leaders in the Eastern European satellite states
They had to acknowledge that:
Gorbachev had declared Marxism to be a failure
The communist party was not always right
Thy could no longer depend on soviet military aid
What did the free elections in Poland result in for other countries
Peaceful anti-communist revolutions which led to the fall of communist regimes. It inspired the oppressed people in other Eastern European countries to stand together and fight for independence. It showed that the communist parties were not prepared to use force to get their way.
What happened in east Germany
There was a change of leader and mass street protests
What happened in Hungary
Demonstrations and then free elections
What happened in czechoslovakia
Soviet-led forces invaded and reinstated communist leaders
Charter 77 formed (human rights movement) led to a Velvet Revolution. Communist regime fell and Havel became new president
What happened in Hungary and Bulgaria
Governments made concession but it made them look weak
What happened in Romania
Ceausescu made himself dictator
- oppressed people and he lived in luxury
- he ordered police to open fire in a mass protest
- several hundred died before his men turned against him
- he was arrested and executed with his wife on Christmas
Why did people in Eastern Europe demand change
1) democracy- people wanted free elections and political parties (wasn’t allowed)
2) economic- inefficient economy: not enough food/ consumer goods, people wanted to run own business
3) social- low standard of living: high unemployment, food prices, shortage of consumer goods, poor living/working conditions
4) religious- wanted freedom of religion. Communist government persecuted churches and learners
5) nationalism- freedom from outside control, communist party and expected loyalty to communism and Soviet Union
In which countries were multi-party elections held
Romania, czechoslovakia, Hungary, east Germany and Bulgaria
