The Collapse Of Communism In Easten Europe

Question 1

1st KU and analysis point

Answer 1

KU
• Hungary was the first satellite state to declare independence from the USSR in 1989.

Analysis
• when they became independent the Soviet Union did not react and other satellite states followed in their steps.

Question 2

2nd KU and analysis point

Answer 2

KU
• In East Germany 1989 there was large protests demanding free elections and the reunification of Germany from the government.

Analysis
• Instead of the protests being shutdown by force the government decided to open the Berlin Wall which meant the divide between East and West was broken and it also meant all the sympathetic puppet governments had been brought down.

Question 3

Analysis plus point

Answer 3

• However it could be argued that this was not that significant in ending the Cold War because even after all the members of the Warsaw Pact had become independent the USSR still existed and did not officially break up until 1991.