Weakening soviet control over eastern europe Flashcards
What economic problems were there in Poland between 1980 and 1981?
Standard of living as low and declining
serious food shortages from 1980
government could no longer afford to subsidise food
prices kept rising
What political unrest in Poland was caused by the economic problems?
3rd may 1980 - Polish people took to the streets in large scale protests
august 1980 - Gdansk strike organised by Solidarity
Who were Solidarity?
An illegal trade union
What was the governments response to the political unrest in Poland?
Initially the government compromised and allowed wage increases
However as the people still demanded more in December 1981 the Polish Premier introduced martial law
200 000 people arrested
revolt crushed
When was pope John Paul elected and what was significant about his election?
1979
first polish pope to be elected
What was pope John Paul’s role in the Poland crisis?
popular with the protestors
gave them authority
a picture of the people was placed on the Gdansk shipyard during the Gdansk strike
When did Gorbachev become the soviet premier?
1985
What was perestroika?
restructuring
more powers given to workers and managers
removed power from soviet central planning
What was glasnost?
openness
reduction of censorship
When was the Geneva summit?
November 1985
What happened at the Geneva summit?
Gorbachev proposed a 50% cut in total US and USSR nuclear weapons if the USA dropped SDI
Reagan refused to drop SDI
no agreements met
When was the Reykjavik summit?
September 1986
What was agreed at the Reykjavik summit?
Gorbachev proposed they should aim to eliminate all nuclear weapons by the year 2000 if Reagan dropped SDI
Reagan refused to drop SDI and so no agreement was not met
When was the INF treaty?
December 1987
What was the INF treaty?
Intermediate range nuclear forces
USA and USSR agreed that all intermediate ranged nuclear missiles should be scrapped
meant a reduction of 1750 soviet missiles and 850 US missiles
