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20th Century History : Core content : How secure was the USSR’s control over Eastern Europe?

The document discusses Soviet control over Eastern Europe from 1948 to 1989. It provides background information on how countries like Hungary, Poland, Czechoslovakia lost democratic rights and freedoms after World War 2 and came under strict Soviet control. It then discusses some key events that challenged this control, like the Hungarian uprising in 1956 and Prague Spring reforms in Czechoslovakia in 1968. The Soviet Union used military force to assert its dominance each time. The rise of the Solidarity trade union movement in Poland in the 1980s further declined Soviet influence in the region.

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HOW SECURE WAS THE USSR’S CONTROL OVER EASTERN EUROPE , 1948-1989
BACKGROUND  German had lost the WW2.  Soviet controls:  Lost to have right for democratic govt.  Free speech was lost  Newspaper were censored  Govt. critics will be put into prison  Travelling to the countries in the west was strictly prohibited Stalin has forbid Eastern Bloc from applying Marshall Aid. Causing : 1. Shortage of basics: Milk, coal, and meat. 2. Clothing became very expensive. 3. Consumer goods unavailable : Electric kettles and radios. 4. Wages were lower than those who living and working in Soviet Union Changes in Russia after 1953: 1. Death of Joseph Stalin amidst war in Korea 2. Nikita Kruschev became new President 3. Kruschev allowed greater independence to Eastern Europe to control their own affairs 4. He denounced Stalin and held a de- Stalinisation was to be followed
6.1 WHY WAS THERE OPPOSITION TO SOVIET CONTROL IN HNGARY IN 1956 AND HOW DID THE USSR REACT?
REASONS TO OPPOSITION TO SOVIET UNION  YES, it’s Hungary. They opposed to the Soviet control after the death of Stalin. But why???? 1. Hungary ran by Hungarian Communist Party. But they only won 17% vote during the election 2. People suffered from the strict repression : Censorship, Secret police, Restriction in education, Banning religion from being subversive 3. Hungary was poor and they needed buildings. Most of the industrial production were sent to Russia including food production. 4. People of Hungary were unhappy with the hard line communist leader : Rakosi Gero Imre Nagy (retired) (Unacceptable) (Forming new govt.)
ACTIONS PLANNED BY NAGY’S MOVEMENT? Imre Nagy introduced a plan to change life in Hungary .  A. Free election would be held  B. Law courts became impartial  C. Farm land was to be restored to private ownership  D. Reduction of Soviet Union influence on daily life in Hungary  E. Ensuring the withdrawal of Soviet Union army – some already withdrawn  F. Nagy intended to withdraw Hungary from Warsaw Pact. Why did the Hungarians think they would be successful? 1. Kruschev wanted to reduce control over satellite countries (Eastern Bloc) after the death of Stalin 2. Rising of workers in Poland 1956 made Russia less dependant on Hungary 3. Hungarians was hoping to receive help from United Nation 4. New US president (Eisenhower) made a supportive comment in his speech about the Eastern Bloc
How did the USSR react to this opposition (New ideology of Nagy Plan)  Nikita Kruschev was not preparing to approve Nagy’s reform and he wanted to remove Hungary from Warsaw Pact.  Oct,28 . Kruschev was planning to remove Soviet troops from Hungary  By Nov,11 , Thousands of Soviet troops and 1thousand tanks moved into Budapest. There was a bitter street fighting .  There was about 3000 Hungarians died along with about 8000 Russians. Over 200 thousand fled the country.  Nagy was imprisoned and later executed.
6.2 Why was there opposition to Soviet control in Czechoslovakia in 1968 and how did the USSR react?
Why there are oppositions in Czechoslovakia?  Why?? - Communist were restrictive (there was censorship, no freedom of speech , and secret police became aspect of daily life hated by people. -Standard of living was dropping in 1960’s  Dubcek introduced “ Prague Spring “ in 1968 (socialism with the human face) - Abolition of censorship allowing press to print what they wanted - Freedom of speech allowing criticism of the govt. - Freedom of movement for all people allowing to visit west and other European country. - Dubcek did not want to leave Warsaw Pact weary of what happened in Hungry - Dubcek was planning to cooperate with Romania and Yugoslavia.  What Dubcek wanted for Czechoslovakia? - Less state control, to end press censorship, curb the power of the secret police and right on holding a free election (not one state party) - Improving Czech economy for example right to grow plants for farmers so that they don’t need to be told what type of plant needs to be grown - To increase economic trade with western countries - He wanted to be remembered as loyal to communist (belief in Warsaw Pact) - To have freedom of travelling abroad
Meanwhile in Russia…  In 1968, Brezhnev had taken over as leader of Soviet Union  His aim was to maintain Soviet control over Easter Europe  Czechoslovakia was an important country within Warsaw Pact bcoz of the strength of its industry.  He determined to take action to stop reform in Czechoslovakia  Why??? –bcoz if Czechoslovakia gain more freedom, the other countries would want the same. The Brezhnev Doctrine -Introduced to stop such events happening again in other countries - It stated all Warsaw Pact countries must work together to prevent any country from leaving the pact - Military forces could be used by USSR if any attempt made by any member country. On 20Aug 1968, Soviet tanks moved into Czechoslovakia. There were some fighting occurred . Generally the Czechs refused to cooperate Resulting – Dubcek was removed from power and taken to Moscow
6.3 How similar were events in Hungary in 1956 and in Czechoslovakia in 1968? How were the events similar? How were they different? Causes Both countries had a long term resentment of Soviet rule *Hungary was affected by issues in other countries: The rebellion in Poland inspired them to act *Czech was affected by home issues: Economic depression and desire for political changes Aims of the rebels Both wanted to give their people more right and reducing the control of communist state *In Hungary, the changes included withdrawing from Warsaw pact *Czechoslovakia wanted to remain in Warsaw Pact. Actions of the people Both involved groups of people protesting *In Hungary, it was people who acted at first * In Czech , the people’s actions were largely started by their leaders
How were the events similar? How were they different? Why was Soviet Union intervened? The Soviet Union was very suspicious and fearful that any form of rebellion would spread and lead to a split in its control other countries *Political nature in Czechoslovakia was particularly dangerous for the soviets. Event such “Prague spring” was started by people who were meant to be under Soviet Control How did each state responded to Soviet intervention? Both leader were removed from office. Both resulted in mass *In Hungary , people armed themselves and fought when Soviets attacked *In Czech, Following order from the govt, ppl did not fight back. But there were several protest after Russian invasion including suicide Reaction of the wider world Reactions to both were wholly negative to Soviet use force . Situation in Hungary was discussed at the United Nation. Soviet action upon Czechoslovakia were by some other countries including USA With the Czechoslovakian invasion, some members of the communist Warsaw Pact expressed shock at Soviet actions. Romanian leader complained about Russian intervention
6.4 WHY WAS THE BERLIN WALL BUILT IN 1961? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7YE-N448fg – intro of berlin wall
6.4 WHY WAS THE BERLIN WALL BUILT IN 1961?  What was Berlin Wall? - At the end of WW2, the city of Berlin was split into 4 zones. A wall was constructed to seal Est Berlin from the West - Construction started by 13 August 1961, its originally built with brbed wire but through time became a concrete wall - All crossing point were sealed except one : Checkpoint Charlie - Its divided by a wall 87 miles long to prevent movement of people from East Germany to west - Anyone trying to defect to West was shot  Why people were leaving East Berlin? - Quality of life was much better in the West (due to refusal of Marshall Aid) - In West Berlin, shops were filled with variety of goods and freedom - Significant attraction of capitalism compare to harsh communist regime in East Germany under the hard-line communist leader Walter Ulbricht.
 What was the impact of this movement on East Germany? - Communists feared “brain drain’ as skilled workers including engineers, teachers and lawyers were leaving the countries in hi- numbers. - Negative propaganda was created. The hi numbers of leaving created feeling of unpopularity for communism  What were the immediate consequences of the building of the Berlin wall? - The flow of people from East to Wet stopped - Berlin became a focus of the Cold war
6.5 WHAT WAS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF SOLIDARITY IN POLAND FOR THE DECLINE OF SOVIET INFLUENCE IN EASTERN EUROPE? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTw1CxIjOgw – solidarity movement https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7X5nCOXbQOo – walesa speech
The rise of solidarity  Soviet control over Poland became unpopular  Numerous protest about wages and food price  By 1979 , Polish economy was at peak of crisis – Government had to increase price of goods including foods  Govt blocking any pay increase  Ppl were facing poverty and they responded by going on strikes all across the country  Strike (led by Lech Walesa) on 14 August 1980 - Strikers were worked at the Lenin Shipyard in Gdansk (Danzig) - The strikes had a list of 21 demands as well as demanding the right to form trade union - *trade union (an organized association of workers, often in a trade or profession, formed to protect and further their rights and interests) - By the end of August the right to form union free from govt. control was approved - By mid September , “solidarity” was formed
Why did the communist Polish Government agree to meet the demand of the solidarity? • Impact- general strike will devastate the economy of Poland • Consequence- Solidarity members mainly came from major industry area (shipbuilding and heavy industries Fear of general strike • Majority – The movement represented by 80% workers of wide spectrum of Polish life • Walesa – He was seen as a folk hero by many • News - Union messages spread through newspaper Popularity • Influence – Polish had a strong faith for religion and churches • Peace – Walesa was careful not to provoke the Soviet Union (Not to look down on communist policy )an violence was avoided Support of the Catholic Church
Why was action taken against Solidarity in December 1981?  General Jaruzelski became Prime Minister of Poland in Feb 1981.  Relation was tense between Jaruzelskia and Walesa  Solidarity was allegedly accused for planning a military coup  Consequences – Soviet Union was trying to interfere. Brezhnev sent carried out communist “training” in the Poland border  Resulting – Jaruzelski imposed martial law
How important was solidarity? Solidarity and new reforms a. 1985, Gorbachev became SU leader in Russia. b. He introduced numbers of reforms: c. Release political prisoners connected with solidarity. d. Jaruzelski was still in power and refuse s.u intervention e. By 1988, strike were again sweeping through Poland causing food cost rose up to 40% f. Walesa negotiated with Polish govt. to find solution. g. By 1989, solidarity was again legalised h. Election in april 1989, Solidarity won every seat i. The first non-communist government of post war era formed with Walesa as president  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h ZQwQMj9GKo – leglisation of the solidarity
6.6 HOW FAR WAS GORBACHEV PERSONALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COLLAPSE OF SOVIET CONTROL OVER EASTERN EUROPE?
What was the state of the Soviet Union in 1985 when Gorbachev became leader?  Soviet citizens had no loyalty to the govt. resenting the way their lives were run  The controlling of other countries were outdated. The Soviet Union could no longer afford to maintain military presence in satellite countries.  The Soviet economy was facing a downfall . Too much money was spent for arm race in Afghanistan .  Factories produced cheap product and there were shortage of foods  The living standard was low compared to the west  There was much corruption in government
The role of Gorbachev  He introduced policy of “glasnost” (openness) This involved : a. Freedom of expression -more freedom for media -Allowing news of govt. corruption and criticism of govt. officials -Details about some of Stalin’s brutal excesses were revealed
The role of Gorbachev  He introduced policy of “perestroika” (reconstructing) This aimed to make Soviet economy more modern and efficient. It included : a.Encouraging private ownership of Soviet industry and agriculture b.Reducing state control over imports and exports c.Allowing trade with non-eastern bloc countries d.An increase in the production and trade in consumer goods
Gorbachev and the collapse of communism Reforms was introduced too quickly and without proper thought and planning, plunging into the economic confusion Arms reduction treaties were signed with the US (Ronald Reagan) He abandoned Brezhnev doctrine and established relation with western countries Decided Eastern Europe to choose its own destiny Introduced perestroika to make soviet economy more modern and efficient by increasing production and trade in consumer goods Introduced policy of “ glasnost” this involved freedom of expression
The role of other countries  Between 1989 until 1991 , every communist or former communist in Eastern Europe held a democratic parliamentary elections  November 1989, Berlin Wall was dismantled  By 1990, Germany became united once more  Gorbachev were unable to shield the public from the fact that eastern bloc countries were much poorer than the majority of people in western counties  War in Afghanistan - The war badly overstretched the soviet economy ad demoralised their military - Soviet actions were condemned and were pressured to withdraw - The casualties were significant, the loss of 10,000 soviet army and its impact to the Muslim world
The role of the USA  US president Ronald Reagan sought to end the Cold War.  Reagan and Gorbachev signed treaties to limit nuclear weapons.  The Soviet Union realised they couldn’t compete with the US in the arm race so decided to use diplomacy to secure peace.  Its outdated industry was causing environmental problems, such as explosion at Chernobyl nuclear power plant in 1986.  Role of Ronald Reagan - Support the independent trade Union (solidarity) against communism in Poland - Sent arm forces to the countries to fight with pro soviet groups . Eg: Afghanistan fought against army of Khomeiny - Overthrew pro communist government in Grenada
The fall of berlin wall  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E i1HnWwzmNk – Reagan speech in Charlie checkpoint  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z mRPP2WXX0U - Break o berlin wall