Downloaded 22 times
Uploaded byGreg Sill
Fall of communism
The document summarizes the fall of communism in Eastern Europe from the 1950s through the 1990s. It discusses key events such as Stalin's death in 1953 and the reforms enacted under Khrushchev that allowed for more freedoms. It then covers the Hungarian Revolution of 1956 and Prague Spring protests of 1968 that were crushed by the Soviet Union. Major reforms under Gorbachev in the 1980s, including glasnost and perestroika, weakened Soviet control and led Eastern European nations to demand more freedoms and hold free elections. This resulted in the fall of communist governments across Eastern Europe between 1989-1990 and the reunification of Germany.
More Related Content
Fall of communism
- 1. The Fall of Communismin Eastern Europe
- 2. KOREAN WAR 1950- 1953
- 3. STALIN DIES IN1953
- 4. Changes After theDeath of Stalin Nikita KhushchevCalls for “peaceful competition” with capitalist states
- 5. The Cold WarWorld!The Cold War World! Eastern European Nations began to push for more freedoms! Eastern European Nations began to push for more freedoms! Modification of Nation- State Rivalry: 1. NATO and Warsaw Pact: Alliance systems of democratic West and communist East. Modification of Nation- State Rivalry: 1. NATO and Warsaw Pact: Alliance systems of democratic West and communist East.
- 6. Discuss with groupmembers the main ideas and highlights of the “Point Alpha” homework video! Discuss with group members the main ideas and highlights of the “Point Alpha” homework video! Point Alpha: Geisa, GermanyPoint Alpha: Geisa, Germany Film ClipFilm Clip
- 7. The Death Strip!TheDeath Strip! The Iron Curtain and the Fulda Gap! The Iron Curtain and the Fulda Gap! Wolfgang Christmann: Former West German border guard Wolfgang Christmann: Former West German border guard
- 8. I. Hungary –October 1956 • ____________ formed a new government which promised free elections and demanded Soviet troops leave Hungary. • Hungarian army joined with protesters to overthrow the Soviet-controlled gov’t. Imre Nagy
- 9. 9 USSR Crushes Rebellions • Soviet_______ rolled into Hungary and killed 30,000 Hungarians. • Soviets replaced the Hungarian government with Soviet leaders. • Imre Nagy was ______________. • US and UN did nothing to help. tanks executed
- 10. II. Cold WarTension A. 1960 – The ____________________ • Khrushchev cancels summit meeting with Kennedy when a US air force plane is captured in the USSR U-2 Incident C. 1962 - __________________________________ “We’re eyeball to eyeball and I think the other fellow just blinked.” • President Kennedy warns the Soviets to remove missiles from Cuba. • After a tense week, the Soviets pulled missiles out. B. 1961 - ____________________ erected to prevent the flow of East Germans into West Berlin. Cuban Missile Crisis Berlin Wall
- 11. East German borderguards constructing the Berlin Wall in August, 1961 East German border guards constructing the Berlin Wall in August, 1961
- 12. East German borderguard Conrad Schumann jumping over the Berlin Wall on August 15, 1961 East German border guard Conrad Schumann jumping over the Berlin Wall on August 15, 1961
- 13. D. 1964 –Khrushchev voted out, _________________ in!Leonid Brezhnev E. The United States, under President Johnson, increases its presence in South Vietnam, accusing the Soviets of supporting the communist North.
- 14. • In 1968,Prague Spring - Czech communist leader, Alexander Dubcek introduced reforms into the country – Socialism with a human face • Including freedom of speech and press; freedom to travel aboard. • Promised a gradual movement toward democracy • Soviets invaded, crushed the reforms and replaced Dubcek. III. Prague Spring - Czechoslovakia – 1968
- 15. President Nixon helpslessen Cold War tensions - First President to visit Soviet Union and Communist China - Nixon and Brezhnev have a series of meetings called the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) Détente, Tension and Economic Strain
- 16. 1. June 1979– President Carter and Brezhnev sign the SALT II agreement 2. The Soviets invaded _____________________ that year – the U.S. refused to ratify SALT II and boycotted the 1980 Olympics in Moscow. Afghanistan Due to the oil crisis of 1973, the U.S. and U.K. suffered a series of recessions and low economic growth.
- 17. Communist Economy A. CommandEconomy – Means of production are controlled by the __________________ Very inefficient system, focus on heavy industry NOT _________________________ B. Successful in producing weapons and space technology C. Failure of collectivized agriculture led to shortages, poverty, and corruption D. Soviet products were inferior, Workers more concerned about quantity (quotas) than qu Workers had little incentive to work hard. (No raises, promotions, rewards) . Command Economy – Means of production are controlled by the __________________ Very inefficient system, focus on heavy industry NOT __________________________ . Successful in producing weapons and space technology . Failure of collectivized agriculture led to shortages, poverty, and corruption . Soviet products were inferior, Workers more concerned about quantity (quotas) than qu Workers had little incentive to work hard. (No raises, promotions, rewards) government consumer goods Led to economic stagnation: A lack of economic growth starting in 1970s.
- 18. The Gorbachev Years(1985-1991) After the death of Brezhnev in 1982, followed by the deaths of the next two General Secretaries, Mikhail Gorbachev would become the leader of the Soviet Union in 1985. First goal – Strengthen Economy:
- 19. •Began rapid technologicalmodernization •Tried to make Soviet Bureaucracy more efficient and responsive •Created incentives to increase worker productivity The Gorbachev Revolution
- 20. 1.________________ (Openness) – Gorbachev gave freedomof expression and information, freedom of the press, right to criticize the government Glasnost Major Reforms
- 21. 2. _________________ (Restructuring)– Reforms to democratize Soviet political system by allowing multi-candidate elections, secret ballots, and limited free market capitalism, more supply and demand, consumer goods. 3. Arms Talks – agreed with United States to destroy all intermediate range Nuclear Missiles – Major thaw in Cold War tension 4. Withdrew Soviet troops from ________________ after 9 years of war and occupation. Perestroika Afghanistan
- 22. Freedom of EasternEurope: The Crumbling of the Soviet Bloc What impact will Gorbachev’s reforms have on the Eastern European nations? Why? What impact will Gorbachev’s reforms have on the Eastern European nations? Why?
- 23. 2. __________________ -1989 allowed free elections – gov’t renounces communist partyHungary 1. Poland – Government allows more freedom and free elections: 1989 – Trade Union ________________ under Lech Walesa wins majority.Solidarity
- 24. President Ronald Reagan “GeneralSecretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, if you seek liberalization, come here to this gate. Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate. Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall.” - June 12, 1987 “General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, if you seek liberalization, come here to this gate. Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate. Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall.” - June 12, 1987 Film ClipFilm Clip
- 25. Group #1: LeipzigPeaceful Revolution –October 9, 1989Group #1: Leipzig Peaceful Revolution –October 9, 1989
- 26. Over 70,000 peoplepeacefully marched in Leipzig to protest the oppressive East German government. Over 70,000 people peacefully marched in Leipzig to protest the oppressive East German government.
- 27. Mr. Sill andIrmtraud Hollitzer in Leipzig, Germany – July 2016Mr. Sill and Irmtraud Hollitzer in Leipzig, Germany – July 2016 “In the end everything stayed peaceful; it didn’t come to an intervention of police or military…because the chief of police saw that there were simply too many coming, many more people than expected.” - Irmtraud Hollitzer “In the end everything stayed peaceful; it didn’t come to an intervention of police or military…because the chief of police saw that there were simply too many coming, many more people than expected.” - Irmtraud Hollitzer
- 28. Group #2: Fallof the Berlin Wall – November 9, 1989Group #2: Fall of the Berlin Wall – November 9, 1989 Yes, he said, the government had adopted a new regulation permitting East Germans to leave the country at border crossing points. No, he didn't know if passports would be required. But the change, he said, would take effect "immediately. Without delay." Yes, he said, the government had adopted a new regulation permitting East Germans to leave the country at border crossing points. No, he didn't know if passports would be required. But the change, he said, would take effect "immediately. Without delay." East German spokesman Guenter Schabowski in 1989. His stunning and erroneous statement about a new East German travel law hastened the collapse of the Berlin Wall. East German spokesman Guenter Schabowski in 1989. His stunning and erroneous statement about a new East German travel law hastened the collapse of the Berlin Wall.
- 29. 3. East Germany– 1989 – East German Communist Politburo resigns. Travel restrictions are lifted and _________________________________. Free Elections lead to unification of Germany in 1990 Berlin Wall comes down!
- 32. Group #3: Two-Plus-FourTreaty– October 3, 1990Group #3: Two-Plus-Four Treaty– October 3, 1990 Two German nations plus Four world powers agreed on a plan to reunify Germany in a peaceful and humane manner. Two German nations plus Four world powers agreed on a plan to reunify Germany in a peaceful and humane manner.
- 33. Helmet Kohl –West German Chancellor and architect of German reunification Helmet Kohl – West German Chancellor and architect of German reunification
- 35. Write a thesisstatement that analyzes the events that led to German reunification. Write a thesis statement that analyzes the events that led to German reunification.
- 36. ”It is asif many have again ignored the fact that an attack on the freedom of individuals threatens the freedom of all.” - Vaclav Havel
- 37. 4. Czechoslovakia –Politburos resign and free elections lead to collapse of Communism. _______________________________ - Peaceful democratic takeover led by Vaclav Havel who becomes new president. 5. Bulgaria – Free Elections lead to Communist leader, Todor Zhivkov, to be ousted Velvet Revolution
- 38. 6. Romania –Violent revolution over Totalitarian dictator Nicolae Ceausescu Protests gained support of the army and secret police who sided with the people. After a quick trial, Ceausescu was tried and executed on Christmas Day, 1989. How did Gorbachev’s new reforms affect the Eastern European nations? How did Gorbachev’s new reforms affect the Eastern European nations?
- 39. Numerous ethnic groups– languages, customs, religions. Only half of 285 million were Russian Difficult to unite into one nation without fear or force Nationalism was stronger than communism – people wanted to rule themselves NATIONALISM AND ETHNIC DIVERSITY
- 40. WORKER MORALE Lack ofmotivation to produce quality goods Workers were not given enough to buy basic goods Many workers became alcoholics – crime rate increased Mortality rate, divorce rate, inflation, corruption increased Standard of living declined Workers were now allowed to criticize the government FOOD SHORTAGES Economic reforms were not enough – 1990 rationing Food was scarce and prices were too high Long lines for simple goods Riots broke out Mass poverty existed Began import of grain from US and Canada
- 41. Glasnost Glasnost means Openness. •It allowed free flow of ideas, no censorship • Religious freedom • Public criticism of gov’t • Contested elections (secret ballots) • Release of political prisoners • Books freely printed “Socialism with a Human Face”
- 42. PERESTROIKA Allowed the following: •Some private property • Some small business – profits • Some Free trade • Local managers more control and authority over farms and factories Film Decentralization of economic control
- 43.
- 44. •Arms Race wastoo costly •Conflicts were costly (Afghanistan 1979) •Total employment – no goods •National healthcare – poor coverage •Pressure from Pope John Paul II and Ronald Reagan “Evil Empire” – Star Wars plan COST OF THE WAR GLOBAL PRESSURE
- 45. ATTEMPTED COUP - Highlevel officials (communist hard-liners) wanted Gorbachev to resign in 1991 - He refused – the group staged a coup in Moscow by placing Gorbachev under house arrest and sent tanks into Moscow to seize control. - Boris Yeltsin called to the people to resist the coup and gained the support of the military - The Coup was foiled and the USSR soon split into 15 republics – the CIS Attempted Coup
- 46. How did Gorbachev’spolicies eventually lead to the downfall of his own leadership and the Soviet Union
- 47. End of the Soviet Union Gorbachevwas forced to resign. He was the leader of a country that no longer existed. After 74 years, the Soviet Union had collapsed. The Cold War was over. Gorbachev was forced to resign. He was the leader of a country that no longer existed. After 74 years, the Soviet Union had collapsed. The Cold War was over.
- 48. End of theSoviet Union
- 49. Commonwealth of IndependentStates (CIS)
- 50.
- 51.
Editor's Notes
- #13 August 14 – Rudi Arnstadt was killed at Point Alpha August 15, Conrad Schumann fled to the West Augusst 17, Peter Fechter killed at Berlin Wall
- #26 “The peaceful protests began at Leipzig's 800-year-old Nicolaikirche, where East German dissidents had been gathering for almost a decade to pray and talk politics. At times there were fewer than a dozen people in the church, but all through the 1980s the meetings happened every Monday without fail. Eventually, they attracted people eager to discuss a wide range of causes, from the environment to the right to travel freely.” (Spiegel Online, 2011) “Former Nikolaikirche pastor Christian Führer in 2009: Pastors Christian Führer and Christoph Wonneberger had never seen so many people in the church. It was October 9, 1989, and the two young pastors knew they were on the verge of something huge. ‘There were 8,000 people inside – more couldn't fit,’ Führer said.” (Spiegel Online, 2011)
- #27 Over the course of the 1989 fall – now known as the Leipziger Herbst (or “Leipzig Fall”) – citizens from all walks of life took to the streets every Monday evening demanding freedom and democracy.
- #42 Its goals included combating corruption and the abuse of privilege by the political classes The main aim of this policy was to make the country's management transparent and open to debate Through reviewing the past or current mistakes being made, it was hoped that the Soviet people would back reforms such as perestroika.