The Cold War ended as communist governments failed and reformed in the 1980s-1990s. Most communist countries struggled with economic failures, poverty, and lack of freedoms by the 1980s. Mikhail Gorbachev reformed the Soviet Union with policies of perestroika and glasnost, allowing more economic freedom and criticism of government. This led to anti-communist revolutions in Eastern Europe in 1989 and the fall of the Berlin Wall. Germany was reunified under a democratic government in 1990 as the Soviet Union broke up into 15 countries in 1991, ending the Cold War.

1. The End ofThe Cold War

2. Communism FailsFailures of CommunismMost Communist countries were struggling by the 1980’sEconomic failuresExtreme povertyFood shortagesPolitical (government) failuresCorruptionHarsh treatment of peopleVery few freedoms

3. Reform in the Soviet Union (1985-1991)Mikhail Gorbachev: leader who reformed the Soviet UnionPerestroika: restructuring of Soviet economy and governmentAllowed some private ownership and profitCreated a Soviet ParliamentGlasnost: openness of government and freedom of speechAllowed people to openly criticize or disagree with the governmentSelf-determination: people of Eastern Europe could choose their own governmentsThe Soviet military would no longer be used to keep Communist governments of other nations in power

4. The Collapse of Communist GovernmentsChanges in EuropeAnti-Communist Revolutions begin in Eastern Europe (1989)The Fall of the Berlin Wall (1989)Germany is reunified under a democratic government (1990)The Breakup of the Soviet Union (1991)The Soviet Union split into 15 countries (Russia is the largest)

5. Changes in ChinaBy the 1980s, many people in China were unhappy with the ruling Communist governmentTiananmen Square Massacre (1989)Hundreds of pro-democracy demonstrators were massacred by Chinese militaryChina has relaxed its communist economic policies but it remains a totalitarian nation