The collapse of Soviet control of Eastern Europe, 1985-91 Flashcards

All 8 cards in this deck

What was Gorbachev's 'new thinking' and its effect on Eastern Europe from 1985?

A new approach that sought to end confrontation with the West and cut spending, including on Soviet forces abroad; the USSR would no longer use force to keep control of Eastern Europe, and began withdrawing troops.

What did Gorbachev's rejection of the Brezhnev Doctrine in 1988 mean for Eastern Europe?

Warsaw Pact members could make changes in their own countries without expecting interference from Moscow.

Give one reform in Eastern Europe in 1989 that the USSR did not prevent.

The election of a non-communist government in Poland (Hungary also opened its border with Austria).

When and how did the Berlin Wall fall?

In November 1989, after large protests the East German government announced the opening of the Wall and thousands of Germans began attacking the Wall itself.

What happened to Germany after the fall of the Berlin Wall?

Elections in March 1990 supported reunification, and the reunited FRG and GDR became a single Germany that was a member of NATO.

When was the Warsaw Pact dissolved, and what did this mean?

1991 — it ended military cooperation between members, leaving Eastern European states entirely independent, no longer directed by Moscow.

What happened in the attempted coup in the USSR in August 1991?

Hardline communists, fearing Gorbachev's reforms would break up the USSR, held him under arrest and sent tanks into Moscow. Boris Yeltsin led mass public resistance and the coup collapsed within days, weakening Gorbachev and the Communist Party further.

When was the Soviet Union dissolved?

In December 1991. Gorbachev resigned on 25 December and the USSR formally ceased to exist the next day; its 15 republics, the largest being Russia, became independent states.