Chapter 35 Section 4

Changes in Central and Eastern Europe

Changes in the Soviet Union lead to changes throughout Central and Eastern Europe Do Now: What caused the downfall of the Soviet Union?

End of Cold War

• Polish leader Lech Walesa organized Solidarity (independent trade union), elected 1 st non-communist government in Eastern Europe.

• Fall of the Berlin Wall (1989), Helmut Kohl led to the reunification of Germany in 1990.

Collapse of the Soviet Union (1991)

Collapse of the Soviet Union (1991)

• Attempted coup to overthrow Gorbachev failed in 1991.

• Communist support for coup forced Gorbachev to recognized independence of several satellites.

• Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine formed Commonwealth of Independent States in December 1991.

• Soviet Union now fully broken apart, Gorbachev resigned at the end of 1991, COLD WAR FINISHED.

• Yeltsin replaced Gorbachev, said to move too fast.

• Putin took power in 1999.

Poland Reforms

Solidarity Defeats Communists The Rise of Solidarity

• Workers strike to win recognition of Solidarity- Polish labor union • Communist government banned solidarity but can not solve economic problems • Lech Walesa- leader of the union becomes national hero • In 1988, workers rebel to force recognition of Solidarity • Elections in 1989 and 1990 make Walesa president of Poland

Poland Reforms continued

Votes out Walesa

• Walesa tries to build a free market economy quickly • Though some progress made, many Poles unhappy • Walesa votes out

Poland under Kwasniewski

• Alexander Kwasniewski was elected President in 1995 • Brings Poland into NATO • Tries to build a strong market economy

Hungarian Communists Disband

• In 1990, voters elect non-Communist government in Hungary • Democracy thrives • Hungary joins NATO in 1999

Germany Reunifies

• East Germany’s leaders resists reforms as in Poland and Hungary • Thousands of East Germans try to escape through Hungary to Austria • East Germany closes its borders which sparks massive protests • In late 1989, new East German leader opens Berlin Wall • By end of year, communist government there collapses

Germany’s Challenges

• Reunification- merging of two Germanys achieved in 1990 • East Germany in poor shape, needs rebuilding • This costly effort forces German leader Helmut Kohl to raise taxes • In 1998, Kohl voted out of office • New leader-Gerhard Schroeder- has difficulty reviving economy • Angela Merkel elected chancellor in 2006; economy begins to stabilize

Democracy Spreads

Czech breaks up

in Czechoslovakia

• Economic reforms hurt

Czech Reforms

people of eastern part Slovakia • In 1989 large crowds protest in Prague, demand democracy • In 1993, Czechoslovakia splits into two separate countries • Harsh government cracks down- more protests • By 1989, Communists gone • Both economies grow – Slow in Czech Republic – Faster in Slovakia • Vaclav Havel elected President • In 2004 Slovakia elected Ivan Gasparovic president and join NATO and EU

Overthrow in Romania

A Popular Uprising

• In 1989, Romania leader has army shoot protesters • This action prompts major revolt and collapse of communist rule • Dictator Nicolae Ceausescu and wife executed Christmas Day 1989

Romanian Economy

• Corruption and crime prevalent through 1990s • Economy lags • Much of economy still owned by government, not in private hands • Government begins moving towards market economy

Breakup of Yugoslavia

• Yugoslavia has 8 ethnic groups in a federation of 6 republics • Milosevic, Serbian leader, tries to impose control over the whole country • Slovenia and Croatia fight off Serbian army, win independence • In 1992, Bosnia-Herzegovina declares independence; war breaks out • Serbs forces participate in ethnic cleansing getting rid of Bosnian Muslims • In 1995, UN, US establish peace setting up multiethnic government

Rebellion in Kosovo

• In 1998 fighting starts in Kosovo, Serb province of ethnic Albanians • Serbian army invades to put down Albanian rebel with harsh force • In 1999, NATO bombs Serbia – Forces Serbia to withdraw

Region faces challenges

• Serbia has a new leader • Milosevic faces war crime trials • Montenegro declared independent in 2006 • Serbia accepted peacefully