1979 1991 The Decline of Communism Failure of
- Slides: 8
1979 -1991 The Decline of Communism
Failure of Detente: Afghanistan �Dec. 1979: Soviets invaded Afghanistan Failure of containment and Detente US supported the Mujahideen (training & weapons) Afghanistan became the USSR’s “Vietnam” Unable to succeed, the Soviets withdrew in 1989
Enter: Reagan �Nov. 1979: Ronald Reagan elected President Boycott 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow (over Afghanistan) 1983: Called the Soviet Union an “Evil Empire” 1983: US invaded Grenada to undo a “communist” coup. Supported Central American regimes threatened by communist guerillas. 1983 - SDI (Star Wars) KAL 007: Soviets shot down a Korean 747
Cracks in the Iron Curtain SOLIDARITY MOVEMENT � 1980 Poland’s economy was in ruin, workers went on strike against high prices & shortages. �The USSR jailed strike leaders, but the US secretly supported the workers OLD TIMERS PARADE � 1982 Brezhnev dies, succeeded by Andropov (1. 5 years) and Chernenko (1 year) both died in office. � 1985 Mikhail Gorbachev, a young reformer takes power
GORBACHEV GLASNOST (openness) � A reform of government controls over free speech and an attempt at transparency PERISTROIKA (economic restructuring) � restructuring of the economy, a reform of broken systems and priorities. SUMMITS � 1985 - Geneva: first meeting, “get to know you” � 1986 - Reykjavik: Did not go well, but seen as the foundation for the Intermediate Range-Nuclear Forces Treaty, signed in Washington in 1987. Comments From Reagan � 1987 - In Berlin: “Mr. Gorbechev, tear down this wall!” � 1988 - When asked about Russia being an “Evil Empire”, he declares, “That was another time, another place. ”
The Bloc Crumbles � Jan 1989: Baltic states (Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia) declare aim of independence, protests since 1985. � June 1989 - Free Elections in Poland- no support of communists (1 st non-Communist gov’t in Eastern Bloc). � Oct 1989 - Hungary changes its constitution, allowing multiple parties. � Oct 1989 - In the face of rising opposition in East Germany, Erich Honecker is forced out. � Open uprisings spread throughout the Eastern bloc. � Nov-Dec 1989 - Velvet Revolution in Czechoslovakia (peaceful strikes) � Dec 1989 - Romanian Revolution (much more bloody than Czech. ) June 1989 - Tiananmen Square: An exciting sign of change in another Communist regime, but when it was brutally put down, it cast a shadow on the fate of changes in Eastern Europe.
The Wall Falls �Nov 9 - following ongoing protests, the opening of E. German borders is prematurely announced. �Gathering crowds breached the wall.
The End of An Empire 1990 -91 � 1990: Baltic States declare independence. � Oct. 3, 1990: E&W Germany unified � 1991: Warsaw Pact dissolved � Jan. 1991: Hardliners in Moscow send Soviet troops to crush Baltic protests, but after some clashes the military withdraws & Gorbachev denounces the fighting. � August Coup in Moscow- Hardliners try to isolate Gorbachev. � Boris Yeltsin leads the people to oppose the hardliners, and the coup collapses. � Dec 25 - 1991 - Gorbachev resigns, the Soviet Union is dissolved; Bush announces end of the Cold War � By Dec 31, all Soviet institutions ceased operations.