Chapter 23 - Cold War

Question 1

What barriers were there for people challenging communist control in Eastern European states?

Answer 1

Brezhnev Doctrine
Warsaw Pact
Comecon
The Stasi/Control

Question 2

What opportunities were there for people challenging communist control in Eastern Europe?

Answer 2

Helsinki Accords - Basket 3
Gorbachev from 1985
Reagan from 1981
Pope from 1979

Question 3

Why did Gorbachev abandon the Brezhnev Doctrine?

Answer 3

Growing disillusionment with Soviet intervention in Afghanistan
It was costly
Communism had to be liberalised
Armed intervention was morally wrong

Question 4

When did the border between East and West Berlin come down?

Answer 4

9th November 1989

Question 5

What did the Popes return to Poland ignite?

Answer 5

Restored Catholic faith and the need to stand up and reform communism

Question 6

Why was there a workers challenge to the communist party in Poland in 1980 and what form did it take?

Answer 6

Workers felt that people were being exploited and the people of Gdansk began to strike

Question 7

Why did the initial challenge of Solidarity prove short lived?

Answer 7

Introduction of Marshall law in December 1981

Question 8

How did Gorbachev influence events in Poland, Hungary, and east Germany?

Answer 8

Suppressed nationalism burst onto the scene
Demonstrations due to Gorbachevs relaxed view
Removed threat of Soviet tanks

Question 9

Explain the nature and results of people power in Czechoslovakia?

Answer 9

Huge crowds demonstrated in Prague every evening
Havel ended up becoming PM
In 2 weeks communism swept away
Known as Velvet revolution as was a smooth transition

Question 10

Explain the nature and results of people power in Romania?

Answer 10

Ceauausecu was the leader
Winter there was food shortages, power cuts and freezing temperatures
Brutal suppression of demonstrations with police firing on protesters
Press censorship of events in Eastern Europe
The leader of Romania executed on 25th December

Question 11

What was Soidarity?

Answer 11

A polish trade union that has amassed a support of nearly 10 million people

Question 12

How did communism collapse in Poland?

Answer 12

Food prices raised in Feb 1988 led to strikes and demands for changes in the system, but protests were peaceful

Question 13

Ended outcome of protests?

Answer 13

35 percent of seats freely elected which lead to a non-communist Mazowiecki becoming prime minister

Question 14

How did the Hungarian government contribute to the collapse of Communism?

Answer 14

1988 Kadar resigned and there was worsening economic conditions
New leader Nemeth negotiated a 1 billion Deutsch mark loan from West German banks

Question 15

How did East Germans contribute to the collapse of communism?

Answer 15

By September 1989 60,000 East Germans left for Hungary to seek asylum in west Germany
22,000 fled to Austria

Question 16

How did the East German government contribute to the collapse of communism?

Answer 16

Temporary allowed citizens to travel to West Germany if promised to return
Politburo forces Honeckers resignation

Question 17

How did Czechoslovakian people contribute to the collapse of communism?

Answer 17

Tired of seeing themselves behind the Iron Curtain
Protests over communism
‘Long live Dubcek’ and ‘long live Poland’ chants

Question 18

What was significant about Vaclav Havel?

Answer 18

Imprisoned by communists for being a dissident who spoke out against the communist regime

Question 19

Why was the Czech revolution called the Velvet revolution?

Answer 19

Because the change happened peacefully

Question 20

Who was Nemeth?

Answer 20

Economist and former PM of Hungary

Question 21

Who was Krenz?

Answer 21

Last leader of the GDR

Question 22

Who was Eric Honecker?

Answer 22

Led GDR from 1971 to 1989