APEURO: Unit 9, Cold War and Contemporary Europe - The Collapse of Communism, Solidarity, Gorbachev, Fall of the Berlin Wall, Dissolution of the USSR

Why This Matters

The collapse of communism in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union marked a significant turning point in modern history, ending the Cold War and reshaping the global political landscape. This event is crucial for understanding the AP theme of Politics and Power, as it highlights the tensions between authoritarian regimes and democratic movements, as well as the consequences of ideological and economic failures. The collapse of communism also had far-reaching implications for international relations, global security, and the rise of new world powers.

Key Events & People

• Solidarity (1980): A Polish trade union that challenged communist rule, led by Lech Walesa. Solidarity's demands for workers' rights and democratic reforms inspired similar movements across Eastern Europe.
• Mikhail Gorbachev (1985-1991): Soviet leader who introduced reforms like glasnost (openness) and perestroika (restructuring), aiming to revitalize the Soviet economy and increase transparency.
• Fall of the Berlin Wall (November 9, 1989): The physical barrier between East and West Berlin was torn down, marking the beginning of German reunification and the end of the division of Europe.
• Dissolution of the USSR (December 26, 1991): The Soviet Union was officially dissolved, ending its existence as a superpower and leading to the emergence of 15 independent countries.
• Ronald Reagan (1981-1989): US President who implemented a policy of military buildup and economic pressure on the Soviet Union, contributing to its eventual collapse.
• Nelson Mandela (1994-1999): South African anti-apartheid leader who played a key role in the country's transition to democracy, inspiring similar movements across the world.
• Vaclav Havel (1989-1992): Czech playwright and dissident who became the first president of the Czech Republic after the Velvet Revolution.
• Glasnost (1985): Gorbachev's policy of openness, which allowed for greater freedom of speech and the press in the Soviet Union.
• Perestroika (1985): Gorbachev's policy of restructuring, aimed at reforming the Soviet economy and increasing efficiency.
• Velvet Revolution (1989): A peaceful revolution in Czechoslovakia that led to the overthrow of the communist government and the establishment of a democratic regime.

Cause & Effect Chain

• Cause: Gorbachev's introduction of glasnost and perestroika in the Soviet Union.
• Effect: Increased transparency and economic reforms, which led to growing demands for democratic reforms and greater autonomy in Eastern Europe.

• Long-term consequence: The eventual collapse of communist regimes across Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union.

• Cause: The rise of nationalist and democratic movements in Eastern Europe, inspired by Solidarity and other similar organizations.

• Effect: Growing pressure on communist governments to reform or face opposition, leading to the eventual collapse of these regimes.

• Long-term consequence: The emergence of new, democratic governments in Eastern Europe and the end of the division of Europe.

• Cause: The economic stagnation and decline of the Soviet Union, exacerbated by the costs of the Afghan War and the arms race with the United States.

• Effect: Growing discontent among Soviet citizens and the eventual collapse of the Soviet economy.
• Long-term consequence: The dissolution of the Soviet Union and the emergence of 15 independent countries.

Essential Vocabulary

• *Glasnost*: A policy of openness and transparency, introduced by Gorbachev in the Soviet Union.
• Example: Gorbachev's speech in 1985, in which he announced the introduction of glasnost and perestroika.
• *Perestroika*: A policy of restructuring and economic reform, introduced by Gorbachev in the Soviet Union.
• Example: The Soviet government's decision to introduce market-oriented reforms and reduce state control over the economy.
• *Solidarity*: A Polish trade union that challenged communist rule and inspired similar movements across Eastern Europe.
• Example: Solidarity's demands for workers' rights and democratic reforms, which led to the eventual collapse of communist rule in Poland.
• *Velvet Revolution*: A peaceful revolution in Czechoslovakia that led to the overthrow of the communist government and the establishment of a democratic regime.
• Example: The Czechoslovakian government's decision to hold free elections and introduce democratic reforms, following the Velvet Revolution.
• *Gorbachev Doctrine*: A policy of reform and openness, introduced by Gorbachev in the Soviet Union.
• Example: Gorbachev's speech in 1986, in which he announced the introduction of the Gorbachev Doctrine and the Soviet Union's commitment to reform.
• *Reagan Doctrine*: A policy of military buildup and economic pressure on the Soviet Union, introduced by Ronald Reagan.
• Example: The US government's decision to increase military spending and provide economic aid to anti-communist movements in Eastern Europe.
• *Berlin Wall*: A physical barrier between East and West Berlin, erected in 1961 to separate the two parts of the city.
• Example: The Berlin Wall's fall in 1989, which marked the beginning of German reunification and the end of the division of Europe.

Common Student Mistakes

• What students often get wrong: The Berlin Wall was erected in 1961 to keep people out of East Berlin, rather than to keep people in.
• Correction: The Berlin Wall was erected in 1961 to separate East and West Berlin, and to prevent East Germans from fleeing to the West.

• Memory trick: Think of the Berlin Wall as a physical barrier that divided a city, rather than a border between two countries.

• What students often get wrong: The Soviet Union collapsed due to internal strife and economic decline, rather than external pressure from the United States.

• Correction: While internal strife and economic decline contributed to the Soviet Union's collapse, external pressure from the United States, particularly through the Reagan Doctrine, also played a significant role.

• Memory trick: Think of the Soviet Union's collapse as a result of a combination of internal and external factors, rather than just one or the other.

• What students often get wrong: The Velvet Revolution was a violent uprising, rather than a peaceful revolution.

• Correction: The Velvet Revolution was a peaceful revolution that led to the overthrow of the communist government in Czechoslovakia.
• Memory trick: Think of the Velvet Revolution as a peaceful movement that used non-violent means to achieve its goals.

DBQ / LEQ Connections

• Possible essay prompt: Analyze the role of Solidarity in the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe. Be sure to include specific examples from the period, such as the Polish government's response to Solidarity's demands and the impact of Solidarity on other Eastern European countries.
• Possible evidence: Solidarity's demands for workers' rights and democratic reforms, the Polish government's decision to ban Solidarity, and the impact of Solidarity on other Eastern European countries.
• Possible LEQ question: How did the introduction of glasnost and perestroika by Gorbachev contribute to the collapse of communism in the Soviet Union? Be sure to include specific examples from the period, such as the Soviet government's decision to introduce market-oriented reforms and the impact of glasnost on Soviet society.
• Possible evidence: Gorbachev's speech in 1985, in which he announced the introduction of glasnost and perestroika, the Soviet government's decision to introduce market-oriented reforms, and the impact of glasnost on Soviet society.

Quick Self?Check

1. What was the name of the Polish trade union that challenged communist rule and inspired similar movements across Eastern Europe?
2. Answer: Solidarity

3. Explanation: Solidarity was a Polish trade union that demanded workers' rights and democratic reforms, inspiring similar movements across Eastern Europe.

4. What was the name of the Soviet leader who introduced reforms like glasnost and perestroika?

5. Answer: Mikhail Gorbachev

6. Explanation: Gorbachev introduced reforms like glasnost and perestroika, aiming to revitalize the Soviet economy and increase transparency.

7. What was the name of the physical barrier between East and West Berlin that was torn down in 1989?

8. Answer: Berlin Wall
9. Explanation: The Berlin Wall was a physical barrier between East and West Berlin that was torn down in 1989, marking the beginning of German reunification and the end of the division of Europe.

Last?Minute Cram Sheet

• The Berlin Wall was erected in 1961 to separate East and West Berlin, and to prevent East Germans from fleeing to the West.
• The Soviet Union collapsed due to internal strife and economic decline, as well as external pressure from the United States.
• The Velvet Revolution was a peaceful revolution that led to the overthrow of the communist government in Czechoslovakia.
• Mikhail Gorbachev introduced reforms like glasnost and perestroika, aiming to revitalize the Soviet economy and increase transparency.
• Solidarity was a Polish trade union that demanded workers' rights and democratic reforms, inspiring similar movements across Eastern Europe.
• The Berlin Wall was torn down in 1989, marking the beginning of German reunification and the end of the division of Europe.
• The Soviet Union was officially dissolved on December 26, 1991.
• The Velvet Revolution took place in 1989.
• Mikhail Gorbachev became Soviet leader in 1985.
• Solidarity was banned in Poland in 1981.