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Struggle for Democracy in Eastern Europe

Struggle for Democracy in Eastern Europe. How does Communism end in Eastern Europe?. Poland. 1980: Polish shipyard workers led by Lech Walesa go on strike, demand communist govt recognize their union Solidarity Next year, Polish gov outlaws Solidarity and cracks down on dissent

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Struggle for Democracy in Eastern Europe

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  1. Struggle for Democracy inEastern Europe How does Communism end in Eastern Europe?

  2. Poland • 1980: Polish shipyard workers led by Lech Walesa go on strike, demand communist govt recognize their union Solidarity • Next year, Polish gov outlaws Solidarity and cracks down on dissent • 1985: Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev announces glasnost (more openness and freedom • 1987: Polish Economy worsens, walkouts, strikes & rioting occur, Polish gov will allow elections • 1989: Communists voted out – Lech Walesa becomes President Hungary • 1989: Inspired by glasnost & Poland,Hungary’s leaders call for elections • Radicals take over Hungarian Communist Party & vote to dissolve party • 1990: First national elections held, communists no longer control govt

  3. Germany • E. German leader Erik Honecker states no reforms needed in GDR • 1989: Many E. Germans flee into Hungary (no longer communist) • Honecker closes all borders – major protests begin • Nov 89: Hoping to stop protests, E. German govt allows people to travel between East & West Berlin – thousands leave for the west • 1990: E. German communists lose power, two Germany’s reunited Romania • Communist leader Nicolae Ceausescu uses his secret police to end reform movements • Thousands protest in Timisoara, Ceausescu orders army to open fire on protestors • Major uprising occurs, Ceausescu tries to flee but is caught, tried and executed

  4. Fall of the walltake notes on the video • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MM2qq5J5A1s&feature=related • East Germans had began fleeing their country though what other country’s border? • How many people began protesting against the E. German Govt? • How does the E. German politburo respond to the protests? • What do border-crossing guards allow to happen since they are confused about the new law? • Allowing people to cross into West Germany eventually leads to what happening?

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