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Revolution, Reunification, and Rebuilding

Revolution, Reunification, and Rebuilding. Chapter 31 ( 1985 to present ). Decline of Communism in eastern Europe. 1. The Soviet Union to 1985. Soviets occupy Czechoslovakia in 1968 Collective dictatorship takes power Russian nationalism develops

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Revolution, Reunification, and Rebuilding

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  1. Revolution, Reunification, and Rebuilding Chapter 31 ( 1985 to present )

  2. Decline of Communism in eastern Europe

  3. 1. The Soviet Union to 1985 • Soviets occupy Czechoslovakia in 1968 • Collective dictatorship takes power • Russian nationalism develops • Great Russians fearful of minorities who might want their own republics • Protests severely punished • Jews especially targeted • Educated public becomes more westernized

  4. 2. Polish Unrest • Communists try but fail collectivization of peasants and takeover of Catholic Church • Economic crisis hits Poland • Polish Pope gives homeland hope • Lech Walesa leads union ( Solidarity) to ask for industrial, political and economic rights • Government smashes Solidarity but Poland is changed for good

  5. 3.Gorbachev reforms Soviet Union • Gorbachev brings two major changes • Perestroika (economic restructuring) • Glasnost ( openess) • First free election since 1917 • Pulls troops out of Afghanistan • Encourages reforms in Eastern Europe

  6. The Revolutions of 1989

  7. 4.Collapse in Eastern Europe • Gorbachev’s plans for reform out of control • Solidarity, again, takes power in Poland and Gorbachev refuses to send troops to put down revolt • Hungary has free elections in 1980 • Czechoslovakia ousts communists • Romania executes dictator, Ceauseccu

  8. 5. Soviet Union disintegrates • Groups in the Soviet Union challenge Great Russian control • New political groups win elections in Russia, new constitution backed by Gorbachev • Gorbachev new president of Soviet Union • Yeltsin, leader of parliament, saves Gorbachev from a coup but pulls Russia out of Soviet Union • No more Soviet Union

  9. 6. German Unification • East Germans push for “third way” • Idea fails because East Germans flee the country • West Germany offers generous economic package to East Germany • Gorbachev approves unification • Germany re-united in 1993

  10. 7. End of Cold War • Paris Accord results in reduction in arms for 22 European countries • USA and Russia also sign nuclear arms reduction pact • Only one superpower left—USA

  11. 8. Operation Desert Storm • Iraq invades Kuwait • France, Britain and UN support USA invasion • Saddam Hussein defeated but forces do not invade Iraq

  12. Building a new Europe in the 1990s

  13. 9. Common Patterns and Problems • Eastern European countries adopt free market capitalism of USA • Digital changes usher in the global economy • Less difference between small companies and big • Workers/unions feel threatened • Protesters say new policies hurt the poor • Eastern Europe pushes to become members of European Community

  14. 10. Changing Russia • Companies sold to workers but inflation sets in • Old managers and criminals block reforms • Profits in hands of elite few capitalists • Wealth concentrates in Moscow • Life expectancy falls • Military spending declines but Russia intervenes in Chechnya and then withdraws

  15. 11. Haves and Have Nots • Poland, Czech Republic and Hungary adapt to changes and are allowed into NATO and the EEC • Slovakia, Romania and Bulgaria have problems

  16. 12. Yugoslavia Turmoil • Old Yugoslavia broken into parts after 1989 • Croatia, Slovenia and Serbia • Serbia fights war against Croatia and Slovenia • Serbia breaks apart but tries to regain parts • Bosnia ( later split between Serbs and Croats) • Kosovo ( Albanian Muslims) • United Nations sends troops in to bring peace • Serbian Leader, Milosevic tried by War Crimes Tribunal and found guilty of ethnic cleansing

  17. 13. European Union • Europe becomes one market • more fluid borders • no need for passports • easier to get jobs in foreign countries • Maastricht Treaty provides one currency-Euro • Many Europeans fear bureaucracy and loss of benefits

  18. New Challenges in the 21st Century

  19. 14. Future problems of Europe • Population decline • social welfare system in peril • Growth in immigration • competition for jobs • strain on welfare system • Human trafficking

  20. 15. Europe’s New Role • As promoter of peace and human rights in the world • As protesters of oppression in the non-Western World • As leader in the fight against terrorism

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