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The Cold War Ends

The Cold War Ends. Day 2. Freedom in Berlin Ronald Reagan- "Tear Down This Wall". The Berlin Wall remained in place until November 9, 1989.

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The Cold War Ends

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  1. The Cold War Ends Day 2

  2. Freedom in BerlinRonald Reagan- "Tear Down This Wall" • The Berlin Wall remained in place until November 9, 1989. • Demonstrations by people prompted the government to remove border-crossing restrictions. When the announcement was made, East and West Berliners climbed the wall and celebrated. • At the end of 1989, the Berlin Wall, a symbol of communism, was destroyed. • Shortly after the Berlin Wall fell, Germany was reunited as one country (October 3, 1990).

  3. Перестройка and Гласность • Early 1980s – USSR economic situation is critical • They can’t compete with the rest of the world. • Everything seems peaceful, BUT the people are ready for a change. • 1985 – Mikhail Gorbachev starts reforms • Perestroika – “restructuring” • Glasnost – “openness” • 1987 – Gorbachev calls for the introduction of democratic ideals. For the first time, Soviets can choose from multiple candidates.

  4. 1988 – A year of radical change • The USSR allows private ownership of businesses. • President Reagan visits Gorbachev in Moscow! • Gorbachev’s reforms spark political change in Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Georgia, Czechoslovakia, and Hungary.

  5. 1989 – Poland’s Turn • Poles wanted change in their communist government in the early 1980s. • At that time, a union formed for worker rights named Solidarity, lead by Lech Walesa, organized. • Solidarity experienced many difficulties, at one point having to go underground. • Gorbachev’s rise to power in 1985 allowed Solidarity to remerge and, in 1989, hold Poland’s first free elections in decades. • In August of 1989, Tadeusz Mazowiecki became premier of Poland, ushering in democracy.

  6. Freedom in Eastern Europe • By 1991, Soviets were angry about the economic and social collapse of the USSR. • They elected Boris Yeltsin, the former head of the Communist Party, president. • Gorbachev was still the acting Soviet president and wanted to give Soviet Republics their freedom. Communists leaders were outraged and order the Soviet military to take control. • Tanks kept Gorbachev from leaving his home. Yeltsin, supported by 100,000 Russians, resisted the military’s efforts. • The coup ended 48 hours later. Yeltsin gained popularity and put Gorbachev back into power. • December 8, 1991 – Ukraine, Russia, and Belarus agreed to break up the Soviet Union and form the Commonwealth of Independent States. • In late December of 1991, Gorbachev resigned as president of the Soviet Union. Boris Yeltsin is president of the new Russia.

  7. Communism had collapsed pre-1917: Russian Empire 1917 – 1991: Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR or Soviet Union) post-1991: Russia

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