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BELLWORK

BELLWORK. Why did the USSR go through a period of stagnation in the 1970s? List three reasons why Brezhnev was an ineffective leader. Summarize perestroika. Was it effective? Explain! Summarize glasnost. Was it effective? Explain!

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BELLWORK

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  1. BELLWORK • Why did the USSR go through a period of stagnation in the 1970s? • List three reasons why Brezhnev was an ineffective leader. • Summarize perestroika. Was it effective? Explain! • Summarize glasnost. Was it effective? Explain! • THINKER: How did Gorbachev’s policies impact the governments of Soviet Satellite States?

  2. Perestroika Description Effects Not closely controlled (like China) & they lost control Supply-demand relationship was one-sided Government control of prices and production remained Government spending increased • “Restructuring” • Implemented fundamental reforms by allowing free enterprise/free markets • These reforms included: decentralization & foreign investment

  3. Glasnost Description Effects Censorship collapsed, revealing fundamental societal problems Dissenters & political prisoners freed Long-denied problems (housing, food shortages, alcoholism, pollution, mortality rates, minority rights, and government crimes) now received increased attention Led to an explosion of popular culture – Western literature, art, religion, etc. Nationalism and independent movements in the Satellite states • “Openness” • Soviets desired democratic reforms • Transparency in government institutions & activities • Gorbachev believed this may help reduce corruption and moderate the abuse of administrative power

  4. The difference???? • Brezhnev enforced tight control of satellite states, while Gorbachev allowed them to conduct affairs on their own…… this will lead to the collapse of the Iron Curtain and several revolts in 1989.

  5. Revolutions of 1989 in Eastern Europe Challenges to soviet control

  6. Background • In June 1989, Gorbachev declared that political unrest in Hungary & Poland was “their affair” and the USSR would not intervene • In effect, he was announcing the death of the Brezhnev doctrine and proclaimed there would be no Soviet military involvement in rebellions. • 1989 – the year of revolutions! • Quick collapse of communist rule in Eastern Europe • Single party Communist-rule was swept aside in bloodless revolutions in Poland, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, East Germany & Bulgaria • There had been a long history of opposition to communism in Eastern Europe, but all revolts/disturbances were put down militarily.

  7. Causes of Discontent • Economic backwardness & low living standards (worsened in the 1980’s) • Lack of legitimacy of ruling communist parties • Repressive methods used by ruling parties • Internal political divisions • Impact of Gorbachev’s reforms • Gorbachev did not foresee the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe, he just hoped those governments would introduce reforms similar to his own in the USSR

  8. Year of Revolutions • For the rest of class today (potentially tomorrow) you are going to read about three specific examples of challenges to Soviet control. • You may work in a pair and divide-and-conquer. • We will discuss these at the end of next class!

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