Transitions from
Communism
Poland
1970s

In 1970, Edward Gierek came to power with promises to
raise wages, keep prices stable, and have freedom of
speech.

He was able to do so by borrowing money from the US
and West Germany to upgrade Poland’s production of
export goods.

When the 1973 oil crisis occurred, there was a recession in
the west, so there was less demand for Poland’s exports.

In 1976, the government was forced to make radical price
increases

33% for butter

70% for meat

100% for sugar
1970s (Cont.)

This caused nationwide strikes and violent demonstrations, which
caused the government to repeal the rises.

The government started arresting and dismissing more militant
workers.

As a result, the Workers’ Defence Committee, led by Jacek Kuron
and Adam Michnik, was created

It’s aims at first was to assist worker victims of 1976 repression, but
became a political resistance groups

Other groups such as the Confederation of Independent Poland, Free
Trade Unions of the Coast, and Movement for Defense of Human and
Civic Rights were created

The government was growing more and more in debt, so it had to
raise prices of food again.
1970s (Cont.)

Immediately, there were more strikes


Among the protestors was Lech Walesa
Government had to choose between even heavier
repression or an agreement, so they chose the
agreement to limit bloodshed.

Trade unions were allowed to be formed

Censorship abolished

Weekend work abolished

Minimum wage increased
1980s

After this agreement, Solidarity was formed, led by Lech
Walesa

It formed a broad anti-communist social movement

In 1981, Solidarity had 1981 had 9 million followers, ¼ of
the Polish population and 3 times as large as the Polish
communist party.

Main goals were to block government policies

September 1980, Edward Gierek was removed, and
Stanislaw Kania was put in.

He had a tough situation, because the country was at the
brink of economic collapse, but sate intervention on
prices would cause even more protests.
1980s (Cont.)

Kania was replaced by Wojciech Jaruzelski

He declared Martial Law and started cracking down on
Solidarity to prevent economic and civil collapse on
December 13, 1981

Martial Law was lifted in October 1982, though higher
control on civil liberties and political life and food
rationing stayed.

During early 1980s, Polish foreign debt totaled to $23
billion

In 1986, even more protests started with other
organizations, breaking the fear that was imposed since
the period of martial law.

In 1989, the communist party agreed to formally speak
with leaders of Solidarity.
1980s (Cont.)

This set of 94 talks with 13 working groups became known
as the “Round Table Talks”

On April 4, 1989, Solidarity was legalized and allowed to
participate in semi-free elections on June 4, 1989.

The election wanted to keep communists in power, but
opened a third of the seats in Sejm, the lower chamber of
parliament, for Solidary members

After the election, Solidarity took all available seats in
Sejm and 99 out of 100 seats in the Senate
East Germany
German Democratic Republic
1946-1950 Reconstruction
1948 – The war torn Germany is split between the US, France, UK, and USSR
•
US, France, and UK combine their territory to make the Federal Republic of Germany (West)
•
USSR forms the German Democratic Republic (East) with the Social Unity Party (SED) in
power
1948 – Berlin Blockade
1950 – Joins Council for Mutual Economic Assistance
•
Becomes a communist centrally planned economy
1950-1971 The Ulbricht
1950Years
– Walter Ulbricht was the first SED party leader
•
Had complete control of country
•
Very oppressive and powerful
1950 – The Ministry for State Security (Stasi) forms
•
Described as one of the most effective and repressive intelligence and secret police agency to
exist
1953 – Construction Uprising starts in Berlin
•
German people protest Soviet occupation and new gov.
•
Soviet troops suppress the riots
1950’s – West Germany enjoys economic boom
•
Thanks to Marshall plan and Konrad Adenauer
1950-1971 The Ulbricht
1955Years
– West Germany is granted “sovereignty”
•
But joins Warsaw Pact
1959 – 143,000 flee East Germany
1960 – 199,000 flee East Germany
1961 – Construction of the Berlin Wall
1968 – East German troops sent to Czechoslovakia’s
1970 – Treaty of Moscow
•
Allies leave Germany and Soviets leave by 1994
•
No foreign troops or nuclear weapons in ether Germany
Prague Spring Rebellion
1971-1989 The Honecker Years
1971 – Erich Honecker replaces Ulbricht
•
Introduces a more centralized state planning
•
Raises quotas on goods production
1971-1989 The Honecker
Years
1980’s
– Debts are over 40 billion Deutsche Marks
(110 billion USD) to Western Unions
1985 – Gorbachev starts glasnost (openness) and perestroika (restructuring)
•
Honecker refuses to implement reforms
"We have done our perestroika, we have nothing to restructure“ - Honecker
1988 – GDR police raid churches, catch “hostiles”
•
The start of numerous crackdowns on protestors
•
Honecker stays hard against reforms
1989 The End of Honecker
Aug Years
– Hungary removes border restrictions
•
Thousands leave GDR
Sept – Monday demonstrations in Leipzig
“Wir sind das Volk!” - "We are the people!“
-Protestors in Leipzig
Oct 7 – GDR 40th anniversary
Oct 17 – Honecker orders forceful removal of
Oct 18 – Politüro forces Honecker to resign
demonstators
1989 The Krenz Year
Oct 18 – Egon Krenz replaces Honecker
Nov – 500,000 people are demonstrating in Berlin
Nov 4 – Czechs open their borders to GDR citizens
•
50,000 leave in a matter of a few days to the west
Nov 9 – Politburo open all borders leading to mass
falling
exodus with the Berlin Wall and SED
Dec 7 – Stasi forced to stop spying on East Germans
Dec 15 – Krenz forced to resign and open elections are scheduled for March, 1990
1990 The Year of Freedom
Jan 15 – 100,000 demonstrators assault Stasi HQ
April 7 – Elections determine unification
Oct 3 – East and West Germany are unified
Czechoslovakia
During the Cold War
1948 coup d'état

After WWII Communist Party forms in country

Antithesis to Nazis

Supported by USSR

Determined to rule

Communist party gains power of police and armed forces

Czechoslovakia becomes ally of the Soviet Union
1950’s

Stalinization of the country

Purges

Fell in-line with Russian desires

Poverty

Share cropping

A founding country of the Warsaw Pact

No non-communist political participation

Late 50’s government ignores Khrushchev's anti-Stalinist measures


Formally ensures continuation of Stalinism in 1958
Late 50’s anti communist movements cease after the Russian put-down of
the Hungarian Revolution
1960’s

Stagnant economy




Slowest industrial growth in Eastern Europe
1965 New Economic Model

Supply and demand

Emphasize technology and managerial potency

None government managers involved
1965 calls for reform, begins in 1967

Mostly economic

Destalinization
Slovaks push for federalization
Prague Spring

January 1968 Alexander Dubček elected First Secretary

Time of reform


Ludvík Svoboda elected president and approves Dubček’s reforms
Attempting to bring about a democratic-socialist state within 10 years

Through democratic election

Increasing freedom of the press, freedom of speech, and freedom of
movement

Limit secret police

Split into two federations
Prague Spring cont.

Economic reform

Focus on technology

Mixed economy but more socialist

No class struggle

Senses of trust developed between government and the people through
media

Writer and Journalist unions formed

Television introduced to everyday life

Open uncensored interviews with politicians

Ideas of freedom and identity spread
Soviet Action

Brezhnev feared reform would weaken Eastern Bloc

Feared Prague Spring was like the precursor to Hungarian Revolution

Multiple meetings with Czechoslovak government to ensure commitment
to socialism

Soviet army placed in Czechoslovakia

Made the Warsaw pact sign Bratislava Declaration to swear loyalty to
Marxist-Leninism and disavow all of it’s enemies

Czechoslovak government also promise to prevent Social Democratic Party
and to control press

Soviet army withdraws but remains on borders

Soviets emplace internal undercover plots
Warsaw Pact Invasion

August 1968 the combined forces of East Germany, Poland, Hungary, and
Bulgaria invade Czechoslovakia

200,000-500,000 troops and 2,000 tanks

Due to Brezhnev Doctrine

Dubček implores his people not to resist

Still non-violent resistance in streets

Around 100 civilians killed and around 500 wounded

Lead to overthrow of Dubček

Albania leaves Warsaw Pact

Romania begins to speak out against USSR
Normalization

Gustáv Husák becomes President

Power reconsolidated through purge

Revoke reforms or modify to effectively nullify

Reinstate power of police and other authorities

Expand ties with only with socialist nations

Return to status quo

Society returned to 1950’s style government

Early 1970’s economy increase along with personal
consumption to satiate the people


Stagnate again in late 70’s
Made little change in relation to Gorbachev’s policies
Velvet Revolution

1980’s result in increased public disapproval

Starts November 16, 1989

November 17: Commemoration march by Socialist Union of Youth turns into
anti—government protest of 15,000

November 18: Academy of Preforming Arts students strike, underground
radio spread the message

19: Artistic and literary associations strike and protests start again. Civilian
leaders meet to discuss with Prime Minister. Media starts fervor.

20: Artists and university students go on permanent strikes to protest. 1st
mass demonstration of 100,000 people.

21: Prime Minister promises no violence after negotiations. 2 major
protests, Dubček leads on and the church supports another. Government
calls for order.
Velvet revolution cont.

22: General 2 hour strike and live reports of demonstration
reach airways.

23: New leadership continues the promise of non-violence

24: General Secretary resigns along with more government
and media supports long term general strike.

25: 900,000 people involved in demonstration nation wide.

27: 75% of population participate in general strike and
media spreading new ideas and reporting break past all
censors.

29: Federal Assembly deletes the communict party from
constitution. Communist Party no longer rules.

December 1: Husák swears that the Communist Party no
longer rules and later resigns.
Aftermath

Humanitarian and demonstration leader Václav Havel
elected President

Free election legitimizes government

Market economy established

Czech and Slovak ethnic conflict resurfaces


Later splitin the Velvet Divorce
Open relations
Romania
Causes

Helsinki Final Act- July 1975 (again)

Agreement on borders in Europe

Russians promised to respect free movement


of people

Family reunifications and visits

Information

Culture

Educational openness
New commitment to human rights undermines Soviet
Regime
Causes con.

Brezhnev Doctrine- 1968


Says that the USR would intervene in any Soviet-bloc
country where Communism was threatened
Gorbachev takes power in 1985

Announces that the Soviet Union will no longer enforce the
Brezhnev Doctrine

This was called the “Sinatra” doctrine; not really called
this

Was part of saving money
Transition

Dej died in 1965

In 1968 Ceausescu pulled off a political masterstroke by
memorably condemning the Soviet invasion of
Czechoslovakia
Transition

Under Ceauşescu, from 1977 to 1981, the foreign debt
increased from about $3billion to $10 billion.

In an attempt to pay it off as quickly as possible, he
exhausted the Romanian economy and set the Romanian
people into poverty
Transition

By 1989 Romania was a failed country. It had a leader
and a government, but little else. Schools closed early
in winter for a lack of heating, nobody worked as people
spent all day queuing for basic foodstuffs, and a
rampant black market saw speculators and corrupt
officials make small fortunes.

Yet even as late as November 1989, when the
Communist Party held its four-yearly congress, electing
Ceauşescu as president for another four-year term,
there was no sign that the regime was in any trouble. As
communist regimes crumbled all over Eastern Europe,
Ceauşescu held on.
Transition

On the morning of December 21, 1989, the large crowd
brought in to dutifully cheer him in the time-honoured
way in fact jeered him - on live television - during a
rally in Piaţa Revoluţiei.

During the night however the army had abandoned
Ceausescu (following the mysterious death of Vasile
Milea, the army's commander-in-chief), and the
pendulum swung decisively.

That night the poet Mircea Dinescu made the first
speech on free Romanian television, ending with the
immortal words „Dictatorul a fugit. Am învins! Am
învins!” (“The dictator has gone. We’ve won! We’ve
won!”)
Transition

By this stage Ceauşescu and his entourage had indeed
gone, fleeing in a helicopter from the top of the
building of the Communist Party's Central Committee as
the angry mob entered below. They were caught a few
hours later, and shot on Christmas Day, 1989.
Post-transition

Soon after the revolution, Ion Iliescu took control of the
last minute governing coalition (In English known as the
Nation Salvation Front)

On December 22, 1989, proclaimed restoration of
democracy and civil liberties

Also outlawed the communist Party
Hungarian People’s Republic (19491989)
Background
1956 -Hungarian Revolution of 1956; nation-wide protest
against the Hungarian People’s Republic and its Soviet
influence
-Imre Nagy takes power as prime minister
-Nagy announces withdrawal from Warsaw
Pact and desire to become neutral
-Khrushchev sends forces to crush rebellion
-Nagy arrested and executed
-Janos Kadar replaces him as head of Hungarian
Socialist Workers' Party
Changes under Kadar
Initial hostility towards his regime: interned and executed
revolutionaries
Early 1960s - New motto "He who is not against us is with us”
-introduces a relatively liberal culture
-lifts measures against free speech
-less stringent censorship
-dramatic increase in international tourism
1968 - New Economic Mechanism brings elements of the
market to Hungarian socialism
-increase productivity
-make Hungary a competitor in world market
1970 – Production, trade, and standard of living rose
Hungarian People's Republic
to the Republic of Hungary
1988 - Kadar resigns and Karoly Grosz replaces him
1988 - Opposition groups including the Hungarian Democratic Forum rise
-Civic activism
-New government adopts trade union pluralism: endorses freedom of
association, assembly, and the press; introduces electoral law
1989 - October – introduction of multiparty parliamentary elections and a direct
presidential election
1989 - May - Border with Austria is opened--the 'Iron Curtain' is breached and
thousands of East Germans escape to the West.
-Communist state in Hungary is dismantled
Parliament Speaker Mátyás Szűrös was named provisional president