Conflict and Change in Europe to the 21st century
United States vs. Soviet Union
Emerged as 2 “superpowers” – had the military and
political strength to influence worldwide events.
Distrust started between the USA and USSR
USA didn’t like the USSR expanding its borders
Both had different beliefs and political systems
Both stockpiled weapons in case of war – nuclear arms race
Distrust grew into a state of tension called the Cold War –
because it never involved any fighting.
Involved competition in science – Space Race
Race to launch satellites and land on the moon
Sputnik
Developed growing alliances
Iron Curtain
A political boundary
Fun Fact . . .
Iron Curtain was a term used in the German theater to separate the
stage from the audience in case of a fire!
People in countries controlled by the Soviet Union
COULD NOT LEAVE!
Armed guards watched over the borders.
Winston Churchill (British PM) said in 1946 that
an “Iron Curtain” had fallen across Europe.
Dividing line between Eastern and Western Europe.
Berlin Wall became the symbol of the “Iron
Curtain”
The Berlin Wall
At the end of WWII, Germany was divided into 4 zones
Berlin was the capital of Germany (located in the
Soviet section) and was divided into 4 zones as well
West Berlin = sections controlled by USA, France
and Great Britain – surrounded by East Germany
East Berlin = represented the Soviet controlled
sector of the city
Many people wanted to flee (defect) from Communist
East Germany
Border between East and West Germany was closed
Many defectors went through the open border
between East and West Berlin
Berlin Wall was the response to stop
defectors
1st Berlin Wall was built out of
cinder blocks and barb wire
around the 3 western sectors of
the city
Soon replaced by a concrete wall
that isolated West Berlin
Many people were killed when
they tried to cross the border
President Reagan visited
Germany in 1987 – speech at
Brandenburg Gate
After WWII, many East Germans moved to West Germany for
better jobs and living conditions. To stop this outflow of people,
East Germany built a wall.
The Berlin Wall was first constructed in the dark, early morning
hours of August 13, 1961. The people of Berlin woke up to find
a barbed wire fence (later made of concrete) separating the
city!!! Armed guards patrolled the wall. Families and friends
were separated.
Write about how you would feel if you lived in East
Berlin and could not leave. (minimum of 4-6 sentences)
Soviet Union experienced economic issues –
1980’s
Large Expenses
Weapons buildup
Space race
Supporting countries in Eastern Europe
Poor economy – can’t compete in world
economy
Government planning left many communist
countries with barely enough food and goods to
meet their citizens’ needs.
1985 - Mikhail Gorbachev became
Soviet leader
Popular with people
He wanted and talked about social change
and economic reforms
“perestroika” = restructuring
“glasnost” = openness
What were these changes?
Limited amount of alcohol Soviets drank
by increasing the prices and the sales
Alcoholism was a big problem at that
time
Decreased military spending to ease
international tensions.
Economies in Eastern Europe didn’t improve . . .
Protests grew among the people
1989 – Gorbachev said the Soviet government would
no longer help suppress the protestors
Poland and Czechoslovakia began to break away
from Soviet rule
Reunification of Germany in 1990 was a prime example
Berlin Wall remained until 1989
Demonstrations prompted the government to remove
border crossing restrictions
East Germans were so overjoyed, they began to tear the
wall down.
Removal of the wall signified that European countries could
work together towards democracy
Part of the wall remains today as a memorial
Benefits of German reunification
Today, the German people can travel freely throughout
Germany
Reunites generations of families divided by the wall
Combined the economic and political power of East and
West Germany
1990
Economic conditions are
still poor in USSR
Gorbachev is losing
popularity with the people
Regional governments no
longer feel the need to
comply with the
communist party and
refuse to pay taxes
Lithuania declares their
independence from the
USSR
1st McDonald’s opens in
Russia
1991
Economic and social collapse
Communist party and
democratic ideals conflict
peaks
Gorbachev wants to give the
republics their freedoms
December 8 – Ukraine,
Belarus and Russia agreed to
break away from the USSR
and form the Commonwealth
of Independent States
Late December – Gorbachev
resigned as President of USSR
= Communism collapsed
Unable to compete with the
economic and political
appeal of the West
Soviet Union came to an end . . . .
Divided into 15 individual republics . . .
The Soviet command economy was a strong,
growing economy.
Gorbachev increased military spending and
continued Cold War policies.
The city of Berlin was divided after WWII.
Germany has never been reunited into one
country.
The Soviet Union split into 15 republics.