BELLWORK1. Why did the USSR go through a period of

stagnation in the 1970s? 2. List three reasons why Brezhnev was an ineffective

leader.3. Summarize perestroika. Was it effective? Explain!4. Summarize glasnost. Was it effective? Explain!5. THINKER: How did Gorbachev’s policies impact the

governments of Soviet Satellite States?

PerestroikaDescription• “Restructuring”• Implemented fundamental

reforms by allowing free enterprise/free markets

• These reforms included: decentralization & foreign investment

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

GlasnostDescription

• “Openness”• Soviets desired democratic

reforms• Transparency in government

institutions & activities • Gorbachev believed this may

help reduce corruption and moderate the abuse of administrative power

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

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.

CHALLENGES TO SOVIET CONTROLRevolutions of 1989 in Eastern Europe

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.

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

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!