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Remaining Soviet Troops withdraw from Afghanistan
The Soviets had been in Afghanistan since 1979, in an effort to support their communist party. The war had drained the USSR’s economy because the Soviets faced guerrilla fighters armed by the US, UK, and China who were fighting a jihad against them. This defeat humiliated the USSR. Gorbachev began removing soldiers in 1988 after the April 1988 peace accord, and the withdrawal ended on 2/15/89. Afghanistan would remain in turmoil, until the Taliban takeover 10 years later. -
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Tiananmen Square Protests
The death of Hu Yaobang, a CCP leader open to democracy began the protests. Students marched to TAM after his death in several cities, 5/13, a student hunger strike begins, thousands join. Martial law is imposed; Western media records; protesters block army; 6/4, the gov’t shuts down the protests by shooting protesters. 6/5, the lone man stops tanks; CCP actions condemned by US & others; sanctions begin; C. gov’t still hostile about TAM. 10,000 arrested, several executed, 100’s-1,000’s killed. -
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Polish Revolution
The independent trade union Solidarity forms in 1980, participates in the 6/4 elections and wins almost all the seats of the legislative positions. They were sworn as the first non-Communist gov’t leaders in E. Europe in September. Tadeusz Mazowiecki was their elected prime minister, sworn in on 8/24, with the approval of Gorbachev. The Polish independence movement was the first movement that the USSR did not violently crush, and became a catalyst for all others to cede from the USSR. -
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Hungarian Revolution
The “iron curtain” between Austria and Hungary opened. Unlike the rest of the nations, Hungary had more travel, economic, and other freedoms. In a parliament session from 10/16-10/20, the constitution was altered to ensure human and civil rights, a multi-party system, separation of powers, and direct presidential election. The first elections were held 3/25/1990; József Antall was elected the Prime Minister, and Árpád Göncz became President. -
Resignation of East Germany's Cabinet
On 11/7, East Germany’s communist cabinet all resigned. All 44 members stepped down and requested Parliament to choose a new cabinet. At this time, around 33,000 E. Germans have fled to the West through CS. Gorbachev stated that he could no longer support them. E. Germany’s ministers were formally chosen by parliament, but they were chosen by the Politburo. This ended majority of Communist rule in East Germany; this paved the way for the fall of the BW and German re-unification. -
Fall of the Berlin Wall
The fall of the BW represented the fall of a physical and cultural barrier between E. Germany and W. Germany. It was created to block people from escaping to W. Germany, and around 200 people were killed by E. Germany’s forces trying to escape. It was created in 1961, and German unification happens nearly a year later when it falls in 1990. The Berlin Wall remains, in portions, today, covered in murals, to stand as a reminder of the Cold War. -
Bulgarian Revolution
Members of Bulgaria’s communist party overthrew their long term, USSR supporting, communist dictator, Todor Zhivkov in a “palace revolution”. June 1990, they had their 1st elections and became a democratic, constitutional republic, and a constitution came afterwards. However, unlike some other countries, Bulgaria has corruption issues, and many of the people in power have communist ties. Many Bulgarians are unhappy about the revolution’s progress, but hopeful for the future. -
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Velvet Revolution
The Velvet Revolution was the non-violent revolution in Czechoslovakia. On 11/17, police stopped a peaceful student protest, leading to more peaceful protests. Pressure from this, and the collapse of other communist gov’ts lead the gov’t to relinquish the single party state. Alexander Dubček became the speaker of the federal parliament, while Václav Havel became their president in 12/29. The first elections would be held in June 1990, but the country would split into 2 countries 1/1/1993. -
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Malta Conference
This was the most important meeting between the USSR and the US since Yalta. US President George H.W. Bush met with Mikhail Gorbachev on the ship ‘Maxim Gorky’, and both came to the conclusion there would be a massive reduction in arms and troops. This declared the end of the Cold War; and the two leaders wanted peace and cooperation between the two nations. -
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Romanian Revolution
This was the most violent revolution out of all the E.E revolutions. Romania had an oppressive Stalinist nation under Nicolae Ceausescu. Rioting began in Timisoara, when minister László Tőkés was arrested. 12/22, the rioting grew, Ceausescu ordered the army and his security forces to fire on the protesters. The army sided with the protesters; he and his wife escape, but are forced to return for a trial on Christmas Day; and they are executed the same day. Elections happen 5/20/1990.
