1. The Fall of Communism

2. Turmoil in the USSR
The USSR had over 100 ethnic groups living within. This created problems because the different nationalities began to call for freedom. The nationalities (being Non Russian) formed the majority in the other republics of the USSR

3. Turmoil in the USSR
When Gorbachev put reforms in place, national groups in Georgia, the Ukraine and Moldova demanded self rule. Muslims in other areas of the USSR called for religious freedom. In March of 1990, Lithuania took things one step further by declaring independence from the USSR

4. Turmoil in the USSR
Gorbachev did not like Lithuania’s declaration of independence and ordered an economic blockade of the country. He feared that Lithuania’s actions might encourage other republics to secede. Gorbachev sent troops into Lithuania where hundreds were killed and wounded.

5. August Coup
There were members of the Communist Party which we call “hard liners” because they were Conservative Communists who opposed the reforms that Gorbachev put in place. They were furious that Gorbachev had given up the USSR’s role as the dominant force in Eastern Europe. They also feared losing their power and privileges and things changed in the country.

6. August Coup
On August 18, 1991, Communist hardliners had Gorbachev detained at his vacation home and demanded that he resign from power. Tanks rolled into Moscow and surrounded government offices. However, Soviet citizens were now willing to fight to defend the freedoms they were given and began to protest.

7. August Coup
Boris Yeltsin (the president of the Russian republic) became a significant figure during the August Coup and he joined with the protestors. The hardliners had ordered troops to attack the protestors, but the military refused. The military withdrew from Moscow and Gorbachev returned.

8. The August Coup
Watch this video for footage

9. Rule of Boris Yeltsin
As president of the Russian federation, Boris Yeltsin had to deal with an ailing economy, tough political opposition and an unpopular war with Chechnya.

10. Rule of Boris Yeltsin
To deal with Russia’s failing economy, Yeltsin used Shock Therapy - an abrupt shift to free market economics. As part of Shock Therapy, he lowered trade barriers, removed price controls and ended subsidies. As a result of Shock Therapy, prices soared, inflation went to about 800%, and factories either cut production or closed down

11. Rule of Boris Yeltsin
In October of 1993, Russian legislators who opposed Yelstin’s policies, shut themselves inside the Parliament building. When Yelsin ordered troops to bombard the building, many of those legislators surrendered but many were also killed. Yeltsin was accused of acting like a dictator.

12. Rule of Boris Yeltsin
Chechnya is a largely Muslim area in the Southwestern part of Russia. They had wanted their independence, but Yeltsin denied their right to secede. He sent 40,000 troops in Chechnya. They signed a cease fire agreement in 1996, but war started back up again after Yeltsin’s reelection.

13. Poland Events that led to the fall of communist regime”
a failing economy
it was under military rule
Notable People/groups
Lech Walesa
Solidarity
Alexander Kwasniewski

14. Poland Changes made under the new government: Shock Therapy
Free market economy
joined NATO
Allies with the United States

15. Poland
Watch this video:

16. Hungary Events that led to the fall of communist regime:
Inspired by Poland
Radicals took over
Communist Party dissolved
Notable People/Groups
Socialist Democratic Party

17. Hungary Changes made under government:
Encouraged private business and stock market
multi party free elections
joined NATO

18. East Germany Events that led to fall of communist regime:
Closed its borders and riots broke out
Berlin Wall came down
United with West Germany 10/3/90
Notable People/Groups
Egon Krenz (East Germany)
Helmut Kohl (West Germany

19. East Germany Changes made under government:
½ of the country was underdeveloped (former East German side)
raised taxes to fund improvements
increasingly growing economy

20. East Germany
The Fall of the Berlin Wall

21. Czechoslovakia Events that led to fall of communist regime:
inspired by East German freedom
protests began to occur
government used violence against protestors
Czech leader, Milos Jakes, resists change
Notable People/Groups
Vaclav Havel

22. Czechoslovakia Changes made under government:
began using Shock Therapy
split into 2 countries on 1/1/93
Czech Republic joined both NATO and the European Union
Slovakia experiences growth

23. Czechoslovakia
The Velvet Revolution

24. Romania Events that led to fall of communist regime:
Timisoara Massacre ignited an uprising
army joined with the people
executed the old leaders (Ceaucescu)
Notable People/Groups
Ion Iliescu

25. Romania Changes made under government: Crime and corruption
slow progress toward capitalism

26. Fall of Communism in Eastern Europe

27. Yugoslavia Events that led to fall of communist regime: Tito dies
Ethnic resentment boiled over
Milosevic took over
Slovenia and Croatia declared indepdence

28. Yugoslavia Notable People/Groups
Slobadan Milosevik uses violence and ethnic cleansing on Muslims in Bosnia

29. Yugoslavia

30. Yugoslavia Changes made under government: elected 3 person presidency
1 president from each ethnic group
Kosovo declared independence
struggle toward democracy and free market economy