The Winds of Change in Eastern Europe: Transformative Events of the Late 20th Century

1. Modern Russia and Eastern Europe

2. Boris Yeltsin • Wanted to reform the economy using “shock therapy” but inflation rose drastically

3. Chechnya • 1991 declared independence but Yeltsin refused

4. Poland • 1989 Poles voted out Communists and brought in national hero and Solidarity candidate Lech Walesa • The country attempted to revive itself economically but like Russia struggled with inflation

5. Hungary • Inspired by Poland called for change • Encouraged private enterprises to stimulate economy • 1989 Communists dissolved government

6. Germany Reunifies • East Germans were not permitted to leave for the West • By 1989 huge demonstrations broke out in East Germany • President Reagan demanded Gorbachev to tear down the wall • Berlin Wall was opened and people poured through • Communism fell in East Germany and allowed for reunification- 1990

7. Germany Post Reunification • East Germany had to be rebuilt including its economy • Germany has one of the largest economies in the world and has been working to fight inflation and high unemployment

8. Czechoslovakia • 1989 demonstrators demanded democracy • Government attacked demonstrators • 500,000 protesters gathered • Within hours the government resigned • Due to the economy they formed two countries • Czech Republic and Slovakia in 1993

9. Romania • Demonstrations to end Communism met with violence • 1990 first free general elections were held • Economy has suffered due to corruption and crime • Moved away from a state controlled economy

10. Yugoslavia • Many Ethnic differences in country • Republics in Yugoslavia started to declare independence Slobodan Milosevic invaded and started a bloody war • Ethnic Cleansing to rid Bosnia of its Muslim population • Peace was brokered between the warring factions in 1996

11. What’s in common? • Push toward a market economy • Rise of Democracy across Europe