The fall of Communism
20 years since the collapse of the Eastern Bloc
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20 years since the collapse of the Eastern Bloc
The year 1989 turned out to be the most significant year in European history since World War II. Poland, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria, Romania and East Germany became free to determine their own futures after years of Communist rule.
The twelve months that shook Europe were preceded by decades of totalitarianism and periodic struggles for independence, which prior to 1989 always ended in tragedy - the Soviet army intervention in Hungary in 1956, the Warsaw Pact army invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968 and the introduction of the martial law in Poland in 1981.(For a timeline of events leading up to the fall of Communism click here )
The 1989 collapse of the Communist Bloc stems from the Polish Round Table Talks (February-April 1989), at which the government negotiated with the then-banned trade union Solidarity for the first time in an attempt to diffuse growing social unrest. This resulted in the first partially free elections in a Communist country on 4 June and a new government headed by a non-communist prime minister and including opposition members.
The collapse of Communism in Hungary took a similar path, with the transition to democracy taking place via negotiations with reform activists. Hungary further weakened the Communist bloc by opening its border with Austria, allowing thousands of East Germans to escape to the West.
In October 1989 German Democratic Republic celebrated its 40th anniversary and just a few weeks later, on 9th November the Berlin Wall fell. As well as marking the beginning of German reunification, this event is seen as by many as the symbolic end of Communism in Europe.
Bulgarian leader Todor Zhivkov was ousted the day after the wall fell, and even though his place was taken by a Communist movement veteran, this event gave impetus to the country’s pro-democracy movement. On 17th November protests in Prague began, bringing the Czech opposition to power the following month.
The bloodiest events took place in Romania. In the second half of December the people of Timişoara and later Bucharest began to protest against the hated dictator Nicolae Ceauşescu. At first the protests were severely suppressed, but the army eventually refused to fire on civilians and turned against Ceauşescu. His execution on Christmas Day marked the end of Communism in Romania.
The events of 1989 were just a start of the changes facing the countries of Central and Eastern Europe countries in the transition away from Communism. The biggest issues were the lack of technological development and the economic crises caused by decades of a centrally planned economy. Finding themselves at the sharp end of these economic problems, the populations began to waver in their support for reform, making it possible for former Communists to take back the reins in some countries.
A great deal has changed in Europe in the 20 years since Communism collapsed. The independence of former Soviet Bloc countries was a catalyst for the development of European relations and triggered the dissolution of Soviet Union and Yugoslavia in the years that followed.
The accession of Central and Eastern Europe countries to the European Union has boosted their economic development. The societies themselves have become increasingly willing to participate in creating the European community. Yet just 20 years ago today’s European free market and civil liberties were just a dream for the countries of the Communist Bloc.
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by Cristiana B
04.12.2009
Romania