Reasons for fall of communism in Europe

Question 1

Intro

Answer 1

Many reasons, all stem from Gorbachev’s policies

Question 2

Gorbachev’s policies (2 things)

Answer 2

1) Perestroika - reform economy by investing in tech, offering worker incentives and decentralising control - made economy more capitalist. 2) Glasnost - openness - freedom of speech, books published and censorship eased. Western influences and disaster and corruption investigated. Warsaw Pact dissolved - independence for Poland, Hungary and fall of Berlin wall.

Question 3

Soviet economic weakness

Answer 3

Arms race led to state deficit doubling from 57bn to 100bn roubles. Shortage of goods and decline in living standards. Inflation rose - worse by Afghanistan and Chernobyl. Spiralling Decline - hard for USSR to keep up communism - strikes - Gorbachev elected due to liberal policies.

Question 4

Western influence and Reagan (2 things)

Answer 4

1) Due to Glasnost - failures of East aired in West showing success for capitalism - 1st McDonalds set up in Moscow. 2) Reagan’s policies and military spending resulted in political weapon, fearing USSR due to weaponry imbalance. As well as supporting those challenging communist rule such as Mujahadeen in Afghan war by supplying them missiles.