Dismantling of the Eastern Bloc

• 1. June 1989 in Poland: the Solidarity trade union was legalised. It won a landslide victory in the Polish elections that took place.
• 2. September 1989 in East Germany: huge numbers of people from East Germany left for the West via Hungary. On one day alone (September 11th) over 125,000 crossed the border.
• 3. October 1989 in East Germany: the East German government announced that the border crossings between East and West would be opened. Thousands of East Berliners forced their way through cand citizens from both sides start to physically dismantle the Berlin Wall. East and West Germany are formally reunited in 1990.
• 4. May 1989 in Hungary: the government took down the fences along the border with Austria. It promised a new democratic government and free elections were held in October.
• 5. November 1989 in Czechoslovakia: the ‘Velvet Revolution’ overthrew the communist government as the anti-communist Vaclav Havel was elected president.
• 6. December 1989 in Romania: large scale public demonstrations take place against the communist government and the dictator Ceausescu is overthrow and executed.
• 7. December 1989 in Bulgaria: the communist leader Peter Mladenov resigns live on national television and free elections are held in 1990.
• 8. December 1990 in Yugoslavia: Slovenia voted to become independent in a free referendum. Croatia, Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia-Herzegovina all voted to become independent. Kosovo and Macedonia declared independence in mid 1990s. Yugoslavia no longer existed.
• 9. Communism in the satellite states was at an end. The Eastern bloc no longer existed.
• When was the Solidarity trade union legalised in Poland?

  June 1989
• What significant event occurred in Poland in June 1989?

  Solidarity won a landslide victory in elections
• What happened on September 11, 1989, in East Germany?

  Over 125,000 crossed to the West
• Why did many East Germans leave for the West in September 1989?

  They sought freedom and better opportunities
• What announcement did the East German government make in October 1989?

  Border crossings would be opened
• What action did East Berliners take after the border was announced to be opened?

  They physically dismantled the Berlin Wall
• When were East and West Germany formally reunited?

  In 1990
• What significant action did Hungary take in May 1989?

  They took down the fences with Austria
• What promise did the Hungarian government make in May 1989?

  To establish a new democratic government
• What was the Velvet Revolution in November 1989?

  It overthrew the communist government in Czechoslovakia
• Who was elected president after the Velvet Revolution?

  Vaclav Havel
• What happened in Romania in December 1989?

  Ceausescu was overthrown and executed
• What triggered the public demonstrations in Romania in December 1989?

  Opposition to the communist government
• What significant event occurred in Bulgaria in December 1989?

  Peter Mladenov resigned on national television
• What was the outcome of the resignation of Peter Mladenov in Bulgaria?

  Free elections were held in 1990
• What happened in Yugoslavia in December 1990?

  Slovenia voted for independence
• Which regions voted for independence in Yugoslavia in December 1990?

  Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia-Herzegovina
• What declaration did Kosovo and Macedonia make in the mid-1990s?

  They declared independence
• What was the overall outcome of the events in the Eastern bloc?

  Communism in satellite states ended
• What happened to the Eastern bloc after the fall of communism?

  It no longer existed
• What is the timeline of significant events in Eastern Europe from 1989 to 1990?

  Events include Solidarity's victory, border openings, and independence votes
• Who were the key figures involved in the revolutions in Eastern Europe?

  Vaclav Havel and Ceausescu
• What was the significance of the Velvet Revolution?

  It marked the end of communist rule in Czechoslovakia
• How did public demonstrations contribute to the overthrow of governments in Eastern Europe?

  They mobilized citizens against oppressive regimes
• What was the impact of the fall of communism on Eastern Europe?

  It led to the establishment of democratic governments
• What was the process of reunification of Germany?

  Opening of borders and dismantling of the Berlin Wall
• What were the implications of independence declarations in Yugoslavia?

  They led to the disintegration of Yugoslavia