Lessons 2 · 1 lessons · Sh. Ergashev, B. Xodjayev, J. Abdullayev. World History (1991–2017): textbook for Grade 11 of secondary schools and for students of secondary specialised and vocational institutions. 1st edition. “Turon-Iqbol”, Tashkent, 2018
2
Democratic revolutions in Eastern Europe and the breakup of the socialist camp
Textbook: pp. 9–14
GoalCompare the changes in Eastern Europe in 1989–1993, German unification, and the fates of Yugoslavia and Czechoslovakia.
New words
the socialist camp, the Soviet-led bloc of states · sotsialistik lagerSolidarity, the Polish free trade union and movement · Birdamlikmulti-party system · ko‘ppartiyaviylikethnic conflict · etnik mojaro
Explanation
In 1989 the socialist governments of Eastern Europe left power peacefully in many places. In Poland the candidates of the Solidarity movement won the partly free elections of 4 June 1989, and Lech Wałęsa became president at the end of 1990. The Berlin Wall opened on 9 November 1989, and the two Germanys united on 3 October 1990. Czechoslovakia had its “Velvet Revolution”, whereas in Romania the change of power came with bloody clashes and Nicolae Ceaușescu was tried and shot in December 1989. Yugoslavia broke apart in wars from 1991, while Czechoslovakia was divided by agreement into the Czech Republic and Slovakia on 1 January 1993. Later most Eastern European states joined NATO and the European Union, but the move to a market economy also brought unemployment, inequality, corruption and emigration to the West.
Worked examples
Poland: the “Round Table” talks (February–April 1989) allowed the opposition to stand in elections. Solidarity candidates won almost all the seats open to competition, and in August–September 1989 a new government headed by Tadeusz Mazowiecki was formed.
Comparing Yugoslavia and Czechoslovakia: in Czechoslovakia the leaders of the two regions agreed to separate and the path was peaceful. In Yugoslavia the Bosnian war (1992–1995) was stopped by the Dayton Agreement, and in the Kosovo conflict NATO conducted an air campaign from March 1999.
Class activity
Draw a “1989–1993” timeline on the board and write six dates with their events and countries. Then mark in two colours which events were peaceful and which were violent.
Practice
1
When did the Berlin Wall open and when did Germany unite?
The Berlin Wall opened on 9 November 1989; Germany united on 3 October 1990.
2
Name four Eastern European states that joined the European Union in 2004.
Which of these were republics of Yugoslavia: Slovenia, Poland, Croatia, Romania?
Slovenia and Croatia; Poland and Romania were separate, independent states.
4
Why did Czechoslovakia divide peacefully, unlike Yugoslavia? Give two factors.
First, the leaders of both sides agreed on the terms of separation. Second, there were few sharp territorial claims and conflicts between mixed populations of the Yugoslav kind.