The End of the Cold War

Chapter 15 Section 5

Communist Nations – Cold War

Soviet Union Declines

Command Economy Stagnates

Russia lacks food

Inefficiency and waste

Needs not met

Military Commitments

Economy can’t afford military/arms race

War in Afghanistan

Similar to Vietnam for U.S.

Mikhail GorbachevProposes reform

Glasnost

Openness

Ended censorship and encouraged discussion

Perestroika

Restructuring of government and economy

Reforms lead to collapse of Soviet Union

Check for UnderstandingHow might Gorbachev’s changes have lead to the decline of a communist state?

Changes Transform Eastern Europe

Demands for freedom increase

Hungary reforms

Rewarded for loyalty and allowed to change

Poland embraces Solidarity

Independent labor union (Lech Walesa)

Demanded political and economic change

Outlawed and arrested

Changes Transform Eastern EuropeEast Germans demand change

Communist Governments Fall

Czechoslovakia Splits

Vaclav Havel leads split

Split along ethnic lines (nationalism)

Communism Declines Around

the WorldChina continues to blend capitalism with communism

Vietnam reestablishes relations with world

North Korea continues isolationism

Cuba declines

Communist Countries - 2010