Post 1968 World - University of Alberta · Czechoslovakia: August 20‐21 1968 ‐Warsaw Pact...
Transcript of Post 1968 World - University of Alberta · Czechoslovakia: August 20‐21 1968 ‐Warsaw Pact...
Post 1968 World
Ending the Cold War:Victory for Democracyand Capitalism?
Ending the Cold War
“Dominos Fall in Berlin”[2min Video, no commentary]
Ending the Cold War•I was 14 when I first went to Berlin and the wall was still firmly in place.
•I was staying with family friends who wanted to show me the beauty of West Berlin but I was intent on seeing "the wall".
•I remember pressing my hand against it and marvelling that it was only bricks and mortar but was symbolic of years of terror and intimidation.
•Years later I watched that wall being dismantled by East and West Berliners and wept with joy for their liberation and with utter desolation for those who had died so meaninglessly.Sharsh, UK
Ending the Cold War. . . And the Wall Comes Down: November 9, 1989
•I was living in Germany on the day the wall came down and well remember talking to my German neighbour.
•With tears streaming down his face he kept saying in English and German: "I never thought I would live to see this."
Malcolm Harrison, Canada
Ending the Cold War. . . And the Wall Comes Down: November 9, 1989
•I was in school on the day that it was announced that the borders were open, and everyone in the school was put on a bus, and taken to a nearby border crossing point. There we handed out flowers, provided by the RAF Base commander, to all people crossing from the East.
•The vast majority of people crossing were not actually going anywhere, they just wanted to cross to see if it was really true, . . . I remember one woman, crying her eyes out and hugging us all. . . When our German teacher translated, we understood why: Her son had been killed trying to escape East Germany just a year previously.Richard Price, UK
Ending the Cold War. . . And the Wall Comes Down: November 9, 1989
•I was in East Berlin and East Germany in February 1989 and later that year in Hungary. I was told repeatedly by East Germans I met, that the "Wall" would come down soon. I thought they were being a little over optimistic to say the least.
• What amazed me in November 1989, and amazes me to this day, is how everybody in the East knew what was coming and was pushing harder and harder to bring the day closer when they would be free.
•. . . the West in general . . .bdid not believe it would happen and were stunned when they woke up on 10 November 1989. . . . I cried as I realized that people I had met a few months earlier, who had lived all there lives under one tyrant or another, wouldnow be free. Rob, USA (then UK)
Ending the Cold War. . . And the Wall Comes Down: November 9, 1989
We thought it was going to change the world!Joseph, Portugal
[above quotations from ‘The Night the Wall Came Down’, Add’l Rdgs]
Ending the Cold WarWhat was this all about?
What was the significance of ‘taking down the wall’ (or initially, climbing over it and pouring through gates like the Brandenburg)?
Why would people be so moved as to cry even hearing about it, let alone being there?
Why would anyone think ‘it would change the world’?
Ending the Cold WarThe Berlin Wall and the Cold War
‐The Berlin Wall symbolized the Cold War: its destruction equally symbolized the ending of that War
‐But the story is more complicated than the dramatic footage of East Europeans pouring unrestrained, unchecked, through armed gates or celebrating on top of the Wall or toppling pieces of that wall – not to mention taking them away as ‘souvenirs’
Ending the Cold WarThe Berlin Wall and the Cold War
‐the wall was more than a symbol: it was approximately 150 kms of wall and ‘highly defended border’ – over 43 kms divided the city of Berlin itself [see interactive website http://www.berlin.de/mauer/verlauf/index/index.en.php]
‐While the wall began as a division within the city, it was expanded to surround it completely – cutting off ‘West Berlin’ from surrounding (East European, Soviet‐influenced countries) but also preventing East Berliners from visiting, working in West Berlin
Ending the Cold WarThe Berlin Wall and the Cold War
Ending the Cold WarWall escalated in June‐August 1961:
‐from ‘no question of a wall or barrier’ (June 15)
‐to ‘normal border checks’ will be put in place (August 12)
‐to ‘temporary barriers’ and the tearing up of connecting roads/paths between East and West Berlin (overnight August 12/13)
‐to first installation of barbed‐wire fencing across city (August 13)
‐to first concrete barrier: over next few days/weeks replaced barbed wire with permanent Wall
Ending the Cold WarBut Why? Post‐War World importance of Soviet ‘sphere of influence’ to new super‐power status
‐ should not be underestimated
‐Stalin not happy with four‐way division of Berlin (‘compromise’ post‐war agreement, see earlier lecture)
‐1948 had ‘blockaded’ Berlin (surrounded by East Germany): US airlift rescued city
‐1949 soviet scientists perfect/explode Atomic Bomb: creating the ‘nuclear age’
Ending the Cold War1953: Stalin died – seen as ‘hero’ of Soviet Union, mourned by many
‐But not in Eastern Europe
‐Authority based on terrorism, repression: death marked moment to resist
‐Khrushchev (successor): faced uprisings in Germany, Poland, Hungary
Ending the Cold War• Hungary 1956
“The Soviet air force has bombed part of the Hungarian capital, Budapest, and Russian troops have poured into the city in a massive dawn offensive. At least 1,000 Soviet tanks are reported to have entered Budapest and troops deployed throughout the country are battling with Hungarian forces for strategic positions. The Soviet invasion is a response to the national uprising led by Prime Minister Imre Nagy, who has promised the Hungarian people independence and political freedom.”
[from BBC report, see ‘Hungary…’, Resources]
Ending the Cold WarGermany divided into West and East
‐West Germany admitted to NATO 1955
‐ economy flourishing thanks to Marshal Plan
‐In East Germany: Berlin divided into East/West ‘spheres’by open border.
‐from early 1950s, accelerated after 1953: 1000s fled communist system (including East Germany)
Ending the Cold War
To keep their people in, the East Germans, with Soviet backing, build The Wall
[see ‘The Rise and Fall of the Wall’, 45min video, Resources]
Ending the Cold WarBecame ‘Iconic’ Symbol of Cold War:
‐US presidents (beginning with Eisenhower, ending with Regan) visited ‘West Berlin’: ‘Wall’ meant West Berlin epitomized freedom
‐Kennedy made famous “'Ich bin ein Berliner” speech on June 26, 1963
Ending the Cold War
"Today in the world of freedom the proudest boast is 'Ich bin ein Berliner (I am a Berliner)all free men, wherever they may live, are citizens of Berlin.
And therefore, as a free man, I take pride in the words 'Ich bin ein Berliner.'“
[see also Ronald Regan 1987“Tear Down Your Wall”, Add’l Rdg]
Ending the Cold WarCzechoslovakia:
‐ had moved towards liberalization in 1960s under new leader: ‘Prague Spring’ promised human rights, some form of democracy, reformed economy
‐Censorship ended 1968: level of public opposition unexpected – led to further promises of reforms
‐Worried Soviet government who remembered Hungary…
Ending the Cold WarCzechoslovakia: August 20‐21 1968
‐Warsaw Pact forces invaded
‐Surprised everyone: but no one intervened
‐‘successful’ in preventing further liberalization in Czechoslovakia but also in restricting other countries’resistance
‐Used right to ‘protect’ Communist regimes to continue interference
Czechoslovakia 1968
Czechoslovakia 1968
Czechoslovakia 1968
For more photos see “Invasion of Czechoslovakia-Photos”, Resources
Ending the Cold WarEscalation of Resistance 1970s, 1980s: Poland [textbook p 1018]
‐ Poland had remained more resistant to Communist rule than others: Catholic Church powerful
‐Suffered same economic problems as other ‘non‐western’countries by 1970s
‐1978: Polish Pope elected ‐‐ ‘political’ in that he spoke for human rights and ‘spiritual rights’ in Poland itself
Ending the Cold WarPoland:
‐1980s workers took lead in resisting ‘working class revolt’(ironic – against Communist ‘Marxist’ regime, yet this was exactly what Marx predicted)
‐‘Solidarity’ movement 1980‐81: began as trade union but later gained widespread popular support
‐Leaders arrested [see ‘Solidarity Leader Speaks from Prison’]
‐But movement grew: pressured Communist Leaders for Free Elections 1989
Ending the Cold WarPoland:
‐ Solidarity candidates won across the board
‐First ‘non‐communist’ prime‐minister in Eastern Europe in over a generation
Ending the Cold War
Iconic ‘Solidarity’ poster featuring Gary Cooper! (Above his Sheriff’s Star, he wears a “Solidarity” badge)
Ending the Cold WarCzechoslovakia:
‐Followed suit: movement elected a dissident playwright as its first non‐Communist President
[see ‘Vaclav Haval’ Textbook p. 1017)
Haval Wenceslas Square 1989
Ending the Cold WarSoviet Union: changes also occurring there
‐Within the Soviet Union major changes in post‐war society
‐While politics engaged with Eastern Europe (and crises in places like Egypt/Suez Canal, Cuba and Middle East) [previous lectures and Middle East (December 7)] – domestic political ‘climate’ changing
‐Urbanization, education, public debate…
Ending the Cold WarSoviet Union: changes also occurring there
‐Mid 1980s: new leader Mikhail Gorboachev
‐Dramatic move to ‘democratic socialism’
‐Characterized by: ‘Perestroika’, ‘Glasnost’ and liberalization of foreign policy
‐1989: withdrew from controversial Afghanistan, offered free elections for East Europeans
Ending the Cold WarSoviet Union: changes also occurring there
‐Subsequent elections across Eastern Europe overwhelmingly overthrew Communist regimes
‐Or… at least: they supported regimes that promised support for democratic elections and human rights
“Eastern Europe changed overnight”
[Textbook p 1016]
Ending the Cold WarFall of the Berlin Wall:
‐over 100,000 East Europeans tried to escape across the inner‐German border or the Berlin Wall between 1961 and 1988
‐More than 600 were shot and or died in other ways during their escape attempt
‐At least 136 people died at the Berlin Wall alone between 1961 and 1989
•
Ending the Cold WarFall of Berlin Wall:
‐East Germany decided that the flood of those who wished to move freely between the East and West needed to be addressed (note: they did NOT necessarily wish to remain in the West – only to be able to move, work, visit family etc. ‘freely’)
‐Story about ‘mis‐understood/mis‐directed’ message: bottom line was border guards stepped aside and literally let everyone pass
Ending the Cold War“it would change the world” – did it?
‐Fall of Wall was more than ‘symbolic’ – but were consequences what were imagined at the time?
‐Impact in former Soviet States?
‐Impact in former Soviet Union?
Ending the Cold WarSoviet Union: post 1985
‐Initiated ‘democratic Socialism’: Perestroika, Glasnost, reversal of foreign policy
‐the latter resulted in a rejection of Communism across Eastern Europe
Ending the Cold WarVictory of Democracy? Capitalism?
‐In fact ‘post‐communism’ not easy transition
‐Move from managed, centralized economy to ‘free‐market’ advantaged those already in positions of power (former communists)
‐West had moved significantly ahead as consequence of Marshal plan: Stalinism as economic ideology (inherited in various ways in Eastern Europe) had no role in 1980s
Ending the Cold WarVictory of Democracy? Capitalism?
‐Yugoslavia “great post‐communist tragedy” [textbook]
‐example of how authoritarian rulers (in this case Tito) were able to keep very divergent regions together
‐Ethnic violence dated back to 19th century, reiterated during WWII
‐1989: led to revival of Serbian goals, wars throughout region, leader charged under UN war crimes act
Ending the Cold WarVictory of Democracy? Capitalism?
‐Soviet Union: 1990 Soviet Communist Party defeated in local elections
‐Gorbachev proposed new constitution in face of growing opposition from Boris Yeltsin
‐Leader of Russian Parliament: May 1990 announced Russian Independence from Soviet Union
Ending the Cold WarVictory of Democracy? Capitalism?
‐1991: Yeltsin elected President of ‘Russian Federation
‐Provoked direct confrontation with Gorbachev : protecting Soviet Union
‐1991: Communist hardliner attempted coup d’etat
‐Yelstin emerged as ‘hero’ defending country – and revolution
Ending the Cold WarVictory of Democracy? Capitalism?
‐ led to Anti‐Communist Revolution in the Russian Federation
‐ Yeltsin and his allies declared Russia independent and withdrew from the Soviet Union
‐Russia was followed by all the Soviet Republics
‐December 25, 1991: Soviet Union ceased to exist
Break‐Up of Soviet Union
Post‐Soviet states in English alphabetical order:1. Armenia; 2. Azerbaijan; 3. Belarus; 4. Estonia;5. Georgia; 6. Kazakhstan; 7. Kyrgyzstan; 8. Latvia;9. Lithuania; 10. Moldova; 11. Russia; 12. Tajikistan;13. Turkmenistan; 14. Ukraine; 15. Uzbekistan
Ending the Cold WarVictory of Democracy? Capitalism?
It would be easy to answer these questions in the affirmative but . ..
‐ former Soviet Union experienced same economic problems Eastern Europe had
‐Similar exacerbation class divisions: few very wealthy positioned to benefit from liberalizing of economy
‐ eroded public services: health care in particular declined
Ending the Cold WarVictory of Democracy? Capitalism?
‐ workers, poor in general suffering
‐Yeltsin’s successor (Putin) forced to put controls on democracy to keep discontent in line: increasingly authoritarian
‐Also seen in ‘Russian Imperialism’: example Chechnya[see Textbook 1021]
Ending the Cold WarVictory of Democracy? Capitalism?
‐ discontent in/between other new states increasingly drew Russian intervention
‐ for example the Ukraine/Crimea crisis 2014 (continues)
‐Recent conflict with Turkey
‐Region rife with instability: Russia seems poised to re‐establish old Soviet influence
“War without Definition”: not ‘victory’ envisaged in 1989