How Secure Was The USSR’s Control Over Eastern Europe, 1948–c.1989?
Overview
For more than forty years the USSR held a ring of satellite states across Eastern Europe. On the surface its control looked unshakeable, backed by the Red Army, the secret police and the Warsaw Pact. Yet beneath that surface ran a current of resistance: workers in East Berlin, students and freedom fighters in Hungary, reformers in Czechoslovakia, and a shipyard trade union in Poland all challenged Moscow's grip. How secure was Soviet control really?
This lesson follows that long story from 1948 to 1989: the risings in Hungary in 1956 and Czechoslovakia in 1968 and how brutally they were crushed, the building of the Berlin Wall, the rise of Solidarity in Poland, and finally the reforms of Mikhail Gorbachev that let the whole system fall apart. You will learn to judge just how firm, and how fragile, Soviet power in the region really was.
Objectives
- Why was there opposition to Soviet control in Hungary in 1956 and Czechoslovakia in 1968, and how did the USSR react to this opposition?
- How similar were events in Hungary in 1956 and in Czechoslovakia in 1968?
- Why did the East German government close off the Berlin border in 1961?
- What was the significance of Solidarity in Poland for the decline of Soviet influence in Eastern Europe?
- How far was Gorbachev personally responsible for the collapse of Soviet control over Eastern Europe?
- Soviet power in Eastern Europe: - resistance to Soviet power in Hungary (1956) and Czechoslovakia (1968) - the Berlin Wall - Solidarity in Poland - Gorbachev and the collapse of Soviet control over Eastern Europe
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Lesson Evaluation
Congratulations on completing the lesson on How Secure Was The USSR’s Control Over Eastern Europe, 1948–c.1989?. Now that youve explored the key concepts and ideas, its time to put your knowledge to the test. This section offers a variety of practice questions designed to reinforce your understanding and help you gauge your grasp of the material.
You will encounter a mix of question types, including multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, and essay questions. Each question is thoughtfully crafted to assess different aspects of your knowledge and critical thinking skills.
Use this evaluation section as an opportunity to reinforce your understanding of the topic and to identify any areas where you may need additional study. Don't be discouraged by any challenges you encounter; instead, view them as opportunities for growth and improvement.
- Who was the reforming prime minister of Hungary crushed by Soviet tanks in 1956? A. Alexander Dubcek B. Imre Nagy C. Lech Walesa D. Janos Kadar Answer: B
- The Berlin Wall was built in 1961 mainly to: A. Keep Western troops out of East Berlin B. Stop East Germans escaping to the West C. Defend against a NATO attack D. Divide Germany into four zones Answer: B
- The Brezhnev Doctrine claimed the USSR had the right to: A. Leave the Warsaw Pact B. Intervene in any communist state where socialism was threatened C. Build nuclear missiles in Cuba D. Join the Marshall Plan Answer: B
- Solidarity, founded in 1980, was an independent trade union in: A. Hungary B. East Germany C. Poland D. Czechoslovakia Answer: C
- Which Soviet leader abandoned the Brezhnev Doctrine in the 1980s? A. Stalin B. Khrushchev C. Brezhnev D. Gorbachev Answer: D
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