19.2 Key events in Poland, Hungary, East Germany, and Czechoslovakia

The revolutions of 1989 marked the end of communist rule in Eastern Europe. Poland, Hungary, East Germany, and Czechoslovakia experienced rapid political changes, with peaceful protests and negotiations leading to democratic reforms and free elections.

Key events included the Polish Round Table Agreement, Hungary's border opening, East German protests, and Czechoslovakia's Velvet Revolution. These changes brought new leaders to power and symbolized the fall of the Iron Curtain, reshaping Europe's political landscape.

Political Reforms and Agreements

Polish Round Table Negotiations and Elections

• Polish Round Table Agreement brokered discussions between Solidarity and communist government in 1989
• Agreement led to legalization of Solidarity and partially free elections
• Multi-party elections held in June 1989 resulted in overwhelming victory for Solidarity candidates
• Peaceful protests known as Monday demonstrations occurred in East Germany throughout 1989
  • Began in Leipzig and spread to other cities
  • Protesters demanded democratic reforms and freedom to travel

Transition to Democracy in Eastern Bloc Countries

• Hungary transitioned to multi-party system through Round Table Talks in 1989
• Czechoslovakia's Velvet Revolution in November 1989 brought peaceful end to communist rule
  • Mass demonstrations and general strikes forced Communist Party to relinquish power
• East Germany held first free elections in March 1990 after fall of Berlin Wall

Leadership Changes

Rise of Democratic Leaders

• Lech Wałęsa emerged as key figure in Polish Solidarity movement
  • Electrician who led Gdańsk shipyard strikes in 1980
  • Became first democratically elected President of Poland in 1990
• Václav Havel transitioned from dissident playwright to political leader
  • Co-founded Charter 77 human rights manifesto
  • Elected as President of Czechoslovakia in December 1989
  • Continued as President of Czech Republic after dissolution of Czechoslovakia

Collapse of Communist Leadership

• Wojciech Jaruzelski, last communist leader of Poland, peacefully transferred power in 1990
• Erich Honecker, long-time leader of East Germany, forced to resign in October 1989
• Gustav Husák, Czechoslovak communist leader, stepped down in December 1989

Fall of the Iron Curtain

Hungarian Border Opening and Mass Exodus

• Hungary began dismantling border fence with Austria in May 1989
• Official opening of Hungarian-Austrian border on September 11, 1989
  • Allowed East Germans to flee to West Germany via Austria
  • Triggered mass exodus of East Germans through Hungary
• Czechoslovakia opened its borders to East German refugees in November 1989

Peaceful Revolutions and Symbolic Fall of Communism

• Velvet Revolution in Czechoslovakia marked peaceful transition to democracy
  • Mass demonstrations in Prague and other cities
  • Communist government resigned without violence
• Fall of Berlin Wall on November 9, 1989 symbolized end of division in Europe
  • East German government announced free travel between East and West
  • Berliners began dismantling wall with hammers and chisels
• Romania experienced more violent overthrow of communist regime in December 1989
  • Ended with execution of Nicolae Ceaușescu and his wife