How far was Gorbachev responsible for the collapse of Soviet control over Eastern Europe
During Gorbachev’s leadership of the USSR there were many problems that contributed to the breakdown of communism in the satellite states, the most important being the combination of “people power” and the actions of the oppressive governments rather than Gorbachev himself.
To an extent it can be said that Gorbachev is responsible. He abandoned the Brezhnev doctrine, in doing this he stopped Soviet military intervention in satellite states, this meant that the governments could not rely on the USSR like they had done previously. Gorbachev’s policy of Glasnost or openness also caused problems, free speech allowed criticism and so those who were opposed to the regime could have their voices heard which increased disillusionment in the Communist Bloc. Another of Gorbachev’s polices, Perestroika, inspired reform in satellite states, especially Gorbachev’s visit to East Germany in October 1989 where his request to Honecker to reform inspires the East Germans to break down the Berlin Wall.
Another reason for the collapse of Soviet control would be Solidarity in Poland. The fact that the Polish government could not completely remove Solidarity even after imprisoning many of its members showed the other satellite states that opposition could work, the appointment of General Jaruzelski showed that the USSR was not willing to intervene. Lech Walesa’s leadership was also an example to other satellite states, he showed that people could be led by someone who believed in a cause they also believed in, the imprisonment of Walesa in 1981 only served to make Walesa a martyr, further inspiring the poles to follow him. Solidarity also had the support of the Catholic Church and the Polish Pope John Paul II which gave them a lot of strength against the USSR’s communist regime.
The act of “people power” contributed to the collapse of Soviet control, again the support of Solidarity in Poland led to huge changes, the Poles convinced Jaruzelski to allow free elections which, in electing Solidarity into power, made Poland the first satellite state to have a non-communist government. Other demonstrations of “people power” followed this in 1989, the Velvet Revolution in Czechoslovakia in November showed that the Czechoslovaks were determined to gain control over their country again. In East Germany people showed strength in numbers by holding silent marches in places like Leipzig, protesting the lack of freedom they held. The thousands of East Germans who demanded access to the West gave way to the dismantling of the Berlin Wall. Romania is one of the best examples of “people power” in December 1989 the people overthrew Ceaucescu, proving that satellite states could remove a leader that refused to reform.
The actions of the satellite states’ governments were a reason for the collapse of Soviet control, again in Romania Ceaucescu was an extremely oppressive leader who was responsible for many years of suffering and starvation in Romania. His actions drive the people to overthrow and execute him in just a few days. Governments were also too slow to reform, inspiring the common public to take matters into their own hands. Attempts to stop forced reforms only served to help their cause, Jaruzelski tried to stop Solidarity in Poland hit actions like arresting members only served to make the opposition more powerful and the people angrier. The government in Hungary even opened its borders to the West as it could not control the people.
In conclusion, “people power” and the actions of the satellite state governments were responsible for the collapse of Soviet control in Eastern Europe. The governments could not control the desires and requests of the people, who wanted freedom and so the Communist Bloc and Soviet control collapsed as countries quickly took back their freedom.
