Unit 2 Modern Europe When the Soviet Union breaks up after more than 40 years of controlling Eastern Europe, it brings both East and West new challenges and opportunities. Former Soviet premier Mikhail Gorbachev.
Modern Europe SECTION 1 SECTION 2 SECTION 3 Eastern Europe Under Communism Eastern Europe and Russia The European Union
Section 1 Eastern Europe Under Communism The Communist government of the Soviet Union controls the lives of its citizens.
1 Eastern Europe Under Communism Soviet Culture Creating a National Identity To keep unity, ethnic groups taught to see themselves as Soviets Propaganda material designed to spread certain beliefs - posters, statues, songs, films praise USSR, leaders, communism Soviet Control of Daily Life Cultural celebrations, holidays outlawed; native languages banned - churches destroyed, religious leaders killed Government controls newspapers, books, radio Continued...
1 continued Soviet Culture Literature and the Arts Works of many writers, poets, artists are banned, censored Artists forced to join government-run unions, told what to create - artists who disobey are punished, imprisoned, or killed Sports Leaders want USSR to be better than other nations - want to win Olympics, international competitions Hockey teams, gymnasts are among world s best
1 The Soviet Economy Government Control Leaders run economy, do not share wealth with citizens, as promised USSR communism does not have private property rights - no rights of individuals to own land, industry - government owns all big industries railroads, factories, businesses Soviets decide what is produced, how it is produced, who gets it - East European countries often do not have enough food, clothing
1 Attempts at Change Krushchev Nikita Krushchev rules USSR in 1958, begins The Thaw - offers greater freedom for writers, citizens - it doesn t last; he s deposed removed from power in 1964 The Prague Spring In 1968, Alexander Dubcek becomes leader of Czechoslovak Communists - lessens controls, allows freedoms during Prague Spring USSR army regains control, Dubcek is replaced Continued...
1 continued Attempts at Change Détente NATO fears all-out war with USSR - can t stop Soviet control of Eastern Europe In 1970s, period of détente increased contact, lessening tensions Economic Crisis By 1980s, conditions in USSR, East Europe have not improved - money is spent on nuclear weapons, armed forces Non-Russian republics want more control, reject Soviet system
Section 2 Eastern Europe and Russia After the breakup of the Soviet Union, many former Soviet republics and countries of Eastern Europe become independent.
2 Eastern Europe and Russia The Breakup of the Soviet Union Gorbachev s Attempts at Reform In 1980s, Mikhail Gorbachev increases freedoms, but economy worsens Gorbachev doesn t force Eastern European countries to remain Communist More traditional Soviet leaders are angered - try to take over government in 1991, but coup d état fails One by one, republics declare independence, Warsaw Pact dissolves By end of 1991, USSR is no more, replaced by 15 new nations
2 Modern Eastern Europe Parliamentary Republics Former republics set up non-communist governments Eastern European countries hold democratic elections Ethnic groups try to create new states, reestablish old ones Most Eastern European countries are parliamentary republics - led by prime minister head of party with most parliamentary members In some nations, small parties unite to form coalition governments Continued...
2 continued Modern Eastern Europe New Economies Eastern European nations face inflation, unemployment Poland has reformed its economic system and achieved success Many former republics did not quickly reform economies - struggle with poverty, violence, even civil war Some republics like Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia are making progress Defense Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic join NATO in 1999
2 War in the Balkan Peninsula Under Tito After WWII, Yugoslavia is ruled by dictator Marshal Tito until 1980 - controls country s ethnic groups, including Serbs, Croats, Muslims After years of turmoil, Slobodan Milosevíc becomes president in 1989 Continued...
2 continued War in the Balkan Peninsula Milosevíc As a Serb, wants Serbs to rule Yugoslavia Bosnian Serbs fight Croats, Muslims - Serbs murder many Muslims to gain majority - ethnic cleansing killings of members of minority ethnic groups NATO attacks Bosnian Serbs, ends the war All Bosnian groups sign peace treaty in 1995 Continued...
2 continued War in the Balkan Peninsula Milosevíc In 1999, Milosevíc attacks Albanians in Kosovo region of Serbia - again uses ethnic cleansing NATO uses air war to defeat Serbs Protests force Milosevíc to step down in 2000 - arrested, tried for war crimes by UN
2 Modern Russia Russia s Progress and Problems Citizens can elect leaders, start businesses Corruption, crime have grown; economic reforms have been slow Most of new wealth goes to few, while many remain poor Russia is fighting war in Chechnya, a region seeking independence Continued...
2 continued Modern Russia Russian Culture Fall of communism allows Russians freedom of cultural expression - have freedom of religion, speech, artistic expression Once-banned great works of Russian literature now available Newspapers, history books finally telling the truth about the USSR Continued...
2 continued Modern Russia Russia s Government Democratic government president elected by people - also elect members of the Duma part of legislature Democracy still new, still working to stop corruption in the system Resources and Industry One of world s largest oil producers Also has largest forests for lumber, paper, wood products Steel, fishing industries are important Continued...
2 continued Modern Russia Economics Moving toward free-market economy Citizens own land, foreign companies are encouraged to do business Without government controls, some problems arise - companies charge high prices to make profit - wages don t rise as fast as prices, so people can t afford products Some Russians have done well financially, less educated have not
Section 3 The European Union Europeans want to maintain a high quality of life for all citizens while preserving their unique cultures.
3 The European Union Western Europe Today The European Union Many countries belong to European Union(EU) economic, political group Many former Communist countries wish to join - must first make legal, economic, environmental improvements Regional Governments Each nation also has regional governments, like states in U.S. - regional governments are getting greater power - people enjoy increased self-rule, political participation
3 EU Economies A Common European Currency In past, each nation had own currency system of money More nations use euro common EU currency to simplify trade Improved Trade To encourage trade EU did away with tariffs - tariff duty, or fee paid on imported, exported goods Lifted border controls so goods, services, people flow freely Gives poorer countries money to build businesses Continued...
3 continued EU Economies A Higher Standard of Living EU hopes trade, shared wealth bring a higher standard of living - measure of quality of life based on availability of goods, services People with a high standard of living have: - enough food, housing - good transportation, communications - access to schools, health care Continued...
3 continued EU Economies Additional Benefits EU helps Eastern European countries raise environmental standards - builds recycling centers, cleans up dumping grounds People in member nations can work in any part of EU - can vote locally wherever they live Council of Europe s Court of Human Rights protects citizens rights
3 Cultural Diversity Distinct Traditions EU member nations have own cultures: languages, foods, celebrations Some are mix of cultures, as in Belgium - northern Flemings speak Dutch; southern Walloons speak French - German-speaking Belgians live in east City Life World-famous cities include London, Madrid, Paris, Amsterdam, Rome - centuries-old centers for the arts, business, learning Continued...
3 continued Cultural Diversity Country Life Italy s Tuscany, France s Provence are popular rural vacation areas Some villages only have café, grocery, post office, town square Some families have lived on, farmed same land for generations