Consequences across Eastern Europe - the fall of Communism By AlexHall95 Mar 11, 1985 Mikhail Gorbachev becomes new Soviet Leader Mar 11, 1985 Gorbachev drops the Brezhnev Doctrine Dec 1, 1988 Gorbachev announces major reductions in Soviet forces in Europe Sep 1, 1989 Hungary opens border with Austria. East Germans start to flee to the West via holidays in Hungary Sep 1, 1989 Poland Free elections, solidarity led government takes office Oct 1, 1989 Hungary End of Communist rule Nov 1, 1989 East German Berlin wall falls Nov 1, 1989 Czechoslovakia End of Communist rule Nov 1, 1989 BulgarianEnd of Rule by communist hardliners Dec 1, 1989 Romania Otherthrow of Ceausescu's communist regime Oct 1, 1990 Germany Reunification of East and West Germany Mar 1, 1991 Albania Free elections take place Jun 1, 1991 Yugoslavia - Croatia and Slovenia decare independence Aug 1, 1991 Belarus Declares independence from USSR
