Significant Events in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe between 1985 and 1990
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Gorbachev introduces glasnost
Glasnost was a policy of openness that called for an increase in the transparency of the government within the USSR. This was also associated with Perestroika. -
Gorbachev introduces perestroika
Perestroika was used to improve the economy and decentralize decision making. -
Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty signed
This treaty was signed to remove all medium-range nuclear weapons from Europe. Gorbachev signed the INF treaty because he believed it would increase popularity in the west. -
Jozsef Antall elected prime minister of Hungary
Antall was the first democratically elected prime minister after communism fell. -
Berlin Wall Falls
The Berlin wall fell after it had been separating East and West Berlin for years. The people sat on it and picked it away with hammers and picks. Only parts of it are still up today. -
Vaclav Havel elected president of Czechoslovakia
Havel was the first elected president in Czechoslovakia and was against totalitarianism. -
1st general elections in Romania
The first General elections in Romania were held after their previous communist dictator was overthrown. The government then made economic reforms to introduce capitalism. -
Germany reunification takes place
East and West Germany were united into one nation again as a single German nation after years of being separated by the Berlin wall. -
Lech Walesa elected president of Poland
Walesa was a very charismatic leader who co-founded solidarity, the Soviet bloc's first independent trade union.