Political stagnation was also a cause for Perestroika. Political change was necessary for economical change and Glasnot to take place. For Gorbachev’s policies to succeed, he needed the support of reformers. Since 60 percent of the Central Committee was made up of Brezhnev’s supporters, political reform was difficult to be implemented. Nomenklatura was against change, as it would withdraw their special privileges. Party officials obstructed reforms and higher production of better quality consumer goods, ironically calling it another Five Year plans, an inefficient economic project during Stalin’s era. Also, lack of democracy during elections meant that the Communist Party was bound to stay in power. Perestroika was therefore meant to bring political change in Soviet Union, increasing democracy and thus liberalizing the party elections.
Military spending exhausted the economy and was in need of regulation. 1979 Afghanistan War during Brezhnev’s Doctrine proved was very ineffective and unwinnable. Soviet Union spent huge money on resources in favor of the war effort, which in the end was a waste of lives and resources, comparable to the US Vietnam. There were also huge spending bound to the arms race of Red Army with the US army, especially years before Détente. Size and strength of Red Army required large sums of money, especially when it was supposed to keep control of the eastern European countries. Spending on nuclear weapons also battered the budget of Soviet Union. Instead, the money could have been used for the benefit of people–– more consumer good or improved living conditions. Military spending was an enormous drain on the Soviet Economy and there needed new set of reforms through Perestroika that would make the use of finances for military more efficient.
Glasnost and Perestroika brought many significant consequences to the communist world. Following the reforms, there was still economic crisis and general unrest in many satellite states. Strikes among member countries increased. In Poland, there was solidarity movement, where people protested against food prices, worker’s conditions and the poor economic climate. Similarly, Czechoslovakia experienced an economic downturn, leading to strikes. The turning point in Czechoslovakia was the Velvet Revolution in 1989, which further encouraged people to take part in active protest against Communism. Glasnot called for more openness and freedom of speech. This is what Czechoslovaks demanded in 1986 during Prague Spring, meaning Gorbachev’s policies renewed their previous demands. Reforms adopted by Gorbachev evoked similar demands for change in Czechoslovakia. Food prices went up by 48 percent in Poland. Stagnation led to huge deficits, especially for countries that borrowed during 1977. Satellite states found themselves in a need of economical reform and more openness.
Demands for democracy intensified. This could been seen in Czechoslovakia, Poland and Germany. Solidarity wanted to link the economic problems to democratization. Property became privatized. In these three countries, democracy was most successfully established, also thanks to large dissident organizations. Changes in Soviet Union encouraged the emergence of a more democratic system in Poland. Free elections started being held. In East Germany, there was Socialist Unity Party, with Stasi a secret police that spied on people. This in turn created pressure and fear among people. Many wanted to travel to West Germany, but couldn’t. People therefore called for democracy, freedom to travel and reunification of Germany. People in East Germany were quickly envying the extents of democracy offered in West Germany. In Czechoslovakia, demands for democracy strengthened as well. Many people were outraged when a band the Plastic People of the Universe was arrested, simply for disturbance of peace. Also, elections were in favor of communist party. This led to further support of Vaclav Havel who led the democratic, anti communist movement.
There were deep divisions in the Communist Party, following the implementation of policies. In Soviet Union and satellite states, there were still strongly communist parties. In Poland, Jaruzelski became leader of the Communist party, banning solidarity and arresting its leaders. This was met with bigger retaliation in the Solidarity movement. In Czechoslovakia, 1987, Milos Jakes took over the party leadership. He disagreed with the changes introduced by Gorbachev, making the establishment of reforms in Czechoslovakia more difficult. Opposition groups like the Civic Forum and Charter 77 fought against his proposals, achieving a great step forward with the Velvet Revolution, two years after his arrival to power. In Soviet Union, Gorbachev faced opposition from hardliners in his party. Dimitri Yazov and Prime Minister Pavlov imprisoned Gorbachev in his holiday home in Crimea, while sending tanks on the Moscow streets against the protests. President Boris Yeltsion opposed and it eventually failed. Also large crowds of people went on the streets in protest against the Soviet forces, meaning many of the military forces lost incentive to fight. All this meant Communism was on the verge of collapse.
Nationalism among Republics rose. Many began demanding more independence. Gorbachev’s reforms led to calls for freedom from all countries in the Communist World. The Catholic Church was the basis of nationalistic feelings in Poland. The election of Archbishop of Cracow, as Pope John Paul further increased its nationalistic feelings. In Czechoslovakia, the Vons movement outlined the unjustly imprisonment and unjust prosecution. Calls for Germany to be reunified intensified, especially after Gorbachev visited Germany. Western media gave full cover of his policies, so especially East Germany demanded reform. There were demonstrations in Lepizig and Dresden. Fall of Berlin wall symbolized independence for Germany. In 1990 Gorbachev visited Lithania, where he was received with calls for independence, a similar response of the Muslim Soviet Republic of Azerbaijan. Soviet Union was falling apart, brick by brick; meaning its breakdown was bound to occur sooner or later.
In January 1992, there was a collapse of Soviet Union. Gorbachev’s policies didn’t go the way he intended them to. Two years following Perestroika, the economy couldn’t be modernized in accordance to people’s expectations. Nationalistic movements in satellite states strongly demanded independence form Soviet Union, to the point it started to disintegrate. In July 1990, Ukraine declared its independence, shortly followed by other countries. Commonwealth of Independent States were formed. It was obvious Communism came to its end, with official end being announced on 31 December 1991.
All in all, I was able to identify four causes for Glasnot and Perestroika with five consequences. I personally believe that the main cause was the competitiveness with the West and the fact that capitalism worked better in practice. Combined with poor conditions in Soviet Union and inefficient run, opposition from different countries was bound to bring it to collapse.
by
jmojto006 (student)
