former soviet premier mikhail gorbachev. when the soviet union breaks up after more than 40 years of...
TRANSCRIPT
Former Soviet premier Mikhail Gorbachev.
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.
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Unit 2
Modern Europe
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Modern Europe
Eastern Europe Under CommunismSECTION 1
Eastern Europe and Russia SECTION 2
The European UnionSECTION 3
Section 1
Eastern Europe Under CommunismThe Communist government of the Soviet Union controls the lives of its citizens.
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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
Eastern Europe Under Communism1SECTION
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Continued . . .
Soviet Control of Daily Life• Cultural celebrations, holidays outlawed; native
languages banned- churches destroyed, religious leaders killed
• Government controls newspapers, books, radio
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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
continued Soviet Culture
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1SECTION
Sports• Leaders want USSR to be better than other nations
- want to win Olympics, international competitions• Hockey teams, gymnasts are among world’s best
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
The Soviet Economy
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1SECTION
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
Attempts at Change
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1SECTION
Continued . . .
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
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
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1SECTION
continued Attempts at Change
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
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Section 2
Eastern Europe and RussiaAfter the breakup of the Soviet Union, many former Soviet republics and countries of Eastern Europe become independent.
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2SECTION
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
Eastern Europe and Russia
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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
Modern Eastern Europe
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Continued . . .
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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
continued Modern Eastern Europe
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Defense• Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic join NATO in 1999
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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
War in the Balkan Peninsula
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Continued . . .
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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 War in the Balkan Peninsula
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Continued . . .
2SECTION
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
continued War in the Balkan Peninsula
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2SECTION
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
Modern Russia
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Continued . . .
2SECTION
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 Modern Russia
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Continued . . .
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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
continued Modern Russia
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Continued . . .
Resources and Industry• One of world’s largest oil producers• Also has largest forests for lumber, paper, wood
products• Steel, fishing industries are important
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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
continued Modern Russia
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Section 3
The European UnionEuropeans want to maintain a high quality of life for all citizens while preserving their unique cultures.
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3SECTION
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
The European Union
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Chart
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
3SECTION
A Common European Currency• In past, each nation had own currency—system
of money• More nations use euro—common EU currency—
to simplify trade
EU Economies
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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 . . .
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3SECTION
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 EU Economies
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Continued . . .
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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
continued EU Economies
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3SECTION
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
Cultural Diversity
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City Life• World-famous cities include London, Madrid,
Paris, Amsterdam, Rome- centuries-old centers for the arts, business, learning
Continued . . .
3SECTION
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
continued Cultural Diversity
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