The Collapse of the Communism and The Eastern Bloc

Gorbachev's plans for the USSR had far reaching implications for the satellite countries controlled by the Soviet Union. Gorbachev believed that other communist countries were a drain on the financial resources of the USSR. Therefore, he encouraged them to begin into their own political and economic reforms. The people of the Eastern Bloc nations were quick to grasp the idea of reform. Movements that had remained underground during the years of Soviet domination now became active in local and national politics. They demanded changes to the system, and organized protests to force their leaders to move on reforms.

The changes did not come easy and Eastern Bloc countries were unclear on what direction to take. Moscow had for fifty years told them what to do, and now they were being given political and economic freedom. The leaders of these nations were not prepared for the rapidly changed political environment.

Over the span of a few short years, as the people of the former Eastern Bloc nations rose up, one communist government after another fell. Poland, Czechoslovakia, Romania, Hungary and East Germany moved towards the establishment of democratic governments and economic reforms.

The West was uncertain about the rapid changes in the East. As former communist nations became more democratic, they began seeking aid and ties with the West. Unfortunately, the economies of these Eastern European nations were in a complete mess, and the West treated them as if they were developing nations instead of industrialized partners.