1989

1989 was a year in the twentieth century marked by rapid political transformation in Eastern Europe. Many communist states underwent changes in ideology and system of government, each in its own way, beginning with small movements. These changes are recognized as the beginning of the final phase of the Cold War (the non-military competition between the United States and the Soviet Union).

The causes of these transformations included long-running economic difficulties and new policies adopted by the Soviet Union under the leadership of Mikhail Gorbachev. Moscow reduced its commitment to military support for Eastern European governments, a pillar of the position they had maintained. Additionally, popular movements and labor organizations exerted pressure internally.

Changes in Eastern Europe

Poland held a partially free election in which the opposition achieved significant success, leading to a non-communist government. Hungary opened its border and many people from East Germany crossed there. Czechoslovakia went through a wave of demonstrations that ultimately led to the fall of the previous government. Romania was among the places where transformation occurred most violently; its leader Nicolae Ceaușescu was tried and executed in December.

The Berlin Wall

In November 1989, East Germany announced that citizens were permitted to cross the border. Large numbers of people gathered at the Wall to cross it, which had divided Berlin since 1961 until that time. The opening of the Wall is considered a symbol of the beginning of the process of German reunification, which was completed in 1990.

China and Tiananmen

From April to June 1989, students and other people held extended protests in Beijing's Tiananmen Square, calling for political change and reduction of corruption. The government declared a state of emergency and deployed military forces to the city in June, an action that resulted in deaths, though no official figure is agreed upon.

Other events

In that year Soviet forces completed their withdrawal from Afghanistan, ending a war that had lasted nearly ten years. That year also witnessed ongoing global economic and technological change, including developments in computer networking.