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Why was the Berlin Wall built?
To prevent people from leaving the East
What did the Western powers think about the Berlin Wall?
That it was a prison wall made to limit the freedom of the citizens of East Berlin
How did the leader of East Berlin justify building the wall?
They were protecting their side of Berlin from capitalist influence
Why did people start leaving East Berlin?
Because the conditions in the West were much better
What was the name of the only opening in the Berlin Wall?
Checkpoint Charlie
What was the name of the first independent trade union in Poland?
Solidarity
Who was the leader of the first independent trade union in Poland?
Lech Walesa
What finally happened with Poland's trade union?
It was banned; its leaders were imprisioned and martial court was introduced
Why did Poland's first independent trade union fail?
The government started seeing it as a political opponent
What were some of the things the workers were demanding in Poland?
Better working conditions, higher salaries, lower prices
Why were people in some Eastern Europe countries able to demand some change?
Stalin had been replaced by Khrushchev, who was more "flexible"
What were some of the things people were demanding in Hungary?
Freedom of speech, less censorship, removal of Russian tanks
How did the Russians react to the changes being asked in Hungary?
They agreed to most of them until they thought the country would stop being communist; then they invaded it
Who was Dubcek?
Leader in Czechoslovakia who proposed socialism with a human face
What changes were being asked in Czechslovakia?
Freedom of speech, a new political party, ability to criticise the government publicly, less Russian control
