Synopses & Reviews
The first basic primer to outline the major events leading up to the fall of Communism in Eastern Europe and to explain its likely consequences
In the summer of 1989, the airwaves, newspapers, and magazines were flooded with powerful images of revolution and protest in one after another of the European "Eastern bloc" countries. So abrupt and unexpected were those events that the entire world was taken by surprise. Poles celebrated the first free elections in over 50 years and Romanian freedom fighters took to the streets against dictator Nicolae Ceausescu and his secret police. What had seemed to be an unshakeable, iron-fisted totalitarian rule toppled in each of the countries, in just a few short months, and in most cases without violence. Written by an expert in modern European studies, Revolution in Eastern Europe is a fascinating introduction to the political and personal forces behind the fall of Communism in the Warsaw Pact countries.
Synopsis
Understanding the Collapse of Communism in Poland, Hungary, East Germany, Czechoslovakia, Romania, and the Soviet Union "Until 1989, the people of Eastern Europe lived under Communisms totalitarian grip. They lacked even the most basic human rights. They were not allowed to criticize the government. There was no way for them to present alternative candidates for government posts. There was no free press. They could not practice their religion. They could not travel. Then, quite unexpectedly, the Iron Curtain began to crumble.
" In this important new book for young adults, Peter Cipkowski, a historian and writer educated in Poland, explains the causes behind the 1989 revolution in Eastern Europe, examines the future of the Eastern European countries, and talks about the implications, for both the East and the West, of the crumbling of the Soviet Empire.
Synopsis
Written by an expert in European studies for young adults. Explains and analyzes the fall of communism in Eastern Europe. Scores of photographs, political cartoons and maps make this book visually appealing. Country by country, the author covers the enormous changes that occurred throughout the Fall of 1989 as well as events in the nine months that followed.
About the Author
About the author Peter Cipkowski was a graduate fellow in history at the Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland. An editor and author of nonfiction for young adults, he edited the textbook, Eastern Hemisphere, published by Macmillan, and contributed to two companion volumes, The World and Latin America and Canada. Mr. Cipkowski lives in New York City.
Table of Contents
Poland: A Pact for Democracy.
Hungary: The Quiet Revolution.
East Germany: One Fatherland.
Czechoslovakia: The Ten-Day Revolution.
Romania: December, 1989.
Soviet Union: An Empire Crumbles.
Pronunciation Guide.
For Further Reading.
Index.