Member-only story

Between the Helsinki Accords and the Fall of the Berlin Wall

Elmer Powell

·13.8k Followers· Follow

Published in Human Rights And Political Dissent In Central Europe: Between The Helsinki Accords And The Fall Of The Berlin Wall (Routledge Studies In Human Rights)

9 min read · 2 weeks before

1.6k View Claps

87 Respond

Save

Listen

The period between the signing of the Helsinki Accords in 1975 and the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 was a time of significant change in Europe. The Accords were seen as a major step forward in the détente process between the East and the West, and they raised hopes for a more peaceful and stable future. However, the euphoria of Helsinki was soon replaced by a new wave of tensions, as the Soviet Union began to crack down on dissent within its own bFree Downloads and in Eastern Europe.

Human Rights and Political Dissent in Central Europe: Between the Helsinki Accords and the Fall of the Berlin Wall (Routledge Studies in Human Rights)

by Jakub Tyszkiewicz

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1263 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	288 pages

The rise of the Solidarity movement in Poland in 1980 and the subsequent declaration of martial law in 1981 further strained relations between the two superpowers. In the early 1980s, the Reagan administration in the United States adopted a more confrontational approach towards the Soviet Union, and the Cold War entered a new and dangerous phase. The deployment of intermediate-range nuclear missiles in Europe by both sides in 1983 brought the world to the brink of nuclear war.

However, in 1985, Mikhail Gorbachev came to power in the Soviet Union, and he initiated a series of reforms that would eventually lead to the collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War. The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 was a symbolic moment that marked the end of the division of Europe and the beginning of a new era.

The Helsinki Accords

The Helsinki Accords were signed in 1975 by the leaders of 35 countries, including the United States, the Soviet Union, and all of the countries of Europe except Albania. The Accords were a major step forward in the détente process between the East and the West, and they raised hopes for a more peaceful and stable future.

The Accords included a number of provisions, including:

A commitment to respect the territorial integrity of all European states
A commitment to non-intervention in the internal affairs of other states
A commitment to promote human rights and fundamental freedoms
A commitment to increase economic and cultural cooperation between East and West

The Helsinki Accords were seen as a major breakthrough in relations between the East and the West. They raised hopes for a more peaceful and stable future, and they helped to create a climate of trust and cooperation between the two superpowers.

The Détente Process

The détente process was a period of reduced tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union that began in the early 1970s. The détente process was marked by a number of agreements, including the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT I) in 1972 and the Helsinki Accords in 1975. The détente process also saw a decrease in military spending and a reduction in the number of nuclear weapons.

The détente process was a major success for both the United States and the Soviet Union. It helped to reduce tensions between the two superpowers and it created a climate of trust and cooperation. The détente process also helped to pave the way for the end of the Cold War.

The Rise of Solidarity

The Solidarity movement was a Polish trade union that was founded in 1980. Solidarity was the first independent trade union in a Soviet bloc country, and it quickly became a symbol of resistance to the communist government. Solidarity was led by Lech Wałęsa, a shipyard worker who became a national hero.

Solidarity's rise to power was a major challenge to the communist government. The government tried to suppress Solidarity, but the movement continued to grow. In 1981, the government declared martial law in Poland, but Solidarity continued to operate underground. In 1989, Solidarity won a majority of seats in the Polish parliament, and Wałęsa became president of Poland.

Solidarity's rise to power was a major turning point in the Cold War. It showed that the people of Eastern Europe were no longer willing to tolerate communist rule. Solidarity's victory also inspired other movements for democracy in Eastern Europe, and it helped to pave the way for the fall of the Berlin Wall.

The Reagan Administration

The Reagan administration in the United States adopted a more confrontational approach towards the Soviet Union than its predecessors. Reagan believed that the Soviet Union was an "evil empire" and he sought to roll back its influence around the world. Reagan increased military spending and he deployed intermediate-range nuclear missiles in Europe. He also supported anti-communist movements in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

Reagan's policies led to a new wave of tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union. The deployment of intermediate-range nuclear missiles in Europe brought the world to the brink of nuclear war. However, Reagan also engaged in negotiations with the Soviet Union, and he eventually reached a number of agreements with Gorbachev.

The Gorbachev Era

Mikhail Gorbachev came to power in the Soviet Union in 1985. Gorbachev was a reformer who sought to modernize the Soviet Union. He introduced a number of reforms, including glasnost (openness) and perestroika (restructuring). Gorbachev also sought to improve relations with the United States.

Gorbachev's reforms led to a number of changes in the Soviet Union. Glasnost allowed for more freedom of speech and press, and perestroika led to the privatization of some industries. Gorbachev also withdrew Soviet troops from Afghanistan and he signed a number of arms control agreements with the United States.

Gorbachev's reforms eventually led to the collapse of the Soviet Union. The Soviet economy was in shambles, and the people of Eastern Europe were no longer willing to tolerate communist rule. In 1989, the Berlin Wall fell, and in 1991, the Soviet Union dissolved.

The Fall of the Berlin Wall

The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 was a symbolic moment that marked the end of the division of Europe and the beginning of a new era. The Berlin Wall had been built in 1961 to prevent East Germans from fleeing to the West. The Wall became a symbol of the Cold War and of the division of Europe.

In 1989, the East German government began to allow East Germans to travel to the West. On November 9, 1989, the Berlin Wall was opened, and thousands of East Germans poured into West Berlin. The fall of the Berlin Wall was a major turning point in the Cold War. It showed that the Soviet Union was no longer able to control its satellites in Eastern Europe. The fall of the Berlin Wall also inspired other movements for democracy in Eastern Europe, and it helped to pave the way for the end of the Cold War.

Human Rights and Political Dissent in Central Europe: Between the Helsinki Accords and the Fall of the Berlin Wall (Routledge Studies in Human Rights)

by Jakub Tyszkiewicz

4.6 out of 5