Question

Why were eastern europeans able to break free of communist government and soviet domination in the late 1980s?

Answer 1

 The soviet union led by Gorbachev was no longer willing to intervene in the eastern Europe countries. Back at home strong communist generation of leaders like Tito had already passed away. the soviet masters were also embarking on  a series of reforms that were becoming more capitalists.

Answer 2

Eastern Europeans were able to break free of communist government and soviet domination in the late 1980s because the Soviet Union became internal looking.  Gorbachev  begun to embark on reforms aimed at returning the Soviet Union on a path to prosperity. He was no longer willing to intervene in the eastern Europe instead choosing to focus on internal economic reforms.