Question

Identify at least two factors that contributed to the decline and fall of European communism toward the end of the 20th century. Explain the role each factor played in weakening communism during this period.

Answer 1

1) Falling of the Soviet Union- The Soviet Union began to fall towards the end of the 1980's. This was thanks to the newly implemented policies of perestroika and glasnost by Mikhail Gorbachev. Even though this happened in the Soviet Union, it influenced all of Europe as the biggest communist system in the world at this time existed in the Soviet Union.

2) Economic collapse- European countries could not continue to successfully plan their economies like they did in past decades. This economic failure by the government to prepare resulted in the collapse of this system in Europe.