All questions of Two Europes, East & West since 1945 for UPSC CSE Exam

Introduction:
Mikhail Gorbachev introduced the policies of glasnost and perestroika in the Soviet Union in the 1980s.

Glasnost:
- Glasnost, meaning "openness" in Russian, referred to the policy of increased transparency in government activities and freedom of speech.
- Gorbachev aimed to promote open discussion and criticism of the Soviet government, allowing for more freedom of expression.

Perestroika:
- Perestroika, which means "restructuring" in Russian, focused on reforming the Soviet economic and political system.
- Gorbachev sought to modernize the Soviet economy by introducing elements of capitalism and decentralization.

Reasons for Introducing the Policies:
- Gorbachev believed that the Soviet Union needed significant reforms to address economic stagnation, political corruption, and social unrest.
- He recognized the need for greater transparency and accountability in government to regain public trust.

Impact of Glasnost and Perestroika:
- Glasnost led to increased freedom of speech and the press, allowing for public criticism of government policies.
- Perestroika brought about economic restructuring, including limited privatization and market reforms.
- These policies ultimately contributed to the eventual dissolution of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War.
Overall, Gorbachev's introduction of glasnost and perestroika marked a significant shift in Soviet policy, paving the way for greater openness and reform in the country.

The breach of the Berlin Wall in 1989 was marked by a peaceful protest and a massive demonstration of people defying the threat of violence, as mentioned in the text.

Slobodan Miloševi?, as mentioned in the text, was known for stirring up Serbian nationalist feelings during the Balkan conflicts.

The term used to describe the forced removal of a population from a certain area based on ethnicity, as seen in the Bosnian War, is "ethnic cleansing."

The organization formed as a mutual defense alliance in response to the fear of an attack, particularly from the USSR, was the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). NATO was established in 1949 to provide collective defense for its member states against potential aggression.

The Organization for European Economic Co-operation (OEEC), founded in 1949, aimed at economic, social, and cultural collaboration, as well as military cooperation among its member states. It was an early step towards European integration.

One of the key reasons behind the establishment of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) was to improve economic cooperation and reduce trade barriers specifically in the coal, iron, and steel industries among the six member countries. This was intended to enhance economic efficiency and stability in post-war Europe.

The United Nations (UN) was responsible for policing the ceasefire and aiding in Bosnia during the Bosnian War, as mentioned in the text.

In the 1980s, communist Eastern European countries faced economic challenges due to a lack of resources and trade restrictions. The text mentions that these countries had inefficient, over-centralized economic systems and were expected to do most of their trading within the Communist bloc. This led to economic difficulties and a lower standard of living for the population.

Ernest Bevin, the British Foreign Secretary, took the lead in organizing 16 European nations to draw up a plan for the best use of American aid through the European Recovery Programme (ERP). This initiative was a response to the American offer of Marshall Aid.

Czechoslovakia experienced a peaceful split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia, as mentioned in the text.

The Council of Ministers consisted of government representatives from member states and aimed to coordinate economic policies and promote cooperation among European nations. It was a key institution within the European Community.

The Dayton Agreement in 1995 resulted in a peace treaty for Bosnia with a unified state, as mentioned in the text.

The European Court of Justice was set up to deal with problems related to the interpretation and operation of the Treaty of Rome, especially concerning the European Community. It served as a legal institution within the European integration process.

The primary function of the European Payments Union (EPU) in the early days of European economic cooperation was to encourage trade by improving the system of payments between member states. This helped facilitate trade and economic integration.

The main purpose of setting up the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) was to remove trade barriers and improve the efficiency of coal, iron, and steel industries among the six member countries. This initiative aimed to promote economic cooperation and reduce the risk of conflicts related to these key industries in post-World War II Europe.

Poland was the first Eastern European country to peacefully reject communism. The text states that Poland led the way in the collapse of communism in the region.

In East Germany, the Protestant Church played a role in the opposition movement by organizing rallies and serving as a focal point for opposition activities, as mentioned in the text.

France, a major European power, withdrew from NATO in 1966 due to concerns about the dominant American role in the alliance and the control over its own forces.

France withdrew from NATO in 1966 due to concerns about the dominant American role in the alliance and the control over its own forces. France wanted to maintain greater autonomy in its military decisions.