Eastern Europe during the Cold War, 1945-1990

What is the course about?

A first aim of this course is to understand the political and economic evolution of the communist regimes established across Eastern Europe in the aftermath of the Second World War, as well as the challenges they faced ,and why and how they collapsed. When analysing the evolution of these countries, various factors must be taken into account, including events in the USSR, the evolving relations between East and West, as well as their own internal developments, including the emergence and growth of an opposition in particular in East Germany, Hungary, Poland and Czechoslovakia, and a desire to navigate their own independent path in spite of a strong dependence on Moscow. Political and socio-economic factors are also key to understand the reasons why those regimes declined during the 1970s-80s before collapsing in 1989.

A second aim of the course is to gain a better understanding, away from clichés, of what life was like for people in the Eastern bloc. Alongside the dark sides of control and repression, there was also in most countries real social progress for categories of the population who had been largely neglected until then, including women thanks to an emphasis on gender equality. Culture also played an important part in people’s life. But while official art glorified communist ideals and leaders and sought to legitimise the political regimes in place, various forms of culture also offered an opportunity to some to criticise those regimes and expose their contradictions.

What will we cover?

• The division of Europe at the end of WWII: the shadows of Yalta and Potsdam

• The establishment of the communist regimes

• Political upheavals in the early 1950s and the "New Course"

• National communism and its implications

• The 1968 Prague Spring and its consequences

• Growing difficulties in the 1970s-80s

• Life in the East: control and repression

• Life in the East: daily life

• The cultural life, between official art and dissidence

• The rise of Solidarnosc (Solidarity) in Poland and its impact

• The downfall of the communist regimes.

What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...

Explain how communist regimes emerged in Eastern Europe after WWII

List three events illustrating the growing dissatisfaction of people with the regimes during the early to mid-1950s

Discuss constructively how the different countries of the Eastern bloc tried to find their own independent path in

spite of their dependence on the USSR

Discuss constructively the significance of the Prague Spring of 1968

Analyse the extent and forms of control and repression in different countries of the Eastern bloc

Discuss constructively the social and economic achievements and failures of the communist regimes, with

specific references to various countries

Analyse the internal and external factors that led to the collapse of the communist regimes of Eastern Europe.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

Some background knowledge about European history would be useful but is not essential.

A good standard of English is required. An open mind and a willingness to engage, respectfully, in class discussion and debate.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

The course will be a combination of lectures, backed by PowerPoint presentations, and discussions in large and small groups. Handouts will be available. Material to prepare the discussions will be available on the course website.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

Please bring a pen and paper.

Books will be recommended but students are not required to purchase them if they do not wish.

This is not an exam course.

There are no extra costs.

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

HEH32The Vichy RegimeHEH33The French Resistance during the Second World WarHEH17Remodelling Europe after the Great War: the creation of new countriesHEH127A history of Russia’s borders from Ivan the Terrible to PutinHEH43Europe in the 1920s: between democracy and authoritarianism.