Definition: 1989 is primarily remembered in European history for the collapse of the Soviet dominated Eastern European dictatorships. In 1988 Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev effectively ended the Cold War by pulling the USSR out of the arms race and renouncing the Brezhnev Doctrine, whereby Soviet troops had propped up Eastern European dictatorships that USSR had led. A wave of revolutions followed in 1989, some peaceful, some more violent – Romania overthrew their dictator in a coup and killed him – bringing a new era of democracy to the east of Europe, one not experienced since before World War Two.
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However, in 1989 Poland negotiated free elections, Hungary opened its borders and East German leader Honecker resigned when it became apparent the Soviets would not support him.
