Crash Course European History: The Post-Communist Era

Introduction

• Filmed during a global pandemic; reminder of living within history's forces.
• Past dangers predicted: environmental disasters, superbugs, global conflicts.
• Reflection on historical impacts of diseases, e.g., Black Death.

Fall of Communism in Eastern Europe

• Assets from collective ownership transitioned poorly to private control.
• Example: Tetris owned by the Soviet state, later rights returned to creator Alexi Pajitnov.
• Collapse led to loss of social services: health care, sanitation.
• Economic instability: inflation in Romania (135%), Ukraine (800%).
• Ethnic conflicts, e.g., Yugoslavia's ethnic cleansing and massacres.

Post-Communism Developments

• Emergence of democratic institutions and private enterprise.
• Stabilization of Eastern European governments.
• Countries presented as potential EU and NATO members.

Expansion of NATO and EU

• NATO: Includes Hungary, Czech Republic, Poland.
• EU: Formed officially with 1992 Maastricht Treaty.
  • Scandinavian countries, Spain, Britain joined.
  • Britain gained economic aid, pulled out of economic doldrums.
  • Common policies on business, pollution, health warnings.
  • Euro adopted by most, not by Britain, Sweden, Denmark.

European Union Challenges and Criticisms

• EU seen as model for international cooperation but faced criticisms.
• Example: Fishing industry impacted by EU's regulations to preserve fish stocks.
• Eastern Europeans felt like "poor cousins" but saw consumerism rise.
• Mixed reactions to EU membership; concerns over loss of identity and sovereignty.

Fragmentation and Integration

• Czechoslovakia split into Czech Republic and Slovakia.
• Yugoslavia and Soviet Union split into multiple states.
• Rise of ethnic sovereignty alongside desire for EU/NATO membership.
• UK devolved powers to Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland.

Conclusion

• Globalism vs. hyper-localism debates.
• Questions of local vs. national vs. supranational responses to global challenges.