Central And Eastern Europe

by John Dornberg

Overview

John Dornberg explores the drama of the disintegration of Communist Eastern Europe and the painful emergence of new regimes. The author, a professional jourbanalist who has served as bureau chief for Newsweek in Bonn, Vienna, and Moscow, brings an exciting dimension and an insider's perspective to the unfamiliar political systems and complex foreign relations of these nations. This outstanding and timely study covers Poland, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Albania, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and the five Yugoslav successor states.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780897749428
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	10/30/1995
Series:	International Government & Politics Series
Pages:	248
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.53(d)
Age Range:	14 Years

About the Author

JOHN DORNBERG is a foreign correspondent, magazine writer, and author who has been writing about Germany, Eastern Europe, and the Soviet Union for more than 30 years. A former bureau chief and correspondent of Newsweek in Bonn, Vienna, Moscow, and Munich, he has been freelancing from his base in Munich since 1973. Dornberg is the author of 11 books, including the highly acclaimed Eastern Europe: A Communist Kaleidoscope, The Two Germanys, and The Soviet Union Today. He is also the author of Central and Eastern Europe from Oryx Press.

Table of Contents

CONTENTS
List of Maps v
Preface vii
Part 1: The Region 1
CHAPTER 1: Miracles and Nightmares 3
The Miracle of 1989 3
The Nightmare of the 1990s 5
The Communist System in Eastern Europe
Economic Changes After 1989 9
Revival of the Ex-Communists 12
Ethnic Violence and Nationalism 13
CHAPTER 2: A Jigsaw Puzzle Map 16
CHAPTER 3: The Peoples: An Ethnic Pressure Cooker 20
Communism and Nationalism 22
Nationalism in the Soviet Union 23
The Breakups of Yugoslavia and Czechoslovakia 25
Other Ethnic Conflics in the Region 27
Common Outcasts: The Jews and the Gypsies 29
Religious Conflicts 33
National Pride and Symbols 34
Border Changes 35
CHAPTER 4: The Living Past 37
Greek and Roman Times 37
Common Influences and Experiences 40
The Slavs 41
The Bulgars and Magyars 42
Medieval Empires of Eastern Europe 43
CHAPTER 5: 1918-1993: Seventy-Five Years on a Roller Coaster 48
Consequences of World War I
Impact of World War II
Revolutions That Weren't 52
Socialism Versus Communism 56
"People's Democracies" 57
Voodo Economics 60
Time for a Change 62
CHAPTER 6: From Straitjackets to Jackets—Political Change 64
CHAPTER 7: The Rocky Road to Prosperity—Economic Change 68
CHAPTER 8: The Whirlpool of Social Change 72
Rising Crime 73
Enviromental Mess 74
Setbacks for Women 76
Migration Problem 7
CHAPTER 9: Dangers from the Past 80
Rise of Neo-Fascism 80
CHAPTER 10: Westward, Ho! Eastward, Whoa! 88
Part 2: The Countries 93
CHAPTER 11: Poland 95
Statistical Profile 95
History Before 1918 96
History: 1918-1993 100
Political Development of the 1990s 107
Economy Since 1989 108
CHAPTER 12: The Czech Republic and Slovakia 111
Statistical Profiles 111
Common History Before 1918 114
History of Czechoslovakia: 1918-1993 117
Political Developments of the 1990s 142
Economy Since 1989 144
CHAPTER 14: Romania 146
Statistical Profile 146
History Before 1918 147
History: 1918-1993 151
Political Developments of the 1990s 156
Economy Since 1989 157
CHAPTER 15: Bulgaria 159
Statistical Profile 159
History Before 1918 161
History: 1918-1993 151
Political Developments of the 1990s 166
Economy Since 1989 167
CHAPTER 16: The South Slav Countries—Former Yugoslavia 169
Statistical Profiles 169
History Before 1918 177
History: 1918-1993 183
Political Developments of the 1990s 189
Economy Since 1989 204
Glossary 206
Additional Reading 213
Index 217

Editorial Reviews

Gr 9 Up-This book addresses the developments, changes, and issues that have occurred in Central and Eastern Europe since 1990 when the Cold War ended. The 12 countries included were, at the beginning of 1995, independent, sovereign, and diplomatically recognized states with membership in the United Nations and other international organizations. The first part of the book examines the area's geography, diverse mixture of peoples and ethnic groups, and history. Also covered are the region's current political, economic, social, and cultural developments, problems, and prospects. Maps and photographs add interest and clarification of borders. Part II treats each country separately, providing a statistical profile and map for each one. This volume makes the history and issues of a very complicated part of the world accessible to YAs. It is an exciting and fascinating journey written by a former bureau chief and correspondent of Newsweek who is accustomed to writing for the populace. A glossary explains some of the political, economic, and historical terms used in the book. There is also a list for additional reading and a comprehensive index.-Dana McDougald, Cedar Shoals High School, Athens, GA

School Library Journal

Chapters divided into two sections on the region and specific countries address political and social changes since the fall of communism, political history, religious and ethnic conflicts, environmental issues, and neo-fascism. Chapters on seven countries present statistical profiles, history before and after 1918, and recent political economic developments. Includes b&w photos, a glossary, and numerous maps. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews