Changes

As conflict worsened in Poland, Pope John Paul II visited the country and attracted literally millions of supporters.  At one point he stood on the podium with the communist-installed leader and lectured him about respecting the dignity and freedom of the Polish people.  The communist leader trembled in front of the huge crowd.  When the Soviet Union threatened to crack down on the Polish people, the Pope declared that he would respond by returning to Poland to fight on the front lines against the communists.

As conflict worsened in Poland, Pope John Paul II visited the country and attracted literally millions of supporters.  At one point he stood on the podium with the communist-installed leader and lectured him about respecting the dignity and freedom of the Polish people.  The communist leader trembled in front of the huge crowd.  When the Soviet Union threatened to crack down on the Polish people, the Pope declared that he would respond by returning to Poland to fight on the front lines against the communists.

In April 1989 the Polish government allowed free elections for the first time World War II, and the people elected Lech Walesa as president and his group Solidarity swept into office.  Communism was defeated.  Walesa remained in power until 1995 and may have been a bit overwhelmed by all the political issues.  He was then replaced by a former communist, Aleksandr Kwasniewski, who favored some free enterprise.  The fall of communism in Poland enabled passage of laws prohibiting abortion.  Abortion rates in the communist Soviet Union had been several times higher than the rest of the world.

In April 1989 the Polish government allowed free elections for the first time World War II, and the people elected Lech Walesa as president and his group Solidarity swept into office.  Communism was defeated.  Walesa remained in power until 1995 and may have been a bit overwhelmed by all the political issues.  He was then replaced by a former communist, Aleksander Kwasniewski, who favored some free enterprise.  The fall of communism in Poland enabled passage of laws prohibiting abortion.  Abortion rates in the communist Soviet Union had been several times higher than the rest of the world.

   

   

Hungary, the same country that attempted to overthrow communism in 1956, immediately followed Poland’s lead.  In October 1989, opponents of the Communist Party took it over and dissolved it.  A new constitution allowed for national elections in 1990, and the people defeated the communists in power.  Hungary embraced some free enterprise and started a stock market.  But like much of Eastern Europe, socialists remained powerful and in 1994 they crept back into power and raised taxes.  Today Hungary is a mixture of socialism and free enterprise.

Hungary, the same country that attempted to overthrow communism in 1956, immediately followed Poland’s lead.  In October 1989, opponents of the Communist Party took it over and dissolved it.  A new constitution allowed for national elections in 1990, and the people defeated the communists in power.  Hungary embraced some free enterprise and started a stock market.  But like much of Eastern Europe, socialists remained powerful and in 1994 they crept back into power and raised taxes.  Today Hungary is a mixture of socialism and free enterprise.