MJC_H1_HIST_Examiner Comments

[PRELIMS 2018] J2 H2 HISTORY ABBREVIATED EXAMINERS’ COMMENTS Section A - End of Cold War Source A (Challenge) The process of renovating this country and bringing about drastic change in the international community has proven to be much more complicated than anyone could imagine. However, let us give its due to what has been done so far. This society has acquired freedom. It has been freed politically and spirit ually, and this is the most important achievement that we have yet fully come to grips with. And we haven’t, because we haven’t learned to use freedom yet. However, an effort of historical importance has been carried out. The totalitarian system has been eliminated, wh ich prevented this country from becoming a prosperous and well-to-do country a long time ago. A breakthrough has been effected on the road of democratic change. Once again, I would like to stress that during this transitional period, I did everything that needed to be done… I’m aware that there is popular resentment as a result of today’s grace situation. I note that authority at all levels, and myself are being subject to harsh criticisms. I would like to stress once again, though, that the cardinal change in so vast a country, given its heritage, could not have been carried out without difficulties, shock and pain. Gorbachev’s Farewell Address to Soviet Citizens, 25 December 1991. . Source B (Challenge) Gorbachev's policy of glasnost came under heavy attack at the Soviet Communist Party conference today, signaling that curbs on editors and official publications spearheading the movement for greater openness in the Soviet Union could soon be imposed... During today's session a number of speakers complained vigorously of abuses of glasnost, according to Yuri Sklyarov, the head of the propaganda department of the party's policy- making Central Committee, who briefed reporters on the conference. Korotich, whose official weekly Ogonyok has been at the forefront of the glasnost movement with exposes and virulent attacks on former leader Joseph Stalin, was crit icized by name, Sklyarov said. At one point catcalls of "Ogonyok, Ogonyok," came from the floor, according to delegates who asked not to be named…The complaints against periodicals ranged from inaccuracy to failing to give criticized officials a chance to defend themselves. One criticism, voiced by several speakers, was that some journals had gone too far in their criticism of Soviet history… At least a quarter of today's speakers took issue with the way glasnost is being interpreted and enforced, according to Sklyarov's account. These speakers included Yuri Bondarev, an official of the Writers' Union and a leading spokesman for the conservatives' view that Soviet history is being defamed.” Article, “Soviet delegates attack Glasnost”, 1988

Source C (Support) A picture of mass demonstration in East Germany in 1989. Some of the banners read: “Free elections! Resignation of t