Using the primary sources in this module, answer ONE of the following prompts:

1. While the fall of communism is often examined exclusively from the perspective of political leadership and decisions, the changes in 1989 were often driven by long-standing and powerful popular everyday concerns in eastern Europe. Given the concerns expressed in these documents, which of the everyday life issues is the most responsible for the fall of communist rule in 1989?

2. There was a clear division between the qualities and goals of everyday life in the East and everyday life in the West, a division that was played up by politicians during the Cold War period, 1950-1989. Which differences do these documents reflect? Discuss what social realities are most responsible for those differences.