“Protests against Soviet domination in central and eastern Europe were unsuccessful up to 1980.” With reference to East Germany and Poland or Hungary and Czechoslovakia, to what extent do you agree with this statement?

Candidates are required to consider the merits or otherwise of the statement by identifying the aims of the various protests and the extent to which those aims were achieved. Protest movements in two states must be addressed but allow for some imbalance in their treatment. Frequently the protests were linked to living standards and the extent of direct Soviet control and repression. Whichever states are chosen, responses should address the extent of change, evidence of which may include the existence of increased trade with the west (Poland and Hungary, Czechoslovakia). However, in all cases the Communists remained the dominant party and in some cases repression increased (East Germany). Responses may well conclude that some protests led to improved living standards and/or the diminution (but not eradication) of direct Soviet control.