Compare and contrast the role of Walesa in Poland and Havel in Czechoslovakia.

Candidates will identify the similarities and differences in the significance and actions of the two men in their respective countries, referring to both men throughout. The focus is likely to be on the period leading up to the collapse of the communist regime in each country in 1989; however, there should be consideration of their importance in the post-communist period. While both were well known internationally, the focus of responses must be on their domestic roles. Areas for discussion could include the extent of support for their leadership of opposition movements (Walesa had a mass following in Solidarity whereas Havel was considered an intellectual dissident with a limited role political role until 1989). Their significance and actions in 1989 could also be gauged. In the post-communist era, both became president, although Walesa only served one term whereas Havel served two and oversaw the peaceful dissolution of Czechoslovakia.