In the 1980's the communists had a strong reliance on heavy industry and there was a lack of access to basic materials such as good and clothing. Consumer goods were outdated and of poor quality in the communist areas while the capitalist were producing new modern technologies.

The people in eastern Europe were become more aware of the economic disparities and were becoming increasing intrigued by the lifestyle of those living in Western countries. Eastern Europe was able to see the images of prosperity from the western nations and thus became more aware of the failure of communism in providing high living standards.

Reform movement in Hungary (1956) and Czechoslovakia (1968). However they were crushed through soviet force

March 1985 he became leader of the USSR and drove comunist reform. His three main policies were openness, restructuring and democratisation. He was a leader who was prepared to listen to and act to solve the economic dissatisfaction and cause change in the USSR and Eastern Europe

Gorbachev was more willing to work with the US. Regan and Gorbachev signed a treaty to remove all nuclear missiles from Europe

Gorbachev's refrom 'openess' lead East European countries to feel more free to express their feeling of wanting freedom, democracy and end of the communist government. Destruction of communist power was shown in the break down of the Berlin wall (1989).

'Reagan victory school'- argues that it was due to Reagan's military and ideological pressures which forced the soviets to abandon expansionism thus Reagan was responsible for the end of the cold war