What some would call a hood ornament for their truck, others called a pinnacle of Communist proficiency. However, East Germans had to wait in an upwards to two years before seeing their new Trabant as the Communist Party was incapable of manufacturing to the meet sheer level of demand. While it was seen as visionary to the east, the Trabant was ultimately mocked by westerner’s. One of the reasons for their scoffing was its use of Duroplast, which at the time seemed silly, as steel was much more accountable in their eyes. In the end, East Germans can have the last laugh though as present day automobiles are becoming more and more plastic due to costs and durability.

Professor T Mills Kelly, “The Trabant,” Making the History of 1989, Item #672, http://chnm.gmu.edu/1989/items/show/672 (accessed January 28 2014, 9:37 pm).

Nicolae Ceaușescu had been making speeches for over a couple of decades. In fact, his speech on August 21, 1968 in defiance of the military actions taken by Moscow and a few of her allies in Czechoslovakia roused quite a considerable amount of support for not only himself, but for the Patriot Guards as well. However, when he took the balcony overlooking Palace Square (now Revolution Square) on December 21, 1989 things were not the same. He was giving his speech to the crowd that was brought in to be his claque, but it seemed that they were not taking orders anymore. After a few minutes of speaking, the crowd started to become recalcitrant and began chanting phrases. This led to hecklers coming out of the woodwork and taking potshots at him. Ceaușescu became confused to the contumacious mob. He tried to regain authority with raising his right hand slightly as if to calm the insurgent throng. It failed and he succumbed to the taunts and started to quarrel with people. It eventually led to his security forces withdrawing him into the building. His facial expressions during his bewilderment showed his vulnerability. This combined with the crowd’s unity and determination to stand for no more definitely helped lead to his ousting only a day or so later.

“Video of Ceausescu’s Last Speech, December 1989,” Making the History of 1989, Item #696, http://chnm.gmu.edu/1989/items/show/696 (accessed January 28 2014, 9:17 pm).

Seeing the poster of Gary Cooper holding a Solidarity ballot and wearing their badge had to incite something within the minds and hearts of the Polish masses. Here was a man that looked determined and was ready for a showdown regardless of the consequences. The idea that the image is trying to display seems to be one that wouldn’t be in the same city let alone sitting on the other side of the table. The representation of America and it’s pluralistic ideals in contrast to what is known of the totalitarian regime of Polish Communist Party is incredibly strong for something that looks so simple and plain. Just a man walking somewhere with an item in his hand and something pinned to his chest. The impact that the Solidarity movement had on Poland, both the people and the regime, is easily seen by the elections of June 4, 1989. The avalanche of a landslide gave way to a completely new way of life for the people of Poland. It also showed that even through continual crackdowns and oppression, the regime could not quench the peoples thirst for major reform. To me, this poster is an excellent depiction of that much desired change.

Thomas Sarnecki, “Solidarity Poster  – “High Noon 4 June 1989″,” Making the History of 1989, Item #699, http://chnm.gmu.edu/1989/items/show/699 (accessed January 28 2014, 9:28 pm).