Collapse of the USSR: The Solidarity Movement

Question 1

Life in Poland

Answer 1

Lived in one party state with no free elections
Religion suppressed which clashed with large Roman Catholic population
1980s poor economic situation - food and fuel shortages + high prices

Question 2

Emergence of Solidarity (6)

Answer 2

• July 1980: Price increases was the last straw for many Poles, strikes spread across the country
• Lech Walesa persuaded 17000 workers to strike at the Gdansk shipyards.
• Turned the workers to demand better wages and for Solidarity to exist as a free trade union
• Catholic + CIA support of Solidarity grew its membership (undermine Satellite state)
• Szeczecin workers joined Gdansk strikes and eventually gained international coverage and support.

Question 3

Results of Gdansk (4)

Answer 3

• Polish government agreed to meet with Solidarity in September 1980. Gave in to demands of the workers
• Allowed formation of labour unions. Solidarity officially came to be in September 1980.
• 10 million people joined the movement (80% of the Polish workforce)
• Slowly became a revolutionary force in the country, never turned violent.

Question 4

USSR reaction to Solidarity (4)

Answer 4

USSR asked Poland to take control of the country

• Wojciech Jaruzelski put in power (hardliner)
• Enacts martial law in December 1981 and arrest 5000 members of the movement. Strikes are put down
• Solidarity banned in 1982 - Walesa and other leaders arrested. Gains support underground + international condemnation for Jaruzelski.
• Reagan enacts sanctions on Poland

Question 5

Effects in EE (5)

Answer 5

• The actions of unarmed workers using peaceful protest being able to overcome a strong Communist government inspired peoples of the Eastern Bloc to rise up and gain independence.
• EG: Change of leader and mass protests
• Czechoslovakia: Velvet Revolution and end of CP.
• Hungary + Bulgaria + EG: 1990 elections
• Romania: Ceausescu executed and new government installed