Key Issue 6 - Poland Flashcards
Why were there protests against the Soviet control in Poland?
Soviet control of Poland increased in unpopularity
Numerous protests about wages and food prices occurred in an attempt to improve the standard of living
When did the Polish economy reach crisis point?
1979
What did the Polish government do in July of 1980 in reaction to the economic crisis?
They raised the price of goods, including food, while blocking any pay increases
How did people respond to the raising of prices by the government?
People were facing poverty
People went on strike
The strikes spread quickly across the country
Who was the Lenin Shipyard strike led by?
Lech Walesa
When did the Lenin Shipyard strike take place?
14th of August 1980
What did the people of the Lenin Shipyard strike demand?
The strikers had a list of 21 demands
They demanded the right to form a trade union
When was Solidarity formed?
Mid-September 1980
Why did the communist Polish government agree to meet the demands of Solidarity?
- Fear of a general strike
- Popularity
- Support of the Catholic Church
How did the fear of a general strike affect the agreement to the demands of Solidarity?
The government was afraid of a general strike which would devastate the economy of Poland
They thought there might be a general strike as originally the Solidarity membership came mainly from important areas of shipbuilding and heavy industry
How did popularity affect the agreement to the demands of Solidarity?
The movement was thought of as trustworthy and represented around 80% of the workers from a wide spectrum of Polish life
Walesa was seen as a folk hero by many
Popularity was helped as the union message was spread through its own newspaper
How did the support of the Catholic Church strike affect the agreement to the demands of Solidarity?
-In Poland the government was unable to crush the church because of the strong faith of the people
When did General Jaruzelski become Prime Minister of Poland?
February 1981
What did Jaruzelski claim to have?
Evidence that the Solidarity leaders were planning a coup
What did Jaruzelski introduce to outlaw Solidarity?
Martial law.
Walesa and most of the Solidarity leaders were put in prison
