Poland Flashcards
What triggered the start of WWII
The invasion of Poland by the nazis
How did Poland come to be under soviet control
When the Soviets liberated Poland from the nazis and it became a satellite state
Why was the soviet disliked by many polish people
They lived in a one-party state were free elections were banned
The majority of poles were catholic and the communist made it difficult for them to worship
Poor economic situation- food and fuel shortages, good were in short supply and prices were high
There were few workers benefits
Trade unions wee banned
What was the ‘last straw’ for the people in Poland
The government increased prices again as they were facing economic crisis but were unable to increase wages and salaries
What happened when the government increased prices but did not increase salaries
People all over Poland started striking
What happened at the Gdansk shipyard
Lech Walesa convinced 17 000 workers to go on strike for freedom and justice
Who led solidarity
Lech Walesa
What did Walesa turn the workers demand for better wages into
A campaign for solidarity r]to be allowed to exist as a free trade union independant if the communist party.
What were majority of members of solidarity
Catholic anti-communist
Why did the members of solidarity support democratisation
Because the catholic’s wanted to defend their religion since were inspired by the election of pope John Paul II who showed his support of solidarity (through speeches and a visit)
The USA and the CIA beloved that supporting a small anti-communist movement was a good way to undermine a key communist satellite state
Which other shipyard joined Gdansk
Szczecin
What helped to shipyard workers to hold out for longer
The media coverage and international support
What happened when the polish government eventually gave up
They sent the governmental commission to Gdansk to negotiate with the people and sign an agreement
What was the name of the agreement that was signed
The Gdansk agreement
What was the Gdansk agreement seen as
The first step in dismantling soviet control in Poland
What did the Gdansk agreement mean
People were allowed to form free trade union independent from the communist party and they were allowed to strike.
Workers concerns would receive representation
People could introduce demo rating changes to the communist political structure
What is ‘Solidarity’ in polish
‘solidarnosc’
What was so remarkable about solidarity
It was the first trade union allowed to exist in a satellite state
People were astounded because they never thought that could happen
What happen with 500 days of the Gdansk agreement
10 million people (student, workers and intelligentsia) joined solidarity
What percentage of the workforce joined solidarity
80%
From what did solidarity change to
From a trade union to a revolutionary movement
Although solidarity had become a revolutionary movement. What was but careful not to do
Use violence because they feared that it would lead to a harsh respomce from the government
What happened to 27 solidarity members at a national council meting
They were assaulted by the state police
What happened after the members were assaulted
A nationwide strike was planned
What did the nationwide strike result in
Poland coming to a standstill
One of the largest strikes in the history of the eastern bloc
The government was forced to investigate the assaults and allow the story to be released internationally
How did the Soviet Union react to the solidarity movement in Poland
Put pressure on the polish government
Put Jaruzelski in charge. He:
-Declared martial law
-Arrested 5000 solidarity members including Walesa
-Expanded censorship and police filled the streets
-Harshly put down hundreds of strikes leading to any deaths
Solidarity was banned
What happened after solidarity was banned and it seemed like it wasn’t going to survive
It went underground and thrived. It gained international support: -Margret thatcher -Pope John Paul II -CIA and American president Reagan -Carillo Supported by organisations: -NATO -Christian groups -western communists -liberals -conservatives -socialists
What did the Is president Ronald Reagan do to show his support of solidarity
He placed sanction on Poland to make the government soften its policies
How did the CIA and the Catholic Church show support to solidarity
They provided funds, equipment and training
How did the polish people show support to solidarity
They participated in masses held by priests
How did Poland react to solidarity
Walesa was released but government attacked solidarity and arrested 10 000 members
Martial law was lifted but:
-still restrictions on civil liberties and political life
- food rationing continued
Very bad economic situation due to foreign sanctions and government’ a refusal to introduce more reforms
More strikes because of increase in price of food
Government announced that it would meet with Walesa to negotiate (Walesa agreed to stop all strikes)
