Poland + Solidarity movement

Question 1

People involved?

Answer 1

Lech Walesa: leader of solidarity movement

Edward Gierek: Head of Polish United Workers Party

General Jaruzelski; suppressed solidarity in 1981 by imposing Martial Law

Gorbachev

Question 2

Origins of solidarity

Answer 2

• Regular protests during communist rule
• Bad living conditions and rights/media of west shows better living there
• Economic conditions; lack of consumer goods, high food prices due to crop failures, foreign debt
• Religious influence; Polish Pope elected (John Paul II) 1979; people went against polish united workers authority to support him/attended mass
• Declining morale/ belief in communism (combined with fear of nuclear activities); lack

Question 3

Solidarity Rise:

Answer 3

Solidarity Rise:
Strikes by workers (workers defence committee is formed); Walsea puts forth 21 demands of Solidarity

Flying university forum; underground student discussions

1980 economic problems and dismissal of Anna Walentynowicz (worker at Lenin Shipyard who distributed underground newsletters);
lead to PASSIVE resistance strikes (200 factories and economic involved; shut down coastline and interrupt trade and construction)

GDANSK AGREEMENT: polish government gives in and allows for the creation of independent trade unions; GIVES BIRTH TO SOLIDARITY

Question 4

GDANSK AGREEMENT 1980

Answer 4

GDANSK AGREEMENT: polish government gives in and allows for the creation of independent trade unions; GIVES BIRTH TO SOLIDARITY

Question 5

what was solidarity

Answer 5

SOLIDARITY: first national labour union in a communist country; becomes social movement to liberalize life in Poland
- leader; Lech Walesa

Question 6

solidarity aims?

Answer 6

• reforms

- social movement; pressure government by non violent actions

Question 7

fall of solidarity

Answer 7

Government receives pressure from Soviet Government
Government (General Jaruzelski made leader) wants to repress it using soviet aid; impose Martial law and arrest 5000 solidarity members and repress movement (1981)

No support from catholic church + continued support of Solidarity by people

By 1982, non-government unions illegal and solidarity forced to disband

Question 8

aftermath of Jaruzelski’s martial law

Answer 8

Polish government is internationally condemned

Receive international pressure (US put trade embargo);

Poland responds by releasing Lech Walesa from prison
Underground solidarity movement continues

Walesa wins Nobel Peace Prize 1984

Question 9

how does this lead to the fall of communism in power?

Answer 9

• continued economic issues; government more willing to look for alternative
• lack of support for government by people/catholic church
• solidarity movement continued underground
• Gorbachev perestoika/glasnost policies motivate solidarity in 1987= more protests and strikes

Question 10

formation of democratic party in poland

Answer 10

Solidarity is legalized 1988 + reforms introduced (they work with government)

Solidarity wins first free elections in 1989; Walesa becomes Prime Minister however Jaruzelski remains president

Communist party defeated by popular vote; government becomes democratic

Result:

1. Legalization of non-governmental trade unions
2. Creation of president position
3. Formation of senate and elections are held (solidarity wins 99%)
4. Poland becomes a multi-party state with a coalition government (democratic)