Polish and Czechoslovak Dissent Flashcards
What sparked the writing of Charter 77? Who wrote it?
In Czech., there was still unrest after Prague Spring. A music group was arrested March 1978 bc pop music was seen as “subversive,” Vaclav Havel was an intellectual who wrote Charter 77 in response.
Why did Havel write Charter 77?What was it based on?
He wrote the charter to compel the band members’ release from prison and to raise awareness for human rights violations in Hungary. He used Helsinki Accords as the basis, arguing that the Hungarian govt had agreed to respect human rights and therefore were violating Helsinki.
What were the Helsinki Accords?
The Helsinki Accords, or the Helsinki Final Act, was created on August 1, 1975, by the US, UK, Austria, Canada, France, FRG, Poland, Spain, Italy, and Hungary. It was signed by the aforementioned states and all of the European states minus Albania, who signed in 1991. Essentially, it stated that the signatories would pledge to respect each other’s borders and to uphold human rights within their states.
What happened to the 243 signatories of the Charter 77? Why didn’t more Czechoslovaks dissent?
They were persecuted w/ job loss, exile, arrest, etc. Oppression kept people from dissenting, but also because Czech. had a higher standard of living than other Warsaw Nations, so mostly only intellectuals protested.
What happened to Havel in April 1979?
He was arrested and sentenced to hard labor for 4 years, but afterwards, he tried to live a normal life in Czechoslovakia until the Velvet Rev.
Why is Solidarity so significant to the end of the Cold War?
It marked the end of Soviet hegemony.
How was the KOR formed?
In 1970s/80s, more people were questioning the Party due to economic distress. Poland’s foreign debt created a depression, so workers went on strike in June 1976, and govt cracked down. This led to formation of KOR: Workers’ Defense Committee to help jailed workers and their families.
What did the KOR achieve?
It caused the government to grant amnesty to jailed workers in 1977 and was a model for future Polish dissent.
How did the Pope play a role in Polish dissent?
In October 1978, Polish Pope John Paul II was elected, the first non-Italian pope in hundreds of years. He used his position to denounce communist oppression, and he returned to Poland in 1979 and became a symbol of change.
What led to the birth of Solidarity?
Economic problems in Poland July 1980, caused govt to raise food prices and lower wages, leading to strikes. The strikes became a national movement as Poles demanded legalization of non-govt trade unions, the economy was paralyzed by strikes, so govt relented and Solidarity was born: 1st labor union in a communist country.
Besides a union, what else was Solidarity for the Poles?
A legislative body for the proletariat, a social movement to liberalize Poland, and an alternate to communist leadership.
When did Solidarity have its first Congress? Who was elected? How many Poles were a part of Solidarity, and why was this effective?
1st congress Sept- Oct 1981, Lech Walesa elected president. 10 million Poles joined, pressured govt to make reforms using non-violent tactics to avoid violent suppression.
Why did the Polish communist leaders want to take decisive action? Did this threat actually occur?
They feared intervention from Moscow, but the Soviets were too busy in Afghanistan.
Who was Jaruzelski and how did he affect Solidarity?
He was elected 1st Secretary of the Polish Communist Party in 1981. He had a hardliner reputation, hopefully to placate Moscow. He enacted Martial Law, arrested Solidarity members, forced Solidarity to disband in 1982 by outlawing non governmental unions.
How did the US respond to Jaruzelski’s martial law?
They put an embargo on Poland.
