Solidarity

Question 1

1979

Answer 1

Polish economy was in a crisis

Question 2

1980 August

Answer 2

Workers at Gdansk shipyard led by lech walesa put forward 21 demands to government

Question 3

January 1981

Answer 3

9.4 million members and was recognised by the government

Question 4

February 1981

Answer 4

Produced and ‘open letter’ say that they were not just campaigning do Polish rights but rights of workers across Eastern Europe

Question 5

Why did USSR crush solidarity

Answer 5

1. Political party that threatened communist rule

2. Poland was sinking into chaos- unemployment was rising

Question 6

Why did Polish government accept solidarity

Answer 6

1. Union was strong in industries that mattered to government
2. Solidarity was very popular
3. USSR was cautious of crushing it violently because it was unpopular in the west

Question 7

What did solidarity prove

Answer 7

1. Communism was not making people’s lives better
2. Party members had better lives than ordinary people
3. Organisations could challenge and change government policies