Solidarity and KAL 007 Flashcards
What was the economic crisis in Poland?
Poland was suffering an economic crisis by 1980
- Led to popular response by Polish workers
How many workers went on strike in July and August 1980 and why?
300,000
- Government imposed rises in food prices up to 100%
How did the Polish government deal with the strikes?
Agreed to officially accept the first Polish trade union
What does Solidarity mean?
Union
Who led Solidarity?
Lech Walesa
What was Lech Walesa’s role in Gdansk?
Key in negotiating the Gdansk agreement
- This enabled solidarity to legally exist
When did Lech Walesa establish a Solidarity led government?
1989
How many members were in Solidarity?
10 million
What did Soviets decide in June 1981?
Soviet Politburo secretly decided not to undertake military intervention in Poland, regardless of circumstances
Who became Communist party leader in September 1981?
Jaruzelski
What was the martial law and when did Jaruzelski impose this?
Controlled the situation but made the economic situation worse
- 13 December 1981
Rules of martial law
- All gatherings and demonstrations banned
- Curfew 10pm-6am
- Only on state controlled radio and TV station
- Solidarity leader arrested and banned
What were Solidarity’s economic demands for workers?
- Compensation for workers on strike
- Raise workers pay by 2000 zlotys per month
- Pay rise to balance inflation
What were Solidarity’s economic demands generally?
- Abolition of commercial prices
- Ration meats through coupons
What were Solidarity’s political demands?
- Free trade unions
- Right to strike
- Freedom of press
What is gerontocracy?
Form of oligarchical rule where leaders are significantly older than most of the population
What Soviet leaders and Politburo encapsulated gerontocracy?
March 85’ - Gorbachev
Brezhnev - Died 1982 ages 75
Andropov - 68 and died 15 months later
Chernenko - 72
In 1980, the average Politburo member was 70 years old
When was KAL 007?
1st September 1983
What was KAL 007?
Shooting down of a South Korean civil airliner by a Soviet interceptor
How many died on KAL 007?
269
How did the USSR react to the KAL 007 incident?
Soviets initially denied involvement
- They then claimed it was not a civilian plane but was a spying plane for USA.
How many Americans died on KAL 007?
61
When was Androprov’s speech following KAL 007?
28th September 1983
What did Androprov say about Reagan and his administration?
- Pursuing a militaristic course
- Threatening peace as it was trying to become a global power
- Believed USA had abandoned detente
