Solidarity In Poland Flashcards
1
Q
What were the problems posed in 1970?
A
- Increase in prices of food
- Even before 1970, most of the workers’ wages were going on food, so when the price hikes were announced, they were very angry
- December 14th - 15th there was a march and a strike
- December 17th: Black Thursday - protesters were ambushed at a shipyard, many were killed
Result: wages were raised.
Throughout the early 1970s, Poland was doing well, there was less complaining. Until 1979, when Polish economy hit rock bottom.
2
Q
Describe the events of 1980
A
[1980]
July - Increase in prices of meat
August - Workers at Gdansk shipyard lead by Lech Walesa put forth 21 demands and established a trade union called Solidarity
30th August - Government agreed to all 21 demands of Solidarity
September - Membership grew to 3.5 million
October - Membership grew to 7 million
[1981]
January - 9.4 million, over a third of the worker population in Poland
3
Q
Why was solidarity successful?
A
- One of the strongest trade unions (shipbuilding and heavy industry). If they carried out a strike, it would be disastrous for Poland’s economy
- It wasn’t seen as an opposing political party
- Walesa was careful is his negotiations and avoided provoking a dispute
- They were popular: Walesa was a sort of folk hero, he signed many autographs
- Government was playing for time and was hoping Solidarity would break down into rival factions. They were working on plans for martial law
- Solidarity was popular in the West and USSR had to keep an eye on that too
- Organized
4
Q
Describe Martial Law in 1981
A
- In February 1981, the prime minister ‘resigned’ and General Jaruzelski took power
- Solidarity produced an open letter saying that they weren’t only fighting for their rights but for the rights of other workers in the communist bloc.
- Brezhnev ordered training maneuvers on the Polish borders.
- Jaruzelski introduced martial law and put Walesa and nearly 10,000 other Solidarity leaders in prison
5
Q
Why was Solidarity crushed
A
- Solidarity was acting as a political party
- Poland was sinking into chaos with low wages and high unemployment
- Solidarity was also tumbling into chaos with its many factions
6
Q
Why was Solidarity significant?
A
- Highlighted the failure of the communists to provide a good living for people
- Highlighted inefficiency and corruption
- Showed that there were indeed organizations that could face off against communism
- Showed communism could be threatened by People Power
