Polish Solidarity Movement Flashcards
(16 cards)
What started solidarity?
Gdansk shipyard strike
When was Gdansk shipyard strike
August 14, 1980
Reasons for Solidarity success (4)
- Union was strongest in important industries so gov couldn’t afford them going on strike
- Supported by some communists as well
- Lech Walesa careful in negotiations with gov to make sure USSR didn’t come in
- Supported by the west and catholic church
What were the actions by strikers (2)
- 21 demands
- free trade union called solidarity
Membership of solidarity in October 1980
7 million
When did gov agree to 21 demands?
31 August
When was Solidarity recognized by the Government?
October 1980
When did solidarity peak?
9.4 million in January 1981
Who was the communist leader brought into power in Poland 1981?
General Jaruzelski
When was general Jaruzelski brought into power?
February 1981
Why was he brought into power?
USSR wanted someone to overcome the economic crisis and treat anticommunists harshly
Who was general Jaruzelski?
ex-army general
Jaruzelski actions (8)
- Dec 1981 tried to work with Walesa but failed
- Dec 1980 - March 1981 army takes over first casualties
- April 1981 food rationing to deal with shortages
- Imposed martial law
- Arrested Walesa and 10000 solidarity leaders
- Suspended solidarity movement
- Increased polish army presence on streets
- Increased censorship
Who was USSR leader during solidarity?
Brezhnev
Reasons why Jaruzelski stopped solidarity (4)
- USSR acting threatening “training maneuvers”
- Workers were striking leading to economic crisis/inflation/unemployment
- Stop challenge to communist party
- Solidarity too large and out of control, no longer viable
Why was it a failure for USSR ?
- In 1988, protests began again, including several illegal strikes
- This prompted talks between Solidarity and the Polish Government
- By 1989 an agreement to hold new elections was made
- Solidarity was legalized and formed a coalition without the soviets
- This was the end of communism in Poland
