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POLAND FALL OF COMMUNISM 1980-1995

POLAND FALL OF COMMUNISM 1980-1995. Alexey Arbuzov, Frederique Kramer, and Riccardo Stanzani. Problems in Poland before 1989. Communist leader: Wojciech Jaruzelski Elected in 1981 Dictator: imposed martial law in Poland between December 1981 to July 1983

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POLAND FALL OF COMMUNISM 1980-1995

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  1. POLANDFALL OF COMMUNISM1980-1995 Alexey Arbuzov, Frederique Kramer, and Riccardo Stanzani

  2. Problems in Poland before 1989 • Communist leader: Wojciech Jaruzelski • Elected in 1981 • Dictator: imposed martial law in Poland between December 1981 to July 1983 • Made the decision to crack down on the “Solidarity problem”, fearing Soviet intervention, although in hindsight documents show the USSR had no plans to intervene

  3. CONSUMER PROBLEMS1980’S Long lines Empty Shops Rationing

  4. RUSSIAN INFLUENCE • The USSR’s threatening pressure was a major cause of martial law in 1981 • Gorbachev’s reforms stimulated resentment in the Polish government: • Glasnost – made the Polish want lesser restrictions on media • Perestroika – created resentment, disbelief and doubt in economic reforms • Stoppage of intervention helped dissenters in gathering support with far less fear of reprisal

  5. Strikes • Dissatisfaction of Polish workers coalesced into strikes • Great strikes and protests in 1956, 1970, and the largest in 1980 • 1980: Gdansk strike, resulted in Gdansk agreement • Striking workers unite, Walesa becomes leader, forming the union of Solidarity

  6. Voice of the people Solidarity • Founded in Gdansk in August 31st, 1980 • Independent self-governing trade union • Polish government attempted its destruction with enforcement of martial law in 1981 • Medium of communication between workers and government (expression of needs) • For the most part an underground organization

  7. Gdansk agreement • Poor economic conditions in the long term created dissent across the country • Rise in meat prices sparked revolts that paralyzed Poland • The strikes resulted into government giving into their demands • Brought democratic changes into communism system • Independent unions were allowed to form, allowed more control • The largest, Solidarity, began as one of these unions but slowly transformed into a form of political party

  8. Martial Law • Martial law crushed opposition, and killed 100 people • Banned pro-democracy organizations, and banned their leaders • 90 people killed • Martial law severely effected normal life

  9. ROUND-TABLE AGREEMENT • Took place in Warsaw, February 6 – April 4 1989 • Polish government talked with Solidarity in an attempt to defuse growing social unrest What They Wanted What They Got

  10. CREATION OF SENATE • In April 1989 Solidarity was able to participate in parliamentary elections • Solidarity won majority in the Sejm and captured 99 out of the 100 available seats in the Senate • Communist candidates were unable to secure even the minimum number of votes to capture the seats that were reserved for them

  11. BIBLIOGRAPHY http://www.onwar.com/aced/data/papa/poland1980.htm http://www.gdansk-life.com/poland/solidarity http://www.globalpolitician.com/26239-poland-communism http://chnm.gmu.edu/1989/exhibits/consumerism-in-poland/ http://www.historyguide.org/europe/jaruzelski.html

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