PPQ PRACTICE: 72. Why was Solidarity formed in Poland? (6) For many reasons.

1. PPQ PRACTICE: 72. Why was Solidarity formed in Poland? (6) For many reasons. Background: Solidarity was a new trade union set up in Poland in the summer of 1980. Protests in Poland were different from other Eastern European countries b/c they tended to be about wagesor food prices. They protested successfully in 1956 and 1970, but in both cases they never tried to get rid of the government or challenge the USSR. Complaints by the Polish during the 1970s: Standard of living Demand for consumer goods - queuing for food … shortages) Governments handling of the economy/industry during crisis in 1979– wanted joint control to manage the economy. Government propaganda distorted the truth Solidarity grows in the summer of 1980 and many think it is the only way forward. Government announced increases in the price of meat and workers strike. Lech Walesa leads workers at Gdansk shipyard, who put forward 21 demands (free trade unions, right to strike, more pay, end censorship). Aug 30 – government agrees to Solidarity’s 21 demands. Through September and October, membership in Solidarity rises to 7 million. The communist government officially recognises Solidarity. (Jan 1981 – 9.4 million). Why did the Polish government change its policy towards Solidarity 1981? (6)

2. PPQ 72a. Why did the Polish government clampdown on Solidarity in December 1981? (6) • There were a number of factors that caused the government to clampdown on Solidarity. • Increasing signs that Solidarity was acting as a political party. • The government said it had secret tapes of Solidarity leaders talking about a new provisional government – without the Communist Party. Brezhnev would not allow this. • Poland was sinking into chaos. • Meat and fish supplies were down by 25 per cent. Almost all Poles felt the impact of food shortages. • Rationing had been introduced in April 1981. • National income had fallen by 13% in a year, industrial production by 11% and foreign trade by 20%. • Unemployment was rising. • Strikes were continuing even after Solidarity ordered them to stop. • Solidarity was also tumbling into chaos with many different factions. • Some wanted more pressure put on the communists … not Walesa. • The 1981 Congress ‘issued a statement of sympathy and support for peoples of the • Soviet bloc and to all the nations of the Soviet Union’. • The Soviets thought the situation in Poland had gone too far. • The USSR was prepared to restore Communist control. • This was something the Polish leaders wanted to avoid.