Introduction
Background
Strikes in Gdansk
Results
Bibliography

 

Introduction

The Solidarity movement, which began in Gdansk, Poland, served as a frontier in the fall of Eastern European communism. Poland's poor economic and political situation, which had increased since the rise of communism, fueled this revolt. In pursuit of democracy, Poles came together to form "Solidarnosc," or the Solidarity trade union, which fought for equal rights and better conditions for Poles. Although Solidarity faced opposition, it eventually led to the downfall of communism in Poland and also inspired other Soviet satellites to revolt. Thus, the uprisings in Gdansk served a frontier in the fall of the iron curtain throughout Eastern Europe. Top of Page

 Background

The Solidarity movement stemmed from years of economic hardship resulting from communist rule. Communism was firmly established in Poland by 1948, only four years after the U.S.S.R. had invaded the country. Communist officials firmly believed that by government central planning, all goods and services would be shared equally. They promised a bright future under communism. However, while industrial production increased, domestic consumer products decreased. According to Mr. Biedak, a Polish emigrant and a former member of the Solidarity union, "You would go to a store, like Sudbury Farms [supermarket], and there was no food on the shelves. Poland was one of the world's leading industrial producers, and yet the people never saw any of the goods that were produced."

The deteriorating economic conditions and the Poles' overall exasperation with communism led the Polish working class to stage as series of demonstrations in 1956,1968,1970 and 1976. However, these revolts were unsuccessful because the Poles weren't united in their fight to end communism. Top of Page

This diagram depicts the rising tensions in Poland. The uprisings and revolts the workers performed in 44, 56, 68, 70, 76, and 80 led to the formation of Solidarity.

 
This is a map of Poland that shows the changes of the borders since 1939.

 

Strikes in Gdansk

In 1980, meat prices in Poland had reached an all time high, causing workers to organize another uprising, centralized in the Gdansk shipyard. Many factors made the 1980 revolt successful, including nationalism. In 1979, John Paul II, a Pole, was elected Pope. Returning to his homeland, he evoked a massive outburst of national pride, and encouraged a revolt to gain religious freedom. His speeches attracted thousands of Poles, encouraging them to revolt against communist rule. In addition, the 1980 revolt united the "intelligencia" and the working class for the first time. Strikers in Gdansk formed the trade union called Solidarity. The trade union drafted 21 demands, including the right to strike, freedom of speech and improved working conditions. Solidarity's leader, Lech Walesa, led Poles to defeat communism and pave the way for democracy in Eastern Europe.

 While Solidarity moved to win reform, the Polish government declared marital law in 1981, establishing military rule. Trade unions were outlawed, Walesa and other leader were jailed. According to Mr. Biedak, "Strict rules were set in the city. No one could leave town and everyone must be in their house by six o'clock." However, solidarity went underground, and leaders continued to press for reform. Top of Page
 

This image portrays Lech Walesa speaking to shipyard workers at Gdansk Shipyard. Walesa is a labor activist who helped form and the first independent trade union, Solidarity. He received the Nobel Peace in 1983 and later went on to become president of Poland from 1990-1995.

 

 

 

Results

Although martial law persisted for almost a decade, the communist party found that military rule could not revive Poland's failing economy. As the economic crisis worsened, public discontent increased. In August 1988, the communist government, faced with the largest labor unrest since 1980, agreed to hold talks with Solidarity leaders.

Negotiations began in February 1989. By April, representatives had agreed on the legalization of Solidarity and free elections for seats in the Sejm (Polish Parliament). Polish voters overwhelmingly supported Solidarity candidates. On August 25, 1989, the Polish parliament chose Solidarity leader Tadeusz Mazowiecki as the nation's first noncommunist prime minister. Thus, Poland was free from communist rule.

  The revolutionary changes in Poland sparked reforms throughout Eastern Europe. As in Poland, other Soviet satellites were faced with deteriorating economic conditions and oppressive communist governments. Inspired by the collapse of communism in Poland, radicals in Hungary opened its borders and dissolved its communist party. Demonstrations in Eastern Germany led to the fall of the Berlin Wall and the reinstatement of democracy. Communist governments also fell in Czechoslovakia and Romania. Because of the Solidarity movement, the iron curtain, which had cast its shadow on Eastern Europe since World War II, had finally been lifted.

 

Top of Page

 

Bibliography

Primary Sources

Kapusta, Brian. "Interview of Stanislaw Zelasko." Solidarity Movement.

URL: http://shrike.depaul.edu/~bkapusta/binter.html

This site gave an in depth interview with a member of the Solidarity union who was involved in the initial strikes at the Gdansk shipyard. Mr. Zelasko, a now fifty-year old man who lives in Debica, Poland, painted a clear picture of life under the communist regime. He also described how he became involved in the strikes and even went on to depict martial law. Although the interview did exclude important pieces of the Solidarity movement, it was helpful in portraying life in Poland during the early 70's and 80's.

 

Walsea, Lech. The Struggle and the Triumph; An Autobiography. Hamermill Press, New York New York; 1994

This autobiography served as an excellent primary source. Here, Walsea recounts his life's experiences before and after the solidarity movement. Because of its great length, we focused mainly on his work in the Solidarity Union and his role as the first president of Poland. In addition, the book provided an excellent map that displayed the various changes in Poland's border over the past century.

 

Biedak, Jan. Personal Interview. 22 Dec, 2000.

Mr. Biedak was perhaps the most informative and important source in our project. An emigrant from Poland, Mr. Biedak was a member of the solidarity union and is still connected to Polish politics today. Visiting him at his house in Needham, Mr. Biedak combined vast historical knowledge with a clear picture of life under the communist regime. In addition to relating his story, Mr. Biedak provided us with artifacts, books and other pictures that further helped us in developing this project. Many thanks goes out to him for his influence on our project.

 

Gdansk; Pictures from a Strike. Warsaw, Poland: Pules Publications, 1981.

This primary source gave us a wealth of pictures taken from the strikes in Gdansk in 1981. Also, the book provided a list of the 21 demands of the solidarity union, drafted in 1981.

 

Walesa, Lech. We won the war but not the peace. Archival audio. 22, Nov. 1999.

URL: Http://www.rferl.org/naca/special/10 years/poland3.html

(5 Dec, 2000)

This was a speech given by Lech Walesa at a strike in the Lenin shipyard in Gdansk, Poland. Through this speech, we were able to clearly see how Walsea's dynamic personality and leadership skills allowed him to lead the Polish union workers in their fight to end communism.

Secondary Sources

"Barnes, Jane and Helen Whitney. "John Paul II & The Fall of Communism."

John Paul II- the Millennial Pope.URL: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/showes/pope/communism/ (22 Oct. 2000)

"Fall of Communism in Eastern Europe 1980- 1991." Bell + Howell. URL: http://www.go.com/2win=_search&sv=mb&qt=fall+of+ communism+in+Eastern+Europe&oq=Needham+Public+Library&url=http (22 Oct 2000)

" Gdansk (Danzig)" Grolier Electronic Encyclopedia. 1999 ed.

"Gdansk" The World Book Encyclopedia. 1999 ed.

Graebner, Norman A. The Cold War; the Ideological Conflict or Power Struggle. Lexington: D.C Heath and Company, 1963.

Heubner, Jeff W. "Gdansk (Gdansk, Poland). International Dictionary of Historic Places. 1 Jan 1995: 289-294

Holley, David. "20 Yearls Later, Solidarity Pioneers Look Back on the History They Made." Los Angeles Times 9 Aug. 2000: A-14

Janusz Bugajski, "Gdansk," World Book Online Americas Edition. URL: http://www.worldbookonline.com/wbol/wbPage/n:a/ar/co/219100 (18 Oct. 2000)

Jennings, Peter, Todd Brewster. "New Morning; 1981- 1989." The Century. New York: Doubleday, 1998. 467- 521.

Johnson, Marguerite. "For Moths Poland's Communist Party has been Losing Its Grip On." Time International. 28 Aug 1989. 8.

Johnson, Paul. Modern Times. New York: New York: Harper and Row Publishers, 1983.

Kreiger, Larry S., Kenneth Neill, Steven L. Jantzen. "The USSR dominated Eastern Europe." World History; Perspectives on the Past. Lexington: D.C Heath and Company, 1994. 752-757.

Michnik, Adam. " The New Poland/Rebirth of A Nation; Starting over Poland Talked its Way From Dictatorialism to Democracy. Reunion with Europe Requires more than Just Talk." Time International. 3 May. 1999: 34.

Moskwa, Wojciech. "Poland's Solidarity unsure of Future." 29, Aug, 2000. URL:http://a228.g.akamai.net/7/228/289/4a3867165f8fbc/new.indiainfo.com/ (18 Oct. 2000)

"Poland Out of Hiding; Solidarity's New Challenge." Time. 13 Oct. 1986. 52.

Sennholz, Hans F. "Tension in Poland." The Freeman. 1981. URL: http://www.libertyhaven.com/countriesandregions/poland/ tensionpoland.html (19 Oct. 2000)

Sofer A. "The Blitzkrieg Against Poland, 1939." Information and Insight: In depth Features.. 1999. URL: http://www.shemayisreal.com/chareidi/archives5760/noach/featurs.htm (19 Oct 200)

"Solidarity" Grolier Electronic Encyclopedia. 1999 ed.

Szomburg, Jan., Michael Coppedge. "Political Barriers to Economic Reform; Poland + Venesuela." Center for International Private Enterprise. URL: http://www.cipe.org/ert/e07/7polven.html (18 Oct 2000)

"The Birth of Solidarity In Poland Newsweek. 1982. URL: http:/shrike.depaul.edu/~bkapusta/new3.html (18 Oct 2000)

Usher, Rod. "Stepping Down Is Hard; Lech Walesa Bids a Furious Farewell to the Polish Presidency and returns to the Gdansk Shipyard." Time International. 22 Jan1996.

Walesa, Lech, Vaclav Havel. "Voices of the Century; the World at War- Shipyard of Solidarity." Newsweek International. 27 Dec. 1989.

Weigel, George. "Gdansk Heroes Showed a Dignity No Tyrant Can Reach." Los Angels Times. 29 Aug. 2000: B-9.

Weydenthal, Jan. "Poland: Inevitable Fall of Communism Began Ten Years Ago." Poland. 1995. URL: http://www.rferl.org (22 Oct. 2000)

  mon

This is a monument found currently in the city of Gdansk. It honors the workers in the Gdansk shipyard who sacraficed their lives and careers to form the Solidarity Trade Union.

Website created by Jon Levy, Steve Hauschka, and Ali Laks.