Collapse of communism in

Eastern Europe: Poland

By Matteo Guasone

Learning Questions

What were the reasons for the collapse of Communism in Poland?

To what extent was Pope John Paul II responsible for the collapse of communism in Poland?

Vocab Władysław Gomułka

Edward Gierek

Solidarity

Pope John Paul II

Lech Walesa

General Jaruzelski

Odwilz

George Weigel

Francis Rocca

Michael Joseph

Preview Activity

What does this source suggest?

Poland before Communism

End of WW2 USSR liberates Poland from Nazi control

Yalta conference demands for free elections, but Stalin manipulates them

Instalment of a Communist style government, Polish People’s Republic under Bolesław Bierut, but Communism not as influent as in other Eastern European countries due to Catholic Church

The Polish Thaw Relaxation

From Stalin’s death 1953 to 1956

Around the World (Dookoła Swiata)

Students wanted to be part of the global youth culture

“We were coming out of the era of fear and nonsense.” Tadeusz Mazowiecki

Ended with Polish October in 1956, Gomułka appointed leader

Władysław Gomułka Became leader in 1956

Anti-Stalinist, was expelled by the party in 1951

Got to power in 56 after Beirut died, supported by Khrushchev, appointed by a divided PUWP

Agreed with USSR that if he followed Soviet foreign policies, he could have decided his own domestic reforms:

EX. Decreased the number of collective Farms to 10%

In 1960’s shifted to conservatism in terms of economical policies

Strong relations with China

Gomulka’s Social reforms

Creation of workers’ councils

Freedom of speech and artistic expression

Freedom of religion, also for the Catholic church

Free Schools and Universities (even if of communist philosophy)

Free health care

Gomulka’s Economic Reforms

Modernization of industry which was still backwards.

Had to borrow heavily from the west

No Political reform on Industries was made

Mainly concentrated on Agriculture

Reversed Collectivization: Land was broken down into smaller sections, which

were owned by farmers Food production decreased drastically in 1968, led

to shortages

Gierek’s rise to power

Gomulka was replaced by Gierek after the December strikes due to drastic increase in food prices.

Gierek was a great speaker and had many friends in the west, which allowed him to easily borrow loans.

1973-Oil crisis- Gierek had to higher the prices of oil which resulted into new strikes.

The production of consumers goods decreased

June 2, 1979-The Turning Point in Polish History

Pope John Paul II, the first Polish Pope, was the first Pope to enter a communist state.

At first government didn’t want him to come, but the pressure among people was too high.

On June the 2nd, Pope JPII arrived in Warsaw for an eight day pilgrimage.

KGB was afraid of the Pope

Source

“The pope is our enemy. Due to his uncommon skills and great sense of humor he is dangerous,

because he charms everyone, especially journalists. Besides, he goes for cheap gestures in his relations with the crowd, for instance, puts on a highlander's hat, shakes all hands, kisses

children. . . . It is modeled on American presidential campaigns. . .  Because of the

activation of the Church in Poland our activities designed to atheize the youth not only cannot diminish but must intensely develop. . .  In this respect all means are allowed and we cannot

afford any sentiments."( Yuri Andropov)

The Pope Speaks To His People

Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obR-__x4-uE

Solidarity After the Gdansk Shipyard strike, Lech Walesa an

electrician, became the leader of the Solidarity trade union thanks to the help of the Pope.

Called for improved wages and conditions

Due to the Pope’s influence results were: Recognition of Solidarity Right to strike Increased wages Reduced censorship Catholic church re-allowed By 1981, according to Weigel, solidarity reached 8

million members

General Wojciech Jaruzelski

• Became leader in late 1981

• Against Solidarity

• Martial Law Declared in 1981:Walesa imprisonedSolidarity Banned

• In June Pope meets Jaruzelski, one month later Martial Law lifted, but Solidarity was still an illegal trade union

The Fall Of Communism 85-89

85- Food prices increased, Solidarity organises 10 strikes in the biggest industries of the country

86-Radical economical reforms were implemented, but useless as crisis continued to rise

87-Gorbachev DEMANDS SOLIDARITY to form an organization to carry out his reforms

88-More Strikes by solidarity. The whole coal industry went on strike. Solidarity legalized.

March 1989 Solidarity agrees with gov. a series of reforms, and to hold free political elections

August 1989

Elections resulted into a clear victory for solidarity

Tadeusz Mazowiecki became prime minister, he was a member of Solidarity

First non-communist leader to be elected in over 40 years in Eastern Europe

What were the most

determining factors in the fall

of communism?

The Satellite states

Leaders Of the USSR

“Race” with USA

THE END