Poland (Walesa) Isa Rodriguez and Amanda Goodwin

Origin and development of groups opposing colonialism

• Solidarity Trade Uniono Striking workers were jailed o Group of intellectuals made the Workers'

Defense Committee (KOR)o September 22, 1980 Solidarity was formally

founded

Key leaders in the independence movement

• Lech Walesao First Polish president o Walesa organized 3 non-communist trade

unionso Took part in strikes and protests along the

Polish coasts

• Tadeusz Mazowieckio Principal advisor to the strikers and helped

organize intellectualso Mediated for talks between the government

and the Solidarityo Prime Minister of a Coalition government with

Solidarity and communist members

Methods Used

• Published the Charter of Workers' Rights

• Rising food prices caused a greater number of striking in Gdansk

• Solidarity Trade Union by 1981 represented most of the workforce in Poland

• Solidarity expanded into appeals for economic reforms, free elections, and involvement of trade unions in decision making at the highest levels

• Government made it illegal and shut it down causing the movement to go underground

Methods cont.

• 1989 government permitted the movement due to strikes

• Allowed to have free electionso Solidarity wins the majority electionso Yay end of communism!

Connections between independence movement and

Cold War Rivalry

• Reagan played hardball with all communist institutionso Supported any independence movements to

break free from communismo Wanted annihilate all communist ties

Post Conflict Political Organization

• Semi-free parliamentary election system

• Democratic Stateo People's Republic of Poland

Difficulties faced by emerging government

• The restructuring and economic woes caused unemployment to be 20%

• Solidarity declined when Walesa ran for and won the presidency

SPERMI Impacts of Independence

• Social: Polish citizens were given more freedoms

• Political: The power of the government switches hands away from the communist

• Economic: Free-market economy not completely controlled by the government

• Religious: Little religious effects, catholic church involved in decision-making

• Military: Communist army leaves

• Ideological: The Solidarity party ideals begin to spread to other areas

Long Term Impact of Independence Movement

• 1990 Walesa elected president of Poland. Market reforms are launched

• 1992 Soviet troops start to leave Poland

• 1993 Reformed Communists enter coalition government.

• 1997 Polish parliament adopts a new constitution. General election is won by the Solidarity grouping.

• In the end, Poland breaks free from communist ties

• www.historyguide.org

• www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/553374/Solidarity

• www.local-life.com

• news.bbc.co.uk