Solidarity played a critical role in Poland’s ability to have a peaceful transfer of power in 1989, and escort Poland into a new era of a successful democracy. This democracy had its roots in a legacy of nonviolent civil resistance to communism.
I. Pre-Solidarity
The Soviet forces that liberated Poland from Nazi occupation after World War II instituted a government whereby workers could not organize or represent themselves. During the 1970s, frustration with the one-party system grew and by the end of the decade, the Polish economy was near collapse. The continued struggle against the communist government of Poland was met with brutality by the communist party for the next thirty years. It was not until the second half of the 1970’s that …show more content…
This was a strong reminder of Poland’s loss of state sovereignty. It was not until a worker’s revolt in 1976 against price hikes resulted in hundreds of workers being arrested, that intellectuals joined the strikers. With this massive arrest of workers in 1976 came the birth of the Committee for the Defense of Polish Workers (KOR) (Goodwyn 140-141). This organization raised money to pay the legal costs incurred by the workers and to assist their families. A year after this, the Movement for the Defense of Human Civil Rights was established to hold the communist government accountable to its international commitments. This included the commitment to human rights. The student up rise throughout Poland established independent organizations that began a system of underground education. In 1978 the Association for Academic Courses was created. This opposition party flourished, publishing more than 400 publications and periodicals, and provided education in history, literature, philosophy, sociology etc. (Goodwyn
I. Pre-Solidarity
The Soviet forces that liberated Poland from Nazi occupation after World War II instituted a government whereby workers could not organize or represent themselves. During the 1970s, frustration with the one-party system grew and by the end of the decade, the Polish economy was near collapse. The continued struggle against the communist government of Poland was met with brutality by the communist party for the next thirty years. It was not until the second half of the 1970’s that …show more content…
This was a strong reminder of Poland’s loss of state sovereignty. It was not until a worker’s revolt in 1976 against price hikes resulted in hundreds of workers being arrested, that intellectuals joined the strikers. With this massive arrest of workers in 1976 came the birth of the Committee for the Defense of Polish Workers (KOR) (Goodwyn 140-141). This organization raised money to pay the legal costs incurred by the workers and to assist their families. A year after this, the Movement for the Defense of Human Civil Rights was established to hold the communist government accountable to its international commitments. This included the commitment to human rights. The student up rise throughout Poland established independent organizations that began a system of underground education. In 1978 the Association for Academic Courses was created. This opposition party flourished, publishing more than 400 publications and periodicals, and provided education in history, literature, philosophy, sociology etc. (Goodwyn