Poland lead the way in toppling communism through the underground labor union Solidarity, one of the most unique and inspiring movements in modern European history.
Between 1980-1989, Solidarity led what has often been described as a “10 year revolution”, which ultimately resulted in the collapse of communism in Poland, a key turning point which triggered wider reform and revolution across the Eastern bloc.
The origin of Solidarity traces back to 1976. In 1979 it published a Charter of Workers’ Rights. It was formally founded on September 22, 1980, following a series of strikes that paralyzed the Polish economy.
The 1981 Soviet-inspired imposition of martial law drove the organization underground, where it survived due to support from Western labor organizations and Polish émigré groups.
On February 6, 1989, negotiations between the Polish Government and members of Solidarity opened officially in Warsaw. The results of the “Round Table Talks,” signed by government and Solidarity representatives on April 4, included free elections for 35% of the Parliament (Sejm), free elections for the newly created Senate, a new office of the President, and the recognition of Solidarity as a political party.
On June 4, as Chinese tanks crushed student-led protests in Beijing, Solidarity delivered a crushing electoral victory. By August 24, ten years after Solidarity emerged on the scene, Tadeusz Mazowiecki became the first non-communist Prime Minister in Eastern Europe.
Students may describe their History classes as long and dull (especially if you have the wrong teacher). However, a good knowledge of history is essential for all students, not just because it’s a common subject but also because it provides actual context to the reality in which we each live in and can be applied to current affairs and everyday life.
Check out 5 tips on how to study history at Examtime.com.