Solidarity in Poland 1980-81

Questions for discussion:

- Factory occupation by workers a new nonviolent tactic? What were its advantages?

- Compare the role of the Church in Poland with religious involvement in other nonviolent movements. What were the differences, if any?

- List the full repertoire of nonviolent action in 1980-82, and describe the advantages and disadvantages, if any, of each method.

- What were the main reasons for the severe setback of December 1981? Could the damage have been limited with better strategy?

- What were the strengths and weaknesses of the ruling Communist Party in Poland?

Background

History of Occupation

WWII and Yalta

1956, 1968

1970, 1976

1979 – Papal visit

Lenin Shipyard

Food crisis, protests

Gdansk Shipyard

Anna Walentyowicz, Lech Walesa

Occupation

Demands

Inter-Strike Committee

Gdansk Agreement

Solidarity

Rapid growth throughout society

Relationship to the party and Society

Trade Union or Social Movement

Fundamentalists vs. Pragmatists

'Firefighting'

'Registration Crisis' Government 'not fully

implementing the agreement'

Friday 3rd October noon till one. General 'warning' Strike.

Registration Crisis – 27th- 31st October, Strikes threatened.

Compromise negotiated.

'Narozniak Affair' 20 November – Police arrest

volunteer printer in Warsaw.

Strikes spread – demands for investigations into 1976 repression, and sacking of top officials..

Narozniak released by authorities, but strikes continue.

Finally are persuaded after authorities agree to negotiations.

Strike ends 28th November

( 'Narozniak today, Walesa tomorrow')

Bydgoszcz Crisis

Solidarity members beaten by security forces.

Provocation?.

Friday 27th March – 4 hour General Strike.

Workers prepare over the weekend – bring supplies and sleeping bags to work.

Negotiations, strike suspended.

Debates within Solidarity

July - Economic collapse, Hunger marches

Demand for information on food production and distribution

Debates between 'pragmatists' and 'fundamentalists'.

Government breaks off negotiations.

September 4th – Solidarity National Congress.

'State of War'

13 December, 1981

Internments and arrests

Solidarity underground

'Piast Mine'

State of War ended 1982

Tactics

'Self-Censorship'

Information

Strikes

Occupations

Organisations

Violence?

The Church

Pope's visit 1979

'Dignity'

Cautious Opposition

After December 1981

The Communist Party

Internal Pressures

External Pressures

Leadership

Police and Army

( 'Common Road, Common Aim')