The Polish Crisis: 1980-1981

In the 1940s, Poland comes under communist rule. Poland has its own government, but the Soviet Union largely controls the country’s politics and economy. The communist leaders insist people support their ideas and policies; anyone who speaks out against them is imprisoned, exiled, or executed. Under the communist system, the government takes over Poland’s industries and large farms. The country’s economy weakens.

Prices for food rise rapidly — much faster than people’s wages. By 1980, Poland’s economy is in crisis. That year, the government lays off many workers, cuts wages, and again increases food prices. Polish people can take no more. On 14 August 1980, workers at a shipyard in the city of Gdańsk stop working.

They hold an illegal strike to protest against the government. Leading the strike is an outspoken electrician, Lech Wałęsa. The strikers demand several changes in Poland, including freedom of expression and the release of political prisoners. Above all, they want the right to organise their own trade unions, separate from the communist government, to represent the interests of workers. The strikers refuse to leave the shipyard until their demands are met.

News of their struggle spreads. More workers at shipyards, mines and factories across Poland join the strike. Eventually, the government gives in. On 31 August, it signs an agreement with the workers that includes the right to form trade unions and to strike. This is a huge victory for Poland’s workers, but their struggle is just beginning.

Workers’ groups across the country come together to form a single national trade union called Solidarity. Solidarity holds more peaceful strikes and street marches, demanding affordable food alongside justice, democracy, and freedom of belief. Within a few months, Solidarity’s membership reaches 10 million — 80 percent of Poland’s workforce. The trade union has become a powerful social movement. Leaders in the Soviet Union keep a close watch as the situation unfolds.

They do not like what they see. In December 1980, the Soviets gather troops at the Polish border. They install a new prime minister in Poland, General Wojciech Jaruzelski, and instruct him not to give in to any more of Solidarity’s demands. If he does, they warn, Soviet troops will enter the country. Perhaps to save Poland from Soviet invasion, or perhaps simply to crush anti-communist rebellion, Jaruzelski makes a dramatic decision.

On 13 December 1981, a year after taking office, he declares martial law, giving the military special powers to control everyday life. Immediately, soldiers and tanks start patrolling the streets. The media is taken over by the government. Schools and universities are closed. Solidarity is banned.

Five thousand Solidarity members are arrested, including Wałęsa. Anyone continuing to strike or march is shot. When news of the situation in Poland reaches the rest of the world, Solidarity gains international support. The United States wants to help the movement as part of its ongoing efforts to gain victory over the Soviet Union in the Cold War. It secretly supplies Solidarity with printing presses and radio equipment so the movement can get its messages out.

It also limits trade with Poland to punish the communist government. Under the growing international pressure, Jaruzelski lifts martial law on 22 July 1983. However, new temporary laws mean the government keeps its tight grip on political and economic life. Five years later, Jaruzelski finally approves negotiations between the government and the outlawed Solidarity. These talks lead to Solidarity being legalised again and to Poland’s first free elections since communist rule began.