Question

Write a brief note on the political conditions prevailing in Poland in 1970s and 1980s.

Answer 1

1) Poland was administrated by Polish United Workers’ Party where no other party existed.
2) On 14 August 1980, there was a strike in the city of Gdansk. Lech Walesa, who was dismissed from service in 1976, emerged as the leader of the workers.
3) The movement became widespread that the government agreed to grant the workers’ right to form independent trade unions and accepted their right to strike.
4) The workers led by Walesa endorsed a 21-point agreement and after that Gdansk agreement was signed, a new trade union called Solidarity was formed.
5) The government was anxious and General Jaruzelski enforced military law in 1981.
6) Hence another set of strikes was started by Solidarity in 1988.
7) The economy was stagnant, and an agreement in April 1989 for free elections was signed.
8) In October 1990, Poland had its first presidential elections where Walesa was elected President.