Collapse of Communism in Poland

Action: Edward Gierek became First Secretary of the Polish United Workers’ Party (PZPR). He promised economic reforms and better living standards.

Outcome: Initially, borrowing from the West raised expectations of growth, but reliance on foreign credit created long-term debt problems. The decision to link Poland’s future to Western loans laid the foundations for later economic crisis.

1970

Context: Gierek’s Western borrowing aimed to modernise Poland’s economy. However, inefficient state industries, corruption, and the command economy limited productivity. The 1973 oil crisis and 1979 oil shock worsened matters.

Action: Poland accumulated massive loans (US$27 billion by 1981). Imports of modern machinery often went unused due to lack of compatible infrastructure. Natural disasters (bad harvests, floods, frosts) hit agriculture, creating food shortages.

Outcome: By late 1970s, Poland faced high inflation, food rationing, black markets, and declining living standards compared to West Germany. The economic gap fuelled social discontent and eroded the legitimacy of the PZPR

1970s

Context: The election of a Polish Pope in 1978 gave Polish Catholics immense pride and morale. The Pope symbolised a moral alternative to communism.

Action: On his visit to Poland, Pope John Paul II addressed 3.5 million Poles, encouraging them to “not be afraid” and stand for dignity and rights.

Outcome: The visit emboldened civil resistance and gave spiritual legitimacy to opposition movements. The Catholic Church became a central actor in Poland’s struggle against communism.

June 1979

Context: The Gierek government raised food prices to reduce subsidies and stimulate production. This coincided with worsening shortages and inflation (30% by 1981).

Action: Workers at the Lenin Shipyard in Gdansk went on strike in August 1980, led by Lech Wałęsa. Their demands expanded from wages to freedom of expression, religion, and independent unions.

Outcome: The Gdansk Agreement (31 August 1980) granted concessions: wage increases, legal right to strike, and recognition of an independent trade union—Solidarity.

July- August 1980

Context: After the Gdansk Agreement, Solidarity emerged as a nationwide social movement. It enrolled 10 million members, including one-third of PZPR members.

Action: Solidarity pressed for deeper reforms through negotiations, strikes, publications, and broadcasts. “Rural Solidarity” (1981) added farmers’ support.

Outcome: Solidarity became the first independent mass movement in the Soviet bloc, directly challenging communist monopoly. This alarmed Moscow and Polish hardliners.

1980-1981

Context: The Soviet leadership worried about Solidarity’s influence, fearing contagion to the USSR’s western regions. Polish leaders feared losing control.

Action: General Wojciech Jaruzelski imposed martial law on 13 December 1981, banned Solidarity, and arrested leaders.

Outcome: While protests were crushed, Solidarity survived underground with support from the Catholic Church. Martial law weakened the PZPR’s legitimacy and failed to solve the economic crisis.

Dec 1981

Context: Catholic priests openly supported Solidarity. Father Popiełuszko, in particular, became a powerful voice for workers.

Action: Secret police kidnapped and murdered him.

Outcome: His death outraged the public, strengthened the Church–Solidarity alliance, and further delegitimised the communist regime.

Oct 1984

Context: Under Gorbachev’s Perestroika and Glasnost, the USSR signalled an end to military interventions and subsidies. In 1986, Gorbachev declared Eastern Europe could “no longer be carried on our back.”

Action: In 1988, strikes erupted again as inflation hit 50% and foreign debt rose to US$39 billion. Jaruzelski’s government failed to stabilise the economy despite reforms. Gorbachev, during his 1988 visit to Poland, encouraged reforms and refused to interfere.

Outcome: With Moscow withholding support, the PZPR had to negotiate directly with Solidarity, paving the way for systemic change

1985-1988

Context: Continued strikes, economic collapse, and public unrest made compromise unavoidable.

Action: Secret meetings in 1988 led to formal Round Table Talks in early 1989 between Solidarity and the government. Agreements legalised Solidarity, created a new presidency, and allowed partially free elections.

Outcome: Jaruzelski believed communists would retain control, but the arrangements opened space for political pluralism.

1988-1989

Context: Elections allowed Solidarity to compete for 35% of Sejm seats and all Senate seats.

Action: Solidarity won 99 out of 100 Senate seats and all contested Sejm seats.

Outcome: Communist monopoly collapsed. Jaruzelski was narrowly elected president, but Solidarity formed a coalition government.

June 1989

Context: Following the election, it was impossible to maintain communist dominance.

Action: In August, Tadeusz Mazowiecki, a Solidarity leader, became Prime Minister—the first non-communist head of government in the Soviet bloc. In December, parliament removed the PZPR’s leading role.

Outcome: By January 1990, the PZPR dissolved itself. Poland had transitioned from communism to a democratic government.

Aug-Dec 1989