Resistance to Soviet control in the Satellite States

Poland and Hungary 1956, The Prague Spring 1968, Polish Solidarity 1980-81

What were the main causes of the Poznan Rising in Poland 1956?

• New liberal approach of Khrushchev - His secret speech denouncing Stalin, recognising that there were different paths to socialism; easing relations between the USSR and Tito, announcing that the path of socialist development differs in various countries

• Protests over low pay, then spreading to calls for wider political reform, as in Berlin (1953)

• The Stalinist Polish Communist leader, Beriut died, which sparked calls for greater liberalisation in Poland

What were the main events of the Poznan Rising? What did demonstrators demand? How did the Polish government respond?

• Large demonstrations in June 1956 turned into anti-government protests, with protestors demanding bread, liberty and freedom for the Roman Catholic Church and above all, an end to Soviet domination

• The Polish government sent in tanks to put down the strikers and 74 workers were killed and 300 injured

• Discontent spread and there were strong calls for polish nationalist and moderate communist Gomulka to be given power

Events of the Poznan Rising - How did Khrushchev respond to Gomulka’s reform package and wish for Poland to follow their own path for socialism?

Khrushchev tried to force Gomulka to back down but he eventually relented and agreed that Gomulka should become the leader of the Polish Communist Party in order to try and stop the unrest. Some economic reforms were permitted on the condition that Poland remained committed to the Warsaw Pact - collectivisation was halted and working conditions and pay were improved.

How did the events in Poznan appear to mark a significant change in the attitude of the Soviets to the satellite states?

• It was the Polish Communists, not the USSR that used troops and force — different from actions in Berlin and later in Hungary

• The fact that reforms were allowed and Poland were allowed to follow their own path of socialism to some degree highlights that under Khrushchev, the USSR’s iron grip on its satellite states had loosened

• Crucially, though, Gomulka remained loyal and did not push the USSR too far, with the Communist Party still firmly in control and still adopting a pro-Soviet policy

• Can be seen to influence the uprising in Hungary - the fact that the USSR allowed small reforms and didn’t respond with force themselves may have made uprisings elsewhere more feasible

Hungarian Uprising 1956 - How did the Hungarian Uprising pose a greater threat to Soviet authority than that in Poznan?

Poland had acknowledged the primacy of the USSR while Hungarians threatened the supremacy of communist control, looking to become neutral and sever ties with the USSR as opposed to following its own brand of communism, as in Poland. There was a fear in the Kremlin that were the Hungarian Uprising to succeed, it would encourage similar revolts across Eastern Europe

Events of the Hungarian Uprising 1956 - What events provoked demands for reform in Hungary? What was Nagy and Hungarian protestors demanding?

After Khrushchev’s secret speech, there were riots in Hungary demanding change and reform. The USSR agreed to remove hard-liner Rakosi and put Nagy in charge of Hungary - he proposed reforms such as leaving the Warsaw Pact and allowing free elections in Hungary. The US offered $20 million of aid to Nagy’s government to encourage him. Their demands included the withdrawal of Soviet troops, multi-party elections, and freedom of speech and press.

Events of the Hungarian Uprising 1956 - How did the USSR respond to the uprising?

Initially, upon assurance from Nagy that he could control the uprising, Khrushchev withdrew troops from Budapest, after which Nagy announced a withdrawal from the Warsaw Pact, the abolition of the Hungarian secret police, and moves towards multi-party elections. Fearing the collapse of communism in Hungary, Khrushchev ordered 15,000 tanks and 200,000 troops into Hungary. Nagy was arrested and a week later, the revolt was crushed.

What was the outcome of the uprising? What happened to Nagy? How many Hungarians were killed or fled?

Kadar replaced Nagy as Premier and his new government reimposed centralised one-party control, arresting 35,000 protestors and executing 300 leaders of the uprising. 3000 Hungarians were killed and 200,000 fled to Austria. Nagy was executed.

What was the significance of the Hungarian Uprising 1956?

Showed that where the supremacy of communism was threatened, there would be a brutal crackdown and suppression, further illustrating that the USSR remained prepared to use extreme force to ensure that the buffer zone of satellite states —- clearly the new reforms and peaceful coexistence policy of the USSR did not allow for resistance from the Satellite states. It also revealed the extent of Soviet oppression in Europe - Poland had wanted reform to their way of communism, but Hungary wanted to dispose of communism and any Soviet influence altogether.

How significant was the role of the West in the failure of the Hungarian Uprising?

The US supplied $20 million aid to Nagy’s government as he attempted to dispose of communist control. However, when Nagy appealed directly to Western powers, the USA and NATO did very little to assist them, largely because the US did not want to risk a wider war with the Soviets over Hungary — significant because it showed Soviet leadership that they could use force to control their satellite states and the West would not intervene. Meant that to revolt, satellite states relied only on their own armed forced to combat the might of the Red Army, meaning it was effectively impossible to resist.

Briefly describe 3 main impacts of the Hungarian Crisis on the Cold War?

• That any threat to communism or the USSR to be crushed by force

• Reveals limits to de-stalinisation and peaceful co-existence — wouldn’t risk losing control of the satellite states

• Lack of intervention from the West — unwilling to threaten a wider war over Satellite states

The Prague Spring 1968 - What were the main causes of the Prague Spring and the Soviet reaction?

• Repressive regime of Novotny (President until 1968)

• April 1968 - New leader of the Czechoslovak Communists, Dubcek, embarked on a series of reforms, which were dubbed ‘socialism with a human face’ - it promised freedom of speech and the press and moves towards a multi-party democracy as well as hopes for a form of market economy — the party to lead by consent and not by force

• The Soviets felt they couldn’t allow anti-Soviet propaganda and publications to spread and could not allow border of the West to come right up to the Soviet border. There were also worries that the reforms would lead to protests in other countries.

Events of the Prague Spring - How did the Soviets and Eastern European States initially respond to the Prague Spring?

The leadership of Bulgaria, East Germany, Hungary, Poland and the USSR met and issued the Warsaw Letter — they accepted the Czechoslovak right to self-determination but also argued that challenges to socialism in one country were a threat to the entire socialist movement

Events of the Prague Spring - How did the USSR and Eastern European states respond when Dubcek carried on with his reforms?

August 1968 - Soviet Politburo decided to solve the problem by force - Soviet and Warsaw armies burst through Czechoslovak frontiers and seized Prague Airport. Dubcek ordered a policy of passive resistance and the Czechoslovak armed forces were immediately surrounded by their Warsaw Pact allies. Around 70 civilians were killed and around 70,000 fled the country.
The Soviets initially allowed Dubcek to remain in office but by the following year, he was replaced by hard-line Husak, who reversed the reforms of the Prague Spring. Many Czechoslovak leaders made prisoners - under protection in the name of the Warsaw Pact.

Consequences of the Prague Spring - What was the reaction to repression in Czechoslovakia?

The population were bewildered and surprised; shots were fired and drove through crowds; though Soviets were allies, now army of ½ million sent in by Soviets to suppress drive for more freedom — ending the attempt to make socialism more democratic forcefully

Consequences of the Prague Spring - What was the Brezhnev Doctrine? What was its impact on the Cold War?

A policy issued by Brezhnev in November 1968, following the crushing of the Prague Spring and the reversal of Dubcek’s reform. The doctrine stated that the USSR had the right to intervene in the domestic affairs of Europe and if necessary, force would be used, when the interests of world socialism were threatened. It stayed in place until the rise to power of Gorbachev in the mid-1980s.
It reasserted a commitment to Soviet dominance over the Satellite states and demonstrated that the USSR was prepared to assert military control and go to war to defend communism.

Consequences of the Prague Spring - What was the significance of the Prague Spring in undermining the USSR?

While the USSR were able to easily crush the reforms, it revealed the unpopularity of the USSR within the communist nations, the divisions within communism itself and the weaking position and influence of the USSR. It showed the unpopularity of the USSR as the Soviets were unable to find anyone in the Czech leaderhsip who were reliable allies and so had to keep Dubcek in power.

What was the response of the West to the Soviet invasion?

The West condemned the invasion but NATO did not feel threatened and the West couldn’t risk widening the conflict by coming to the aid of the Czechoslovaks.

What was the response of the East to the Soviet invasion?

Romania refused to send any troops and condemned the invasion; Albania withdrew from the Warsaw Pact completely, calling it a socialist-imperialist attack.

What were three main impacts of the Prague Spring on the Cold War?

• Put into legislation the idea that any reform would be crushed by force

• Revealed unpopularity of the USSR within communist nations, divisions within communism, weakening position of the USSR

• Reaction to threat from USSR created tnesions with the West - forceful oppression versus rights and democracy of the West

Polish Solidarity 1980-81 - What were the main causes of the Solidarity movement? How was Solidarity formed?

• Severe economic crisis in 1980 - rising cost of oil and a recession in the West, which squandered Western loans

• Brezhnev - economic stagnation - economic growth declined from 9.8 in 1975 to 1.2 in 1980 - lack of money, weak economy, constant shortages of food and resources - a desperation for reform

• Between 1975 and 1980, debt in Poland increased from 7,700 to 23,400

• The government raised food prices by up to 100% and in response, shipyard workers in Gdansk went on strike, drawing up a 21-point list of demands, refusing to leave the shipyard until they were met — they were soon joined by thousands of other workers and formed themselves into an independent trade union, Solidarity

Course of Polish Solidarity - What were its demands? What were its strengths? How did it pressure the government?

Solidarity began as an economic protest, but quickly became demands for sweeping political concessions.
The government eventually recognised the trade union - the first to be recognised in a Warsaw Pact country. Membership grew to 8 million, forcing the government to agree to wage increases. Solidarity became a significant political force, with strikes taking place throughout the country demanding reform.

Course of Polish Solidarity - How did the USSR and the Warsaw Pact countries react?

They were alarmed at the increasing defiance of Solidarity but feared armed resistance if they intervened and instead put pressure on the Poles to stop the ‘anti-socialist forces.’ By December 1980, the Warsaw Pact forces had gathered around Poland’s borders, attempting to exert pressure on the Polish government to restore order.

How did the West support the Solidarity movement?

There was extensive press coverage of Solidarity in Western media and the US provided covert assistance, giving communication equipment, printing presses, radio equipment. Through the CIA and third parties, the US transferred around $2 million yearly to the movement. American’s more hard-line approach with the Reagan Administration that promised tougher policies against Moscow also boosted morale in Poland.

Consequences/Significance of Solidarity - How significant was the large membership of Solidarity?

Membership grew to 8 million, becoming the largest independent trade union in the world — clear demonstration of the discontent of millions under Soviet control and pro-Soviet communism, highlighting the oppression of the USSR. It showed a strong resistance to communism and the Soviets until intervention, exposing the restrictions of the communist system.

Consequences of Polish Solidarity - How did the appointment of General Jaruzelski as first secretary of the Polish Workers’ Party weaken the Solidarity movement?

• Encouraged force to be used to crush strikes - Firemen’s strike crushed in Dec. 1981, warning solidarity that the authorities were ready to use force

• Jaruzelski imposed martial law in December 1981, with the Polish Army sent in banning gatherings, imposing curfews, and the leaders of Solidarity were arrested, as well as censorship of all media

• Though the union was later banned, it had become such a large and effective force that it simply went underground, managing to survive until 1990, when Lech Walesa (leader of Solidarity) was elected as Polish President as communism collapsed

Consequences of Polish Solidarity - Despite being banned, in what ways did Polish Solidarity remain significant?

After it was formally banned in 1982, it continued as an underground opposition movement known as the Temporary Co-ordinating Committee — shows the strength of solidarity, still able to exist despite Soviet opposition, with it strength and influence stretching far beyond Poland and influencing the landscape of the Cold War, with millions in opposition to the USSR’s policies.

Consequences of Polish Solidarity - How did the suppression of Solidarity and martial law affect East-West relations?

The replacement of civilian government with military rule fractured East-West relations as it suspended basic civil rights, significantly undermining the Helsinki Declaration. In response to the crushing of Solidarity, the US imposed economic sanctions against the Polish government and vetoed Poland’s application for the International Monetary Fund (IMF).