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Solidarity Movement Founded
The Solidarity Movement emerged on August 31, 1980, amid the Gdansk Shipyard Strike of 1980. It was an anti-communist trade union that rapidly gained support in Poland. "The Story of the Solidarity Movement." Gdansk Life. N.p., 2012. Web. 11 May 2012. . " Image courtesy:
"Aug 17 Commemorates Anniversary of Poland's Solidarity Movement." Aug 17 Commemorates Anniversary of Poland's Solidarity Movement. Web. 05 June 2012. http://digitaljournal.com/article/296196. -
Solidarity Delegalized
In October of 1982, Solidarity was delegalized and banned."The Story of the Solidarity Movement." Gdansk Life. N.p., 2012. Web. 11 May 2012. Image courtesy:
"Durruti, Buenaventura, 1896-1936." Libcom.org. Web. 05 June 2012. http://libcom.org/history/durruti-buenaventura-1896-1936. -
Martial Law Declared in Poland
Martial Law was Declared in Poland, the entire country was under military rule."The Story of the Solidarity Movement." Gdansk Life. N.p., 2012. Web. 11 May 2012. . Image courtesy:
Żołnierkiewicz, J. "T-55A on the Streets during Martial Law in Poland." Web. http://www.solidarnosc.gov.pl/index.php?document=48. -
Martial Law lifted In Poland
On July 22, 1983, martial law was lifted, yet many restrictions on civil liberties and political life remained, as well as food rationing which would continue until the late 80s. (RFERL). Image courtesy:
"APPLE TEA: The Marital Law in Poland." APPLE TEA: The Marital Law in Poland. Web. 05 June 2012. http://theappletea.blogspot.com/2010/12/marital-law-in-poland.html. -
Government Announces Talks with Solidarity
Finally on August 26, the government announced it was ready to negotiate with Solidarity and met with Walesa, who incredulously agreed to call an end to the strikes. In preparation for an official negotiating conference with the government, a hundred-member committee was formed within Solidarity, composed of many sections, each of which was responsible for presenting specific demands to the government at the forthcoming talks. (Open Democracy).
Image courtesy:
Newstalgia.com -
Solidarity Movement Given Peaceful Governmental Control
On August 19, President Jaruzelski asked journalist/Solidarity activist Tadeusz Mazowiecki to form a government. Image courtesy:
"Wojciech Jaruzelski, Former President of Poland." Euronews. Web. 05 June 2012. http://www.euronews.com/2009/11/02/when-the-berlin-wall-fell-wojciech-jaruzelski/. -
Solidarity Given Peaceful Governmental Control
On August 19, President Jaruzelski asked journalist/Solidarity activist Tadeusz Mazowiecki to form a government, based in a parliamentary system of government similar to the United Kingdom, where the majority coalition or party forms the cabinet. (Soviethistory). Image courtesy:
"A More Honest Look at Nonviolent Success Stories / Waging Nonviolence - People-Powered News and Analysis." Waging Nonviolence. Web. 05 June 2012. http://wagingnonviolence.org -
Poland Ruled by Non-Communists
September 12, the Sejm (Polish Congress) voted approval of Prime Minister Mazowiecki and his cabinet. For the first time in more than 40 years, Poland had a government led by non-communists. (RFERL). Image courtesy:
"Tadeusz Mazowiecki Celebrates His 85th Birthday - Events." Tadeusz Mazowiecki Celebrates His 85th Birthday - Events. Web. 05 June 2012. http://en.poland.gov.pl/Tadeusz,Mazowiecki,celebrates,his,85th,birthday,Events,7072x2019.html. -
"Shock Therapy" Economics Transform Polish Economy
A "shock therapy" program during the early 1990s enabled the country to transform its economy into one of the most robust in Central Europe. This was done by rapidly changing Polish economics from a control economy to a market based capitalist economy. (Gdnask Life). Image courtesy:
"Shock Therapy Gifts." Shock Therapy Gifts. Web. 05 June 2012. http://www.cartoonstock.com/directory/s/shock_therapy_gifts.asp. -
Spread of anti-communist revolutions
In Decermber 1990, elections in poland saw a string of victories for anti-communist candidates. This set off a chain reaction of peaceful anti-communist revolutions. By December 1991, the USSR had ceased to exist. (Soviethistory). Image courtesy:
"Vaclav Havel, Hero of Anti-communist Revolution, Dies." Havel, Hero of Anti-communist Revolution, Dies. Web. 05 June 2012. http://www.freedomsphoenix.com/News/101576-2011-12-18-vaclav-havel-hero-of-anti-communist-revolution-dies.htm?EdNo=001. -
Poland invited to join NATO
Poland, the Czech Republic, and Hungary were each invited to join NATO in 1997. Each country joined two years later, in 1999. (CIA Factbook). Image courtesy:
"Review of the Role of the Polish American Congress in
Bringing Poland into NATO." History of PAC's Role in NATO Enlargement. Web. 05 June 2012. http://www.pac1944.org/history/history-nato.htm.
