Solidarity movement

Definition

The solidarity movement was a social and political movement in Poland during the 1980s that aimed to challenge the communist government and promote democratic reforms. It united various social groups, including workers, intellectuals, and clergy, advocating for workers' rights, freedom of speech, and the end of political repression. This grassroots movement played a critical role in the broader struggle against communism in Eastern Europe, contributing significantly to the end of the Cold War and the eventual fall of the Soviet Union.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Solidarity movement began in August 1980 at the Gdańsk Shipyard when workers went on strike, leading to significant concessions from the communist government.
2. Solidarity quickly grew from a trade union into a broader social movement, advocating for civil rights and political freedoms beyond just labor issues.
3. The movement faced severe repression, including martial law declared in Poland from December 1981 to July 1983, but it continued to operate underground.
4. In 1989, Solidarity won a historic victory in partially free elections, leading to the formation of Poland's first non-communist government in over 40 years.
5. The success of Solidarity inspired similar movements across Eastern Europe, contributing to the wave of revolutions that ultimately led to the fall of the Soviet Union.

Review Questions

• How did the Solidarity movement influence social changes within Poland during the 1980s?
  • The Solidarity movement significantly influenced social changes by uniting various groups in Polish society—workers, intellectuals, and religious leaders—around common goals of democracy and human rights. It mobilized mass protests and strikes that put pressure on the communist government, forcing it to make concessions regarding workers' rights and freedom of expression. This unity and activism laid the groundwork for broader societal acceptance of democratic ideals and set the stage for future political transformations in Poland.
• Evaluate the role of Lech Wałęsa in leading the Solidarity movement and how his leadership impacted its success.
  • Lech Wałęsa was instrumental as a leader of the Solidarity movement, providing direction and vision that helped unify disparate groups against a common adversary: the communist regime. His charisma and ability to articulate the aspirations of ordinary Poles garnered national and international support. Wałęsa’s leadership during critical moments—such as strikes at Gdańsk Shipyard—was vital in maintaining momentum for the movement despite periods of intense repression. His eventual rise to presidency symbolized not just personal achievement but also the triumph of Solidarity's goals.
• Analyze how the events surrounding the Solidarity movement contributed to broader geopolitical changes in Eastern Europe and beyond.
  • The events surrounding the Solidarity movement acted as a catalyst for broader geopolitical changes by inspiring similar movements across Eastern Europe, ultimately leading to a wave of revolutions against communist regimes. The resilience shown by Polish citizens demonstrated that organized collective action could effectively challenge authoritarian rule. As Solidarity achieved its goals in 1989, it influenced reforms like Gorbachev's Perestroika within the Soviet Union, contributing to a domino effect that resulted in decreased Soviet control over Eastern Europe and ultimately facilitated the end of the Cold War.

Related terms

Lech Wałęsa: A Polish politician and human rights activist who co-founded the Solidarity movement and later became the first democratically elected president of Poland after the fall of communism.

Gdańsk Shipyard: The location where the Solidarity movement began in 1980 when workers went on strike for better conditions, leading to the establishment of the first independent trade union in a Soviet-bloc country.

Perestroika: A political movement initiated by Mikhail Gorbachev in the Soviet Union aimed at reforming the economy and political structure, which indirectly supported movements like Solidarity across Eastern Europe.