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Poland
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Poland is liberated by the Allies shortly after D-day in June 1944. The Soviet government sponsers the formation of the Polish Committee of National Liberation. This organisation is largely dominated by Communists. The committee proclaims itself the provisional government of Poland in December 1944.
The Polish Government of National Unity is established. It is recognised by the British and the United States government under the condition that the Soviets will ensure a free election.
The Communist-Socialist coalition in Poland wins more than 85% of the votes in the Parliamentary elections.
The Polish Communist Party conducts an internal purging of its members, getting rid of anyone suspected of defying any of the Soviet Union's actions.
The Socialist and Communist parties come together to form the Polish United Workers Party. In this party, the pro-Stalin Communists are a dominant force. Leaders try to implement economic and agricultural policies that are in line with the economic and social system of the Soviet Union.
After the death of Stalin in 1953, the Polish intelligentsia demand government reforms. A demonstration is staged in June 1956. As a result of the uprising, 53 people lose their lives and several hundred are wounded.
Relations with the West improve following US President Richard Nixon's visit to Poland.
The Solidarity Union is formed in Poland. They call for the right to organise independent trade unions.
Read up more about the
Solidarity Movement
in Poland.
Lech Walesa, leader of the Solidarity Union leads Polish workers in a strike for a 5-day workweek.
Here's a write-up on
Lech Walsea
by the Nobel Foundation site.
General Wojciech becomes the head of the Polish Communist Party in October. In order to quell the social unrest stirred up by the Solidarity Union, the union is disbanded and the leader, Lech Walesa is imprisoned. Martial law is also imposed. It lasts till July 21st, 1983.
Pictures
of the events leading up to Martial Law.
After Gorbachev becomes leader of the Soviet Union in 1985, reforms become possible in Poland. The Solidarity Union is revived. In the 1989 elections, Solidarity wins 99 of the 100 Senate seats. The Communist party in Poland admits defeat.
Tadeusz Mazowiecki becomes Poland's first non-Communist premier in more than 40 years. He dismantles the Communist system and brings the country into democracy.
Post-Communist Poland suffers from a confused, unstable, and conflict-ridden political process. Between 1991 and 1993 Poland is governed by a succession of short-lived parliamentary coalitions. Final Soviet withdrawal of troops takes place in August 1993. In March 1999 Poland joins the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
Posters
from Communist Poland.
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