DOCSLIB.ORG

A Synthetic Analysis of the Polish Solidarity Movement Stephen W

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
A Synthetic Analysis of the Polish Solidarity Movement Stephen W Marshall University Marshall Digital Scholar Theses, Dissertations and Capstones 1-1-2011 A Synthetic Analysis of the Polish Solidarity Movement Stephen W. Mays [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: http://mds.marshall.edu/etd Part of the Other Political Science Commons, and the Politics and Social Change Commons Recommended Citation Mays, Stephen W., "A Synthetic Analysis of the Polish Solidarity Movement" (2011). Theses, Dissertations and Capstones. Paper 73. This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by Marshall Digital Scholar. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses, Dissertations and Capstones by an authorized administrator of Marshall Digital Scholar. For more information, please contact [email protected]. A SYNTHETIC ANALYSIS OF THE POLISH SOLIDARITY MOVEMENT A thesis submitted to the Graduate College of Marshall University In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts Sociology by Stephen W. Mays Approved by Dr. Richard Garnett, Committee Chairman Dr. Marty Laubach Dr. Brian Hoey Marshall University Huntington, West Virginia December 2011 Table Of Contents Page Acknowledgements ................................................................................ iii Abstract .................................................................................................. v Chapter I. Introduction ................................................................................... 1 II. Methodology ................................................................................... 7 III. Historical Background ................................................................ 11 IV. Theoretical Background .............................................................. 52 V. Literature Review .......................................................................... 78 VI. Elaboration On The Proposed Factors ...................................... 87 VII. Conclusion .................................................................................. 210 Sources .................................................................................................... 215 Appendix 21 Demands Document ........................................................................ 223 Consent Form (English) ...................................................................... 225 Consent Form (Polish) ......................................................................... 229 Questionnaire (English) ....................................................................... 233 Questionnaire (Polish) ......................................................................... 238 Photos: Ethnographic Fieldwork in Gdansk ...................................... 242 ii Acknowledgements The completion of this thesis is due to a great amount of support, cooperation, assistance, and advice from many people. First I would like to thank my thesis committee chairman, Dr. Richard Garnett, for many hours of patient consultation and advising concerning every aspect of this project from start to finish. I would also like to express my thanks to Dr. Garnett for giving me a sound background in sociological theory from an historical perspective, which is, I believe, the very heart of the discipline of sociology. I want to thank thesis committee member, Dr. Marty Laubach, not only for his advice, encouragement, and support, but also for instructing me on the the sociological significance of work and religion in everyday life. Dr. Laubach's dedication to scientifically investigating these most basic sociological constructs was an inspiration that sustained my own work on this project. This thesis relies heavily on analysis of work and religion in the lives of my interviewees. My appreciation and thanks are also extended to thesis committee member, Dr. Brian Hoey, for the very practical training and experience he afforded me concerning personal interview techniques, oral history analysis, and basic ethnographic methods. These skills, the "nuts and bolts" of data collection for this thesis, were used as Dr. Hoey always recommended - with the upmost attention to the humanity and dignity of the interviewees. I thank Dr. Barbara Wejnert, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, for recommending many of the secondary sources used in this thesis, for sharing with me a profound personal insight into pro-democratic processes in Eastern Europe and the former USSR, and for advice concerning the content of the interview questions I used in this project. iii I also want to thank Mr. Andrzej Falkowski and Ms. Marta Rutkowska of Gdansk, Poland, for their invaluable assistance in arranging interviews within Stocznia Gadanska (the old Lenin Shipyard where Solidarity began) and with active members of Centrum Solidarnosci. This experience afforded me a glimpse of living history with great sociological significance. I am greatly indebted to Dr. Paula Gorszczynska, Ms. Marta Skibinska, and Ms. Aleksandra Kristiansen, all of Uniwersytet Gadanski, (The University of Gdansk), Gdansk Centre For Translation Studies. Their patience and meticulous attention to translation details is a credit to the academic craft they practice. I thank them also for enduring many hours of sub-zero wind and foot-deep snow along the Baltic Coast in late December; theirs was not an easy job for a Christmas break. The huge amount of interview data collected with their help will certainly extend into a second thesis project. Finally, I want to acknowledge and thank the people of Gdansk and members (current and former) of Solidarnosc who shared with me their life stories. As Marx said, "Men (and I'll add women too) make their own history, but they do not make it just as they please...but under circumstances directly encountered, given and transmitted from the past." Few people realize more vividly and more concretely the gravity of this saying than Poland's post WWII generation. As Marx "turned Hegel on his head," the Solidarity generation, "turned history on it head." This thesis tells a very small part of their story. iv Abstract The aim of this study is to arrive at a holistic understanding of how and why the Polish Solidarity Movement succeeded, against great odds, within a regime hostile to its existence. From this movement emerged Solidarnosc, the first independent labor union in the Communist Bloc. Solidarnosc evolved into a political party that succeeded in replacing the Communist Party in Poland. Seven factors are elaborated on, each contended to have facilitated Solidarnosc's success. Some factors occurred naturally (such as the structural conduciveness of Poland's industrially- based economy), some occurred fortunately (such as the political opportunity afforded by Mikhail Gorbachev's liberalizing policies), and some were deliberately constructed (such as use of samizdat communications in mobilizing the movement). This study is a synthesis of these various facilitating factors. Ethnographic description is also part of the explanation, as is inclusion of eclectic factors that do not "pigeon-hole" well into conventional social movement theory compartments. v Chapter One Introduction This study is a synthetic analysis of the Polish Revolution during the 1980s. The central problems to be addressed are explaining how the labor union, Solidarnosc, was able to initially emerge, survive illegally for seven years within a regime hostile to its existence, and eventually succeed in displacing the regime. Solidarnosc was much more than a labor union. Some analysts, such as Kubik (1994: 2), taking a very holistic approach, consider it part of broader sociological construct known as, "the Solidarity culture." For the purposes of this paper, it will be considered in terms of how it functioned as a social movement organization and acted as a central hub for a broader, overall social movement. This movement's ultimate goals were the restructuring of the social and economic order of Poland through democratization and restoration of human rights. This goal was eventually achieved; a domino-like effect then began with Poland as its source, and within two years of its realization most of Eastern Europe was democratized and the Soviet Union ceased to exist. These rapid and monumental changes altered the course of world history by displacing the authoritarian control of the Soviet Union and a system of closed socialist economies with (generally) democratic governments and capitalist economies. This restructuring directly affected perhaps one-third of the world's population and contributed to the emergence of the current global capitalist system. Although many other factors and forces converged to create the conditions necessary for this gigantic socioeconomic shift, it can be argued that the persistent collective actions of Solidarnosc and the Polish Solidarity Movement were indispensible elements in the process. 1 Three major theoretical perspectives are generally used in explaining the workings of social movements: resource mobilization theory, political opportunity theory, and issue framing theory. A synthetic analysis combines elements of these three perspectives in an effort to explain the complexities of social movements in light of material/economic realities, political/historic factors, and ideological/cultural presentation and manipulation of issues. However, this study, while considering the above mentioned perspectives, will also make reference to the older "collective behavior" perspective with emphasis on structural conduciveness and shared
Load more

Recommended publications
  • COM(82)374 Final Brussels - 22 June 1982
    ARCHIVES HISTORIQUES DE LA COMMISSION COLLECTION RELIEE DES DOCUMENTS "COM" COM (82) 374 Vol. 1982/0130 Disclaimer Conformément au règlement (CEE, Euratom) n° 354/83 du Conseil du 1er février 1983 concernant l'ouverture au public des archives historiques de la Communauté économique européenne et de la Communauté européenne de l'énergie atomique (JO L 43 du 15.2.1983, p. 1), tel que modifié par le règlement (CE, Euratom) n° 1700/2003 du 22 septembre 2003 (JO L 243 du 27.9.2003, p. 1), ce dossier est ouvert au public. Le cas échéant, les documents classifiés présents dans ce dossier ont été déclassifiés conformément à l'article 5 dudit règlement. In accordance with Council Regulation (EEC, Euratom) No 354/83 of 1 February 1983 concerning the opening to the public of the historical archives of the European Economic Community and the European Atomic Energy Community (OJ L 43, 15.2.1983, p. 1), as amended by Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1700/2003 of 22 September 2003 (OJ L 243, 27.9.2003, p. 1), this file is open to the public. Where necessary, classified documents in this file have been declassified in conformity with Article 5 of the aforementioned regulation. In Übereinstimmung mit der Verordnung (EWG, Euratom) Nr. 354/83 des Rates vom 1. Februar 1983 über die Freigabe der historischen Archive der Europäischen Wirtschaftsgemeinschaft und der Europäischen Atomgemeinschaft (ABI. L 43 vom 15.2.1983, S. 1), geändert durch die Verordnung (EG, Euratom) Nr. 1700/2003 vom 22. September 2003 (ABI. L 243 vom 27.9.2003, S.
    [Show full text]
  • GDANSK EN.Pdf
    Table of Contents 4 24 hours in Gdańsk 6 An alternative 24 hours in Gdańsk 9 The history of Gdańsk 11 Solidarity 13 Culture 15 Festivals and the most important cultural events 21 Amber 24 Gdańsk cuisine 26 Family Gdańsk 28 Shopping 30 Gdańsk by bike 32 The Art Route 35 The High Route 37 The Solidarity Route 40 The Seaside Route (cycling route) 42 The History Route 47 Young People’s Route (cycling route) 49 The Nature Route 24 hours in Gdańsk 900 Go sunbathing in Brzeźno There aren’t many cities in the world that can proudly boast such beautiful sandy beaches as Gdańsk. It’s worth coming here even if only for a while to bask in the sunlight and breathe in the precious iodine from the sea breeze. The beach is surrounded by many fish restaurants, with a long wooden pier stretching out into the sea. It is ideal for walking. 1200 Set your watch at the Lighthouse in Nowy Port The Time Sphere is lowered from the mast at the top of the historic brick lighthouse at 12:00, 14:00, 16:00 and 18:00 sharp. It used to serve ship masters to regulate their navigation instruments. Today it’s just a tourist attraction, but it’s well worth visiting; what is more, the open gallery at the top provides a splendid view of the mouth of the River Vistula and Westerplatte. 1300 Take a ride on the F5 water tram to Westerplatte and Wisłoujście Fortress Nowy Port and the environs of the old mouth of the Vistula at the Bay of Gdańsk have many attractions.
    [Show full text]
  • What Is Living in GUT Like?
    Our region, our city, our university Education and research at Gdańsk University of Technology Why here? What is living in GUT like? Projects realised and development perspectives INTERNATIONALIZATION PISMO PG 1 1 OUR REGION, OUR CITY, OUR UNIVERSITY Welcome to Gdańsk University of Technology! p. 4 GDAŃSK UNIVERSITY LANGUAGE EDITOR Pomorskie Region OF TECHNOLOGY Language Centre p. 6 PROMOTION DEPARTMENT Gabriela Narutowicza 11/12 Str. PHOTOS SOURCES Information about Gdańsk 80-233 Gdańsk Justyna Borucka p. 8 e-mail: [email protected] Katarzyna Garlee Piotr Konieczka Gdańsk University of Technology – 110 years HEAD OF EDITORIAL BOARD Krzysztof Krzempek of science and technology Prof. Jacek Mąkinia – Vice- Mariusz Matuszek p. 10 -Rector for Cooperation and Piotr Niklas Innovation Mateusz Nikodemski Krzysztof Pawlicki EDITORIAL BOARD Dariusz Świsulski EDUCATION AND RESEARCH AT GUT Paweł Zboiński 2 Justyna Borkowska Iwona Golecka Study offer at GUT ESN Archives Agata Łuniewska p. 14 Gdańsk City Hall Archives Waldemar Wardencki Gdańsk Lech Walesa Airport Archives ECTS Label ASSOCIATE EDITOR Gdańsk University p. 16 Karolina Jędrzejkowska of Technology Archives Maria Doerffer Conceive – Design – Implement – Operate ART DIRECTOR (CDIO) – new concept of learning AUTHORS Ewa Niziołkiewicz p. 16 Paweł Adamowicz Maciej Bagiński COVER DESIGN Monika Bizewska The Engineer of the Future Beata Podwojska Justyna Borucka p. 17 Monika Czerepak PRINTED Andrzej Czyżewski Doctoral studies: InterPhD and Advanced PhD Firma Poligraficzno-Introligator- Maria Doerffer p. 19 ska „Udziałowiec” Renata Downar-Zapolska www.udzialowiec.com.pl Aleksandra Dubiella-Jackowska Educational projects at GUT Andrzej Januszajtis p. 20 Ewa Jurkiewicz-Sękiewicz ISSN 1429-4494 Tomasz Klimczuk International Research Staff Exchange Ewa Kuczkowska (IRSES) Cezary Orłowski Published under the permission p.
    [Show full text]
  • Global Feminisms Comparative Case Studies of Women's
    GLOBAL FEMINISMS COMPARATIVE CASE STUDIES OF WOMEN’S ACTIVISM AND SCHOLARSHIP SITE: POLAND Transcript of Barbara Limanowska Interviewers: Sławomira Walczewska and Inga Iwasiow Location: Warszawa Date: April 28, 2005 Translated by: Kasia Kietlińska eFKa Women’s Foundation Skrytka Pocztowa 12 30-965 Krakόw 45, Poland Tel/Fax: 012/422-6973 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.efka.org.pl Acknowledgments Global Feminisms: Comparative Case Studies of Women’s Activism and Scholarship was housed at the Institute for Research on Women and Gender at the University of Michigan (UM) in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The project was co-directed by Abigail Stewart, Jayati Lal and Kristin McGuire. The China site was housed at the China Women’s University in Beijing, China and directed by Wang Jinling and Zhang Jian, in collaboration with UM faculty member Wang Zheng. The India site was housed at the Sound and Picture Archives for Research on Women (SPARROW) in Mumbai, India and directed by C.S. Lakshmi, in collaboration with UM faculty members Jayati Lal and Abigail Stewart. The Poland site was housed at Fundacja Kobiet eFKa (Women’s Foundation eFKa), Krakow, Poland and directed by Slawka Walczewska, in collaboration with UM faculty member Magdalena Zaborowska. The U.S. site was housed at the Institute for Research on Women and Gender at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan and directed by UM faculty member Elizabeth Cole. Graduate student interns on the project included Nicola Curtin, Kim Dorazio, Jana Haritatos, Helen Ho, Julianna Lee, Sumiao Li, Zakiya Luna, Leslie Marsh, Sridevi Nair, Justyna Pas, Rosa Peralta, Desdamona Rios, and Ying Zhang.
    [Show full text]
  • Federal Agencies Updating Base Year of Indexes to 1977
    Technical Note Federal agencies updating Exhibit 1 . Schedule of dates for converting base year of indexes to 1977 BLS statistical series to a base year of 1977 =100 Scheduled Along with other Federal agencies, the Bureau of Labor Statistical series completion Statistics is changing the base year used in its statistical date indexes from 1967 to 1977. The rebasing of most BLS data: establishment series will be completed by December 1981, the target Employment Aggregate weekly hour indexes . July 1981 date for conversion of all Federal index numbers Aggregate weekly payroll indexes . July 1981 adopted by the Office of Federal Statistical Policy and Average weekly earnings indexes . July 1981 Standards. The BLS Producer, Consumer, and import Federal Government hours and and export price indexes and price-related indexes (such earnings indexes . July 1981 Gross and spendable earnings as the Spendable Earnings Series) will be rebased to indexes . February 1982 1977 with the release of data for January 1982. Price data Periodic revision Consumer Price Indexes . February 1982 The base period of Federal statistical indexes is re- Import and export price indexes . February 1982 Producer Price Indexes . February 1982 vised approximately every 10 years. In announcing the latest revision, the Office of Statistical Policy and Stan- Productivity data dards noted that reference periods are changed to "fa- Compensation per hour indexes . January 1981 cilitate the visual comprehension of rates of change Output per hour indexes . January 1981 from a base period that is not too distant in time." Prices indexes . January 1981 The Office of Statistical Policy chose the year 1977 Unit labor cost indexes .
    [Show full text]
  • A Short History of Poland and Lithuania
    A Short History of Poland and Lithuania Chapter 1. The Origin of the Polish Nation.................................3 Chapter 2. The Piast Dynasty...................................................4 Chapter 3. Lithuania until the Union with Poland.........................7 Chapter 4. The Personal Union of Poland and Lithuania under the Jagiellon Dynasty. ..................................................8 Chapter 5. The Full Union of Poland and Lithuania. ................... 11 Chapter 6. The Decline of Poland-Lithuania.............................. 13 Chapter 7. The Partitions of Poland-Lithuania : The Napoleonic Interlude............................................................. 16 Chapter 8. Divided Poland-Lithuania in the 19th Century. .......... 18 Chapter 9. The Early 20th Century : The First World War and The Revival of Poland and Lithuania. ............................. 21 Chapter 10. Independent Poland and Lithuania between the bTwo World Wars.......................................................... 25 Chapter 11. The Second World War. ......................................... 28 Appendix. Some Population Statistics..................................... 33 Map 1: Early Times ......................................................... 35 Map 2: Poland Lithuania in the 15th Century........................ 36 Map 3: The Partitions of Poland-Lithuania ........................... 38 Map 4: Modern North-east Europe ..................................... 40 1 Foreword. Poland and Lithuania have been linked together in this history because
    [Show full text]
  • Implementation of the Helsinki Accords Hearings
    BASKET III: IMPLEMENTATION OF THE HELSINKI ACCORDS HEARINGS BEFORE THE COMMISSION ON SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE NINETY-SEVENTH CONGRESS FIRST SESSION THE CRISIS IN POLAND AND ITS EFFECTS ON THE HELSINKI PROCESS DECEMBER 28, 1981 Printed for the use of the - Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 9-952 0 'WASHINGTON: 1982 For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office Washington, D.C. 20402 COMMISSION ON SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE DANTE B. FASCELL, Florida, Chairman ROBERT DOLE, Kansas, Cochairman ORRIN G. HATCH, Utah SIDNEY R. YATES, Illinois JOHN HEINZ, Pennsylvania JONATHAN B. BINGHAM, New York ALFONSE M. D'AMATO, New York TIMOTHY E. WIRTH, Colorado CLAIBORNE PELL, Rhode Island MILLICENT FENWICK, New Jersey PATRICK J. LEAHY, Vermont DON RITTER, Pennsylvania EXECUTIVE BRANCH The Honorable STEPHEN E. PALMER, Jr., Department of State The Honorable RICHARD NORMAN PERLE, Department of Defense The Honorable WILLIAM H. MORRIS, Jr., Department of Commerce R. SPENCER OLIVER, Staff Director LYNNE DAVIDSON, Staff Assistant BARBARA BLACKBURN, Administrative Assistant DEBORAH BURNS, Coordinator (II) ] CONTENTS IMPLEMENTATION. OF THE HELSINKI ACCORDS The Crisis In Poland And Its Effects On The Helsinki Process, December 28, 1981 WITNESSES Page Rurarz, Ambassador Zdzislaw, former Polish Ambassador to Japan .................... 10 Kampelman, Ambassador Max M., Chairman, U.S. Delegation to the CSCE Review Meeting in Madrid ............................................................ 31 Baranczak, Stanislaw, founder of KOR, the Committee for the Defense of Workers.......................................................................................................................... 47 Scanlan, John D., Deputy Assistant Secretary for European Affairs, Depart- ment of State ............................................................ 53 Kahn, Tom, assistant to the president of the AFL-CIO ..........................................
    [Show full text]
  • Generate PDF of This Page Notify About This Page
    Institute of National Remembrance https://ipn.gov.pl/en/news/4038,Martial-Law-in-Poland-at-the-behest-of-the-Kremlin.html 2021-09-30, 10:53 06.04.2020 Martial Law in Poland at the behest of the Kremlin One of the meetings, crucial for the development of the events of 1981, took place just outside the eastern Polish border. On 3 April in Brest on the Bug River, Stanisław Kania and Wojciech Jaruzelski met with Soviet leaders to discuss the situation. "We are all very concerned about further developments in Poland," said Leonid Brezhnev in early April. The Kremlin dignitaries made it clear to the Polish Party leaders that they expected them to act quickly and decisively against the opposition and "Solidarity". The Kremlin is not glad The spring of 1981 was a period of turbulence for the Polish communists. From 16 March, Poland held military exercises of the Warsaw Pact forces, codenamed "Soyuz 81", and the threat of strikes triggered by "Solidarity" in the wake of the Bydgoszcz provocation had not yet subsided. On 30 March 1981, the authorities concluded a compromise with the "Solidarity" leadership. The trade union dismissed the idea of general strike, and in return was authorised i.a. to legalise the founding committees of rural “Solidarity” and given promises - never kept – that the state would investigate the events that took place on 19 March in Bydgoszcz and draft a law on trade unions. The leadership of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union was not satisfied with such an agreement. The "Polish" topic was raised on 2 April 1981 during the meeting of the Politburo of the Soviet Communist Party.
    [Show full text]
  • Gdańsk- the Main City Tour – Reneissance, Amber and Hanseatic
    Gdańsk city fascinates with a very rich, 1000 years old history – starting from a christianising journey of St. Adalbert to Prussia in 997, when he also came to here and baptized in Gyddanzc plenty of people; the membership in the Hanseatic League, the elitist union of merchants from the Baltic and Nord Sea in XVIIc. or the beginning of the Solidarity in the year 1980. Moves with plenty of romantic stories about tragic love, bravery and wisdom of worldwide known people of science, who were born here. Attracts with the richness of nature and care for the green areas. What is more the city is bikers-friendly, what really makes people feel as in heaven. And it still opens for New Dreams about the European Solidarity Centre. In its thoughts already kicks the ball at the Baltic Arena during EURO 2012. It develops and … becomes day after day more pretty. Gdańsk keeps intriguing all guests and citizens and will never stop doing this. Gdańsk- The Main City Tour – Reneissance, Amber and Hanseatic Time: 2 h Venue : Green Bridge, at 6.00 p.m. Plan of the visit: Royal Way – from Green Gate through the Long Market, the Main City Hall, Artur's Court, Neptun's Fountain, Long Street with XVIIc. tenement houses (Uphagen, Ferber, Czirenberg houses), Golden Gate Prison and Torture Tower XVIIc. – nowadays Amber Museum, Coal Market, Great Armoury Basilica of St.Mary- the biggest brick gothic shrine worldwide, cosy Mariacka Street with the colourful history of amber. In one of amber galleries we are able to see amber polishing art presentation.
    [Show full text]
  • Understanding Europe EN
    Understanding Europe A portrait of the European Union in 50 pages "The European Commission support for the production of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the contents which reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein." Understanding Europe A portrait of the European Union in 50 pages We did not choose the easy way: Many discussions, different views on the world, Europe, migration during the 4 project meetings led to this product. The unifying band was the ambition to develop a good product and thus contribute to the understanding of Europe and to a successful integration. We are convinced that we can provide teachers with a didactic compilation that does not yet exist. We will endeavour to ensure that the manual is distributed as widely as possible: inside and outside the project. Thanks and appreciation go to the authors Angelika Brechelmacher, Regina Wonisch, Heike Kölln-Prisner and Jan Karadas. The 4 chapters can be found here: History 3 Institutions 13 Democracy 32 Living in Europe 39 All the best! Herbert Depner Vienna, march 2018 The project partners were: - PoleskiOśrodekSztuki, Polen - Hamburger Volkshochschule, Germany - Nevo parudimos, Romania - EU Warehouse, Belgium - Sprachendienst Konstanz, Germany - Bulgarian Development Agency, Bulgaria - Die Wiener Volkshochschulen, Austria coordinating the project Impressum / Legal notice Herausgeber, Medieninhaber: Die Wiener Volkshochschulen GmbH, Lustkandlgasse 50, 1090 Wien Für den Inhalt verantwortlich: Herbert Schweiger, Geschäftsführer; Herbert Depner, Projektmanager Druck: onlineprinters.com Erscheinungsort: ?? 2 History Ideas of European unity before 1945 Large areas of Europe had previously been united by empires built on force, such as the Roman Empire, Byzantine Empire, Frankish Empire, the First French Empire and Nazi Germany.
    [Show full text]
  • Czechoslovak-Polish Relations 1918-1968: the Prospects for Mutual Support in the Case of Revolt
    University of Montana ScholarWorks at University of Montana Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers Graduate School 1977 Czechoslovak-Polish relations 1918-1968: The prospects for mutual support in the case of revolt Stephen Edward Medvec The University of Montana Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd Let us know how access to this document benefits ou.y Recommended Citation Medvec, Stephen Edward, "Czechoslovak-Polish relations 1918-1968: The prospects for mutual support in the case of revolt" (1977). Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers. 5197. https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd/5197 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at ScholarWorks at University of Montana. It has been accepted for inclusion in Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks at University of Montana. For more information, please contact [email protected]. CZECHOSLOVAK-POLISH RELATIONS, 191(3-1968: THE PROSPECTS FOR MUTUAL SUPPORT IN THE CASE OF REVOLT By Stephen E. Medvec B. A. , University of Montana,. 1972. Presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA 1977 Approved by: ^ .'■\4 i Chairman, Board of Examiners raduat'e School Date UMI Number: EP40661 All rights reserved INFORMATION TO ALL USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion.
    [Show full text]
  • An Article About Lech Walesa
    Lech Walesa was born on 29th September in 1943 in Popowo, Poland. After graduating from vocational school, he worked as a car mechanic at a machine centre from 1961 to 1965. He served in the army for two years, and in 1967 was employed in the Gdansk shipyards as an electrician. In 1969 he married Danuta Golos and they have eight children. He was a member of the illegal strike committee in Gdansk Shipyard in 1970. In 1976, Walesa lost his job in Gdansk Shipyard. In June 1978 he joined the illegal underground Free Trade Unions of the Coast , organized by Bogdan Borusewicz, Lech Kaczy ński, Anna Walentynowicz, and others. On August 14th 1980, after the beginning of an occupational strike in the Lenin Shipyard of Gdansk, Walesa became the leader of this strike. The strike was spontaneously followed by similar strikes, first in Gdansk, and then across Poland. On December 9 th 1990, Walesa won the presidential election to become president of Poland for the next five years. His style of presidency was strongly criticized by most of the political parties, and he lost most of the initial public support by the end of 1995. In 1983, he applied to come back to Gdansk Shipyard as a simple electrician. In 1983 he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. He was unable to receive the prize himself. He was afraid that the government would not let him back in. In May 10 th 2004, the Gdansk international airport has been officially renamed to Gdansk Lech Walesa Airport to commemorate the famous Gdansk citizen.
    [Show full text]