Contemporary history: key events and periods

¶ … Solidarity (Solidarnosc) Movement in Poland Led to the Collapse of Communism in Poland

History has shown time and again that when people are subjected to inordinately oppressive conditions long enough, they will rise up and slay their oppressors, literally or figuratively, and this is precisely what happened in Poland during the 1980s. This paper provides an analysis of the Solidarity (Solidarnosc) movement in Poland that led to the collapse of communism in Poland. A description of the events that led to the growth of the Solidarity movement is followed by the identification and an analysis of the events that followed Gorbachev's policy of political pluralism in Poland. Finally, an evaluation of the relative success of democracy and capitalism in Poland after the end of the Cold War is followed by a summary of the research in the conclusion.

Review and Discussion

In retrospect, the events that led up to the Solidarity movement in Poland were clear even to international observers who continued to hear reports of widespread demonstrations and growing social unrest emanating from this Soviet state and member of the Warsaw Pact. According to U.S. government analysts, "Labor turmoil in 1980 led to the formation of the independent trade union 'Solidarity' that over time became a political force with over ten million members" (Poland, 2013, para. 1). By the end of the 1980s, the political climate had changed in Poland to the extent that free elections were held in 1989 and 1990 which secured won control of the parliament and the presidency to the Solidarity party, thereby ending the communist era (Poland, 2013).

The relative success of democracy and capitalism in Poland followed the end of the Cold War can be judged from the fact that there were about 24,000 foundations and associations operating in Poland in 2003 (Magner, 2005), and the country's per capita GDP at $20,900 is among the highest of former Soviet states (Poland economy, 2013). This impressive economic development is attributed to so-called "shock therapy" reforms that were implemented in the early 1990s that facilitated the transition from a state-controlled economy to an economy that U.S. government analysts describe as "one of the most robust in Central Europe" (Poland economy, 2013, para. 3).

Other indications of democracy and capitalism in Poland can be discerned from the country's membership in NATO (1999) and accession to the European Union (2004) (Poland economy, 2013). In sum, "With its transformation to a democratic, market-oriented country largely completed, Poland is an increasingly active member of Euro-Atlantic organizations" (Poland economy, 2013, para. 3).