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Solidarity in Poland & the Decline of Soviet Influence

Exam code: 2147
Written by: Ashika|Reviewed by: Caroline Carroll|Updated 2 July 2026

Reasons why Poland Resisted Communist Rule

Reasons Why Poland Resisted Communist Rule

A mind map centered on the question "Why did Poland resist communist rule?", with four key themes and supporting details: Nationalism Many people thought of themselves as Polish, not part of the USSR. Poland had a strong national identity. Hatred of Russia Poland had been part of the old Russian Empire. Russia had treated Poland poorly. Religion Communism believed in the abolition of religion. Many people in Poland were Catholic. Polish October In 1956, Polish leader Władysław Gomułka introduced capitalist reforms to the economy.
A concept map showing why Poland did not accept Communism and Soviet rule

Who were Solidarity?

Who were Solidarity?

  • By the late 1970s, Poland’s economy was struggling

    • Poland's industry was old-fashioned due to a lack of funding

    • The Polish government hid the extent that the economy was failing

    • Workers’ wages were much higher than the workers’ productivity

  • In 1980, the government attempted to fix the economy by:

    • Increasing the prices of consumer goods

    • Decreasing workers’ wages

  • The government’s measures resulted in:

    • Popular protest

    • Widespread strikes

      • The strike at Lenin Gdansk Shipyard on 14th August 1980 led to the creation of Solidarity

      • Solidarity was a trade union that developed into a protest movement

Solidarity logo with a drawing of Lech Wales, the leader of Solidarity. A red box lists Solidarity's demands: legalise striking, prevent censorship, Catholic Church broadcasts, fair pay, union independence.
An illustration showing the leadership and some of Solidarity’s demands

  • On 30th August 1980, through negotiation, the government agreed to Solidarity’s demands

    • There were 21 demands in total

A large crowd gathers outdoors, listening to a speech. Two people stand on a platform above, with trees and a red banner overhead.
A photograph showing the number of striking workers at the Lenin Gdansk Shipyard in August 1980
A photograph showing the number of striking workers at the Lenin Gdansk Shipyard in August 1980
A photograph showing the number of striking workers at the Lenin Gdansk Shipyard in August 1980

Strengths of Solidarity

Strengths of Solidarity

Strength of Solidarity

Explanation

Public support

By September 1980, Solidarity had three million members. By 1981, over 30% of Polish workers were members, including one million from the Communist Party. The government could not ignore this amount of people

Organisation

Solidarity had a professional structure. It had a newspaper called Solidarnosc. Walesa was a popular and charismatic leader

Type of protest

Walesa did not authorise the use of violent protest. This meant that the USSR was less likely to intervene militarily as they had done in Hungary and Czechoslovakia

Popularity across industries

Solidarity had members across all areas of Polish industry. If Walesa called for a general strike, it could cause significant disruption in Poland

Attention from the West

Solidarity’s work was well-reported in the West. This gave widespread support for the movement. It also meant that the USSR were cautious about how to deal with Solidarity

Martial Law in Poland

Martial Law in Poland

A flowchart showing the events leading to the suppression of the Solidarity movement in Poland: February 1981: General Jaruzelski, head of the Polish Army, becomes Prime Minister of Poland. He invites Lech Wałęsa to form a national government. In reality, Jaruzelski and Soviet leader Brezhnev secretly plan to crush Solidarity. 13th December 1981: Jaruzelski announces that Solidarity is planning a coup and uses this as a pretext. He arrests around 10,000 Solidarity members and declares martial law in Poland.
A flow diagram showing the events that led to martial law in Poland

What Helped the Polish Government to Implement Martial Law?

  • Solidarity was fractured

    • The Communist government had encouraged factions to form within Solidarity

    • People began to argue over key policies and aims of the movement

  • The government implemented martial law because they had the support of the USSR

    • Brezhnev could not allow Solidarity to weaken Poland

      • The USSR relied on Poland for its metallurgy

      • Reforms would push Poland away from the USSR

    • Brezhnev needed Poland to conform to the Warsaw Pact

      • A government under Solidarity would want more freedom from the USSR

      • It may want to withdraw Poland from the Warsaw Pact

Aerial view of soldiers wearing helmets and uniforms marching in formation on a narrow street between buildings, with a flag visible among them.
A photograph showing the Polish Motorized Reserves of the Citizens' Militia (ZOMO) in action during martial law in Poland
Street scene with a group of people walking amidst tear gas, some running, in a tense atmosphere. A car is partially visible in the foreground.
A photograph showing disorder in Poland during martial law

How did Solidarity Show the Decline of Soviet Influence?

How Did Solidarity Show the Decline of Soviet Influence?

  • The actions of Solidarity showed that by the 1980s:

    • Millions of people were willing to stand up against the Communist government

    • The people openly expressed their desire for a better standard of living

    • Communist leaders continued to be:

      • Corrupt

      • Resistant to reform

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