DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.31076#0154
John Paul II in 1979 was of the greatest importance because he
inspired the Polish people with a new confidence in their power.
The community of Nowa Huta, to the surprise of the regime,
became the center of opposition; but a large number of
Cracow’s intelligentsia, especially students, was also engaged
in the politics and fights. Many were put into intemment camps
when martial law was declared in December 1981.
Life under the control of the political police had a surreal-
istic flavor, with such drastic elements as the censoring of tele-
phone talks; the liquidation of several scholarly and artistic
societies; the interdiction of all public meetings; the problems
with traveling, especially abroad; and the absolute lack of com-
modities in shops. But events unfolded quickly as the dramatic
political struggle between the Communist regime and Soli-
darity continued. Finally, the Communist system was over-
thrown almost without bloodshed—a fact that reflected the
enormous changes in the Soviet Union and the breakup of
its empire.
The Round Table between Solidarity and the Communists
settled some basic economic and political problems, paving
the way to the bloodless overthrow of Communism. The sub-
sequent free elections were won by Solidarity, and the first
non-Communist government was established in 1990, with
Lech Walqsa as president. Cracow continuously furnished
the political movement with highly qualified people. Reforms
were undertaken on an enormous scale, and an unprecedented
transformation from the Communist central economy into
a free market system was begun. The leader of this revolu-
tion was Leszek Balcerowicz, a man of great capacity and
strong will.
144
inspired the Polish people with a new confidence in their power.
The community of Nowa Huta, to the surprise of the regime,
became the center of opposition; but a large number of
Cracow’s intelligentsia, especially students, was also engaged
in the politics and fights. Many were put into intemment camps
when martial law was declared in December 1981.
Life under the control of the political police had a surreal-
istic flavor, with such drastic elements as the censoring of tele-
phone talks; the liquidation of several scholarly and artistic
societies; the interdiction of all public meetings; the problems
with traveling, especially abroad; and the absolute lack of com-
modities in shops. But events unfolded quickly as the dramatic
political struggle between the Communist regime and Soli-
darity continued. Finally, the Communist system was over-
thrown almost without bloodshed—a fact that reflected the
enormous changes in the Soviet Union and the breakup of
its empire.
The Round Table between Solidarity and the Communists
settled some basic economic and political problems, paving
the way to the bloodless overthrow of Communism. The sub-
sequent free elections were won by Solidarity, and the first
non-Communist government was established in 1990, with
Lech Walqsa as president. Cracow continuously furnished
the political movement with highly qualified people. Reforms
were undertaken on an enormous scale, and an unprecedented
transformation from the Communist central economy into
a free market system was begun. The leader of this revolu-
tion was Leszek Balcerowicz, a man of great capacity and
strong will.
144