A food ration coupon. During many periods in comunist Poland food was rationed, which was one of people discontent with the system.
An extremely strong wave of strikes engulfed Poland after a price increase in 1980.
This time the government did not resort
to violence, and the subsequent negotiations resulted in the signing of the
August Agreements (31 August 1980) and the emergence of Solidarity,
the first independent trade union organisation, headed by a shipyard worker,
Lech Walesa. However, the communist party decided to restore order
and in December 1981 Martial Law was introduced in the People's Republic of
Poland. Several thousand opposition campaigners were interned, and strikes
were crushed with the help of the army. Martial law had not resolved
Poland's problems and was officially lifted in 1983. When Gorbachev
assumed power in Soviet Union in 1985, the opportunity occurred for the
settlement of the situation in Poland. In 1988, Communist party leaders
started negotiations with representatives of the unofficial opposition
(‘Round Table’ talks). The election held in June 1989 brought a landslide
victory to Solidarity. It was clear that the Communist Party would not be
able to continue to govern in the face of such massive opposition from the
people. The office of Prime Minister was entrusted to a Solidarity
candidate, Tadeusz Mazowiecki.
