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The Polish People's Republic - PRL – revision lesson

Opening of the East-West Route in Warsaw
Source: AG CAF, Otwarcie Trasy W-Z w Warszawie, 1949, licencja: CC 0.

Link to the lesson

You will learn
  • to characterize the most significant events of1944 - 1989;

  • to recognize the most important figures in post‑war Poland;

  • to characterize examples and versions of state propaganda;

  • to describe how the PRL influenced the history of Poland.

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Nagranie abstraktu

Poland was on the winning side in World War II. However, the Polish people themselves did not decide their fate, rather it was the leaders of the United States, the Soviet Union and Great Britain. At the conferences of the so‑called Big Three in Tehran (1943), Yalta and Potsdam (1945), it was determined that Poland would come under the Soviet sphere of influence. Territories lost to the USSR in 1939 were not returned ot Poland. In exchange – at the expense of Germany – they gained Lower Silesia, Western Pomerania, Warmia and Masuria.

At the end of World War II, power in Poland was in the hands of the CommunistsCommunismCommunists the Polish Workers' Party (later to become: Polish United Workers' Party PZPRPZPRPZPR). They enjoyed the full support of Stalin and the Soviet army. The organs of the Polish Underground ceased to exist, and Western governments ceased supporting the government in London and gave official recognition to the CommunistsCommunismCommunists in Poland. For several years, there was still armed opposition by a few groups of anti‑Communist underground (the so‑called „Cursed Soldiers”).

The name of the country changed in 1952 to the Polish People's Republic (PRL). The PRL appeared to be a fully democratic and sovereign state, but in fact full power was exercised by the CommunistsCommunismCommunists, who in turn were subordinate to rule from Moscow. CommunistsCommunismCommunists had no intention of relinquishing power once they had it, and used mass terror and repression against political opponents and the Catholic Church.

Socialist ideas were attempted in the economy. The reconstruction of the country took place slowly, following the destruction of the war, education was spread and industrialisation progressed. At the same time, there were problems with a lack of essential goods. PropagandapropagandaPropaganda cleverly showed the successes of the regime and made no mention of failures.

Not everyone supported the CommunistsCommunismCommunists in Poland. Some of the people were intimidated and just tried to survive. However, every few years, following the buildup of economic and social problems there would be outbursts of social unrest that would turn into strikesStrikestrikes and protests (1956, 1968, 1970, 1976). These were brutally suppressed by the authorities. In particular, workers in heavy industry plants rebelled. They were supported by intellectuals. In 1980 the wave of strikesStrikestrikes led to the creation and official recognition of the Independent Self‑Governing Trade Union „SolidaritySolidaritySolidarity˝. The leader of SolidaritySolidaritySolidarity was the electrician Lech Wałęsa. This was a breakthrough in the country's political system, and that of the entire so‑called Eastern Block. SolidaritySolidaritySolidarity demanded improvements to living standards and respect for human and civil rights. On December 13th, 1981 the CommunistCommunismCommunist powers, led by General Wojciech Jaruzelski, initiated military action and introduced Martial LawMartial LawMartial Law. SolidaritySolidaritySolidarity was made illegal and many of the leadership were imprisoned. The democratic opposition had gone underground again.

The deepening economic crisis and a further wave pf protests prompted the CommunistCommunismCommunist powers to make concessions. During discussions in Magdalenka, and then at the Round TableRound TableRound Table, representatives of the leadership reached an agreement with some opposition leaders (no right‑wing activists were invited to the talks). As a resut, parliamentary elections held on June 4, 1989 were partially free. The opposition was resoundingly successful in these. A coalition government was formed (including ministers from the PZPRPZPRPZPR), and headed by Tadeusz Mazowiecki, a member of the opposition. Leszek Balcerowicz became minister of finance, with the task of transforming the economy from socialism to capitalism. The President of the PRL, elected by the National Assembly, was General Wojciech Jaruzelski.

In 1989, democratic and capitalist changes began in Poland. At the beginning of 1990 the name of the country was changed to the Republic of Poland. General Jaruzelski resigned his post, and the PZPRPZPRPZPR was dissolved. Lech Wałęsa was victorious in the first general Presidential election. In 1991, the first completely free parliamentary elections were held. The young Polish democracy gave birth to a number of parties that came from SolidaritySolidaritySolidarity and the former powers. The early years of the Third Polish Republic saw many political disputes, unstable governments and an economic crisis, as a result of the ruin of the country after 45 years of the CommunistCommunismCommunist experiment.

Task 1

Read the text carefully, look at the picture and answer the questions. Which of these items will not survive until 2076? Which will be incomprehensible then? Which do you not understand? How will you find an explanation?

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Capsule
Source: Sbassi, licencja: CC BY-SA 3.0.

The CapsuleTime CapsuleCapsule in the photo is kept in an astronomical observatory in Los Angeles. It contains items selected by residents of the city in 1976. The dedication on it states: „Example of everyday life in Los Angeles in 1976, for residents in 2076.” This is what you can find in the capsule:

  • „Pet‑rock” - a rock/toy from a beach in Mexico, it was very fashionable in the USA in 1975. It contains a manual, which describes in great detail how to „take care” of your rock, how to feed it, bathe it, train it.

  • one of Cher's wedding dresses

  • school certificates

  • false eyelashes

  • a pair of trainers

  • credit cards

  • a skateboard

  • a pair of men's platform shoes

  • a recording of the film „Jaws”

  • cans of beer

  • a Barbie doll

  • tape recordings from presidential candidates' electoral conventions

  • an Amercian football signed by Los Angeles players

  • a prepared meal ready to go in the oven

Exercise 1

In five sentences, write down what you learnt about life in the United States in 1976, based on this capsuleTime Capsulecapsule. Compare your description with two class mates. Did you reach the same conclusions? Why?

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Wykonaj zadanie zgodnie z poleceniem.
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Task 2

Find out more about state propagandapropagandapropaganda in the PRL.

In undemocratic countries propagandapropagandapropaganda has two main aims – promotion of the rulers and representatives by highlighting their successes, covering up failures and discrediting opponents and enemies, including imagined ones. Every part of such countries in involved in the process, because by receiving only pre‑determined information, only the messages of propagandapropagandapropaganda are heard.

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Fotografia przedstawia polski plakat propagandowy. Mężczyzna mierzy palcem w odbiorcę plakatu. Pod spodem napis: Coś TY zrobił dla realizacji planu? Na ilustracji widoczne dopiski: 1. In the Peoples' Republic of Poland (PRL), state propaganda was controlled in three areas - education, information and culture. Representatives of both state powers and the party, in addition to institutions such as schools, associations and all sections of the media were involved in spreading propaganda. 2. The availability of television assisted in the development of propaganda and took it to a new level. This was used in particular by Edward Gierek, who in the late 1970's took power in the country. One important element of this was the daily broadcast called The Television Diary, which informed people about the key events around the country. Propaganda about successes, extolling the exaggerated achievements of the rulers, hiding failures and shortcomings, such slogans as "building a second Poland", "economic miracle" and "eighth wonder of the economic world" were a reality in the 1970's. 3. The ealry years of Edward Gierek's rule coincided with successes in Polish sport (the Olympic Games in Munich and Montreal), where attempts were made to portray these as the achievements of the whole country and the efforts of the party. The authorities made much use of the popularity and successes of the athletes by getting them to participate in many events to showcase their acheivements as being due to the efforts of the whole country. 4. State propaganda was also expresed through culture and art. Architecture in particular provided propagandists with great opportunities in war-torn Warsaw. The best example here is the Soviet Union's gift to Poland - the Palace of Culture and Science. 5. In order to get people to behave and think in certain ways, propaganda in the PRL developed a characteristic type of language. They used psychological manipulation, eliciting extreme emotions, exploiting stereotypes and new language to make the potential recipient able from the first moment to to see who is on the side of right and good, and who is onclined towards "inciting war" and causing harm to a hard-working society.
Polish propaganda poster
Source: licencja: CC BY-SA 3.0.
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Exercise 2
Zapoznaj się z tekstem, a następnie ułóż do niego dwa pytania. Under the provisions of the so-called Big Three, Poland lost the so-called Kresy to the USSR, in return receiving land in the west and north. In the years 1944-1953 there was competition with the anti-Communist underground, whose members were colloquially known as the Cursed Soldiers. In order to gain absolute power, the Communists faked the People's Referendum in 1946 and the 1947 parliamentary elections.The next step in their takeover was was agrarian reform and nationalisation of industry, which had as its aim the elimination of private property. In July 1952, the Communist Constitution was introduced and the country acquired a new name - Polish People's Reupublic. In June 1956, the first mass protest against the Polish authorities occurred in Poznan. This was one of the reasons that brought about the so-called October thaw and the ascencion to power of Władysław Gomułka. Subsequent events took place in 1968, 1970, 1976, with the biggest in 1980, which resulted in the formation of the Independent Self-Governing Trade Union "Solidarity" headed by Lech Wałęsa. It was the largest social movement which in only a few months had acquired 10 million Poles as members. The Communist authorities feared the stength and importance of "Solidarity", so on 13th December, 1981 they introduced martial law across the country. Facing economic collapse and increasing social unrest, the PZPR authorities, led by General Wojciech Jaruzelski opted for dialogue with the opposition. He led Round Table discussions, the result of which were socio-political changes and the first partially-free elections in june of 1989. These were duly won by the opposition, leading to democratic changes in Poland, which inspired other countries in the so-called Eastern Block.
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Exercise 3
Match the pairs: English words with Polish definition. pojemnik, w którym umieszczono przedmioty i informacje z epoki mające przekazywać wiedzę przyszłym pokoleniom. Możliwe odpowiedzi: 1. Round Table, 2. Time Capsule, 3. Strike, 4. Totalitarianism, 5. Censorship, 6. Propaganda, 7. Martial Law, 8. Democracy, 9. Solidarity, 10. Communism, 11. PZPR Polska Zjednoczona Partia Robotnicza, polska monopartia polityczna powstała w 1948 roku i sprawująca pełnię władzy do 1989 roku. Była partią masową, w której władzę sprawowano w sposób autorytarny. Możliwe odpowiedzi: 1. Round Table, 2. Time Capsule, 3. Strike, 4. Totalitarianism, 5. Censorship, 6. Propaganda, 7. Martial Law, 8. Democracy, 9. Solidarity, 10. Communism, 11. PZPR system rządów politycznych połączony z uzasadniającą jego istnienie ideologią, która głosi całkowite podporządkowanie jednostki i pełną kontrolę przez państwo społeczeństwa. Możliwe odpowiedzi: 1. Round Table, 2. Time Capsule, 3. Strike, 4. Totalitarianism, 5. Censorship, 6. Propaganda, 7. Martial Law, 8. Democracy, 9. Solidarity, 10. Communism, 11. PZPR ideologia głosząca powstanie jednej klasy społecznej, likwidację własności prywatnej i wspólny podział dóbr. Miała obalić istniejące ustroje polityczne i wprowadzić utopijny model państwa pozbawionego ucisku i wyzysku innych. Możliwe odpowiedzi: 1. Round Table, 2. Time Capsule, 3. Strike, 4. Totalitarianism, 5. Censorship, 6. Propaganda, 7. Martial Law, 8. Democracy, 9. Solidarity, 10. Communism, 11. PZPR ustrój polityczny i system sprawowania władzy, w którym jej źródło stanowi wola większości obywateli wyrażona niezależnych w wyborach. Możliwe odpowiedzi: 1. Round Table, 2. Time Capsule, 3. Strike, 4. Totalitarianism, 5. Censorship, 6. Propaganda, 7. Martial Law, 8. Democracy, 9. Solidarity, 10. Communism, 11. PZPR celowe działania, które mają doprowadzić do określonych zachować i poglądów. Służy ona do upowszechnienia dogodnych informacji dla nadawcy. W języku potocznym synonim kłamstwa i manipulacji. Możliwe odpowiedzi: 1. Round Table, 2. Time Capsule, 3. Strike, 4. Totalitarianism, 5. Censorship, 6. Propaganda, 7. Martial Law, 8. Democracy, 9. Solidarity, 10. Communism, 11. PZPR kontrola i ograniczanie wolności słowa polegające na weryfikacji i przekazywaniu tylko zgodnych z punktem widzenia władzy informacji. Występuje najczęściej w krajach niedemokratycznych i czasie konfliktu zbrojnego. Możliwe odpowiedzi: 1. Round Table, 2. Time Capsule, 3. Strike, 4. Totalitarianism, 5. Censorship, 6. Propaganda, 7. Martial Law, 8. Democracy, 9. Solidarity, 10. Communism, 11. PZPR ogólnopolski związek zawodowy powstały w 1980 roku by bronić praw pracowników w PRL. Z czasem stał się jednym z głównych ośrodków opozycji przeciwko władzy komunistycznej. Pierwszym liderem i przewodniczącym był Lech Wałęsa. Możliwe odpowiedzi: 1. Round Table, 2. Time Capsule, 3. Strike, 4. Totalitarianism, 5. Censorship, 6. Propaganda, 7. Martial Law, 8. Democracy, 9. Solidarity, 10. Communism, 11. PZPR forma protestu, najczęściej pracowników wobec pracodawcy, polegająca najczęściej na wstrzymaniu się od wykonywania pracy przez protestujących. Możliwe odpowiedzi: 1. Round Table, 2. Time Capsule, 3. Strike, 4. Totalitarianism, 5. Censorship, 6. Propaganda, 7. Martial Law, 8. Democracy, 9. Solidarity, 10. Communism, 11. PZPR stan nadzwyczajny ogłaszany na wybranym obszarze lub całym państwie, polegający na przejęciu administracji i zarządu kraju przez wojsko. Możliwe odpowiedzi: 1. Round Table, 2. Time Capsule, 3. Strike, 4. Totalitarianism, 5. Censorship, 6. Propaganda, 7. Martial Law, 8. Democracy, 9. Solidarity, 10. Communism, 11. PZPR rozmowy prowadzone przez demokratyczną opozycję z władzami PRL pomiędzy lutym a kwietniem 1989 roku. Miały na celu doprowadzenie do reform politycznych, gospodarczych i społecznych. Rozpoczęły przemiany ustrojowe Polski i doprowadziły do częściowo wolnych wyborów w czerwcu 1989 roku. Możliwe odpowiedzi: 1. Round Table, 2. Time Capsule, 3. Strike, 4. Totalitarianism, 5. Censorship, 6. Propaganda, 7. Martial Law, 8. Democracy, 9. Solidarity, 10. Communism, 11. PZPR

Keywords

PRL, Polish People's Republic, Big Three

Glossary

Time Capsule
Time Capsule
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Nagranie słówka: Time Capsule

Kapsuła czasu – pojemnik, w którym umieszczono przedmioty i informacje z epoki mające przekazywać wiedzę przyszłym pokoleniom.

PZPR
PZPR
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Nagranie słówka: PZPR

PZPR – Polska Zjednoczona Partia Robotnicza, polska monopartia polityczna powstała w 1948 roku i sprawująca pełnię władzy do 1989 roku. Była partią masową, w której władzę sprawowano w sposób autorytarny.

Totalitarianism
Totalitarianism
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Nagranie słówka: Totalitarianism

Totalitaryzm – system rządów politycznych połączony z uzasadniającą jego istnienie ideologią, która głosi całkowite podporządkowanie jednostki i pełną kontrolę przez państwo społeczeństwa.

Communism
Communism
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Nagranie słówka: Communism

Komunizm – ideologia głosząca powstanie jednej klasy społecznej, likwidację własności prywatnej i wspólny podział dóbr. Miała obalić istniejące ustroje polityczne i wprowadzić utopijny model państwa pozbawionego ucisku i wyzysku innych.

Democracy
Democracy
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Nagranie słówka: Democracy

Demokracja – ustrój polityczny i system sprawowania władzy, w którym jej źródło stanowi wola większości obywateli wyrażona niezależnych w wyborach.

Propaganda
Propaganda
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Nagranie słówka: Propaganda

Propaganda – celowe działania, które mają doprowadzić do określonych zachować i poglądów. Służy ona do upowszechnienia dogodnych informacji dla nadawcy. W języku potocznym synonim kłamstwa i manipulacji.

Censorship
Censorship
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Nagranie słówka: Censorship

Cenzura – kontrola i ograniczanie wolności słowa polegające na weryfikacji i przekazywaniu tylko zgodnych z punktem widzenia władzy informacji. Występuje najczęściej w krajach niedemokratycznych i czasie konfliktu zbrojnego.

Solidarity
Solidarity
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Nagranie słówka: Solidarity

Solidarność – ogólnopolski związek zawodowy powstały w 1980 roku by bronić praw pracowników w PRL. Z czasem stał się jednym z głównych ośrodków opozycji przeciwko władzy komunistycznej. Pierwszym liderem i przewodniczącym był Lech Wałęsa.

Strike
Strike
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Nagranie słówka: Strike

Strajk – forma protestu, najczęściej pracowników wobec pracodawcy, polegająca najczęściej na wstrzymaniu się od wykonywania pracy przez protestujących.

Martial Law
Martial Law
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nagranie słówka: Martial Law

Stan wojenny – stan nadzwyczajny ogłaszany na wybranym obszarze lub całym państwie, polegający na przejęciu administracji i zarządu kraju przez wojsko.

Round Table
Round Table
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Nagranie słówka: Round Table

Okrągły Stół – rozmowy prowadzone przez demokratyczną opozycję z władzami PRL pomiędzy lutym a kwietniem 1989 roku. Miały na celu doprowadzenie do reform politycznych, gospodarczych i społecznych. Rozpoczęły przemiany ustrojowe Polski i doprowadziły do częściowo wolnych wyborów w czerwcu 1989 roku.