Poland: Solidarity: Walesa is a three-chapter book that details the life and significant contribution of Lech Walesa of Poland.
Lech Walesa is the leader of an independent labor organization - Solidarity. The book begins with the background of crisis in Poland. The peaceful revolution is then described. The last chapter elaborates on the concept of Lech Walesa as the symbol of Polish August.
Inhalt
Why Poland? Background to Crisis
Influence of Polish-Soviet Relations
Origins of the Polish Kingdom
The Partitions
Polish Nationalism
Re-establishment of Poland
Polish-Soviet War
Anti-Sovietism
World War II
Resistance
Rebirth of the Polish Communist Party
The Communists Take Power
Stalinism and Russian Control
The 1956 Riots
A Cultural Renaissance
Disappointed Expectations
Edward Gierek and "Dynamic Growth"
The Church in Poland
The Peaceful Revolution
A New Movement in Eastern Europe
The First Strikes
Western Reaction
Shortcomings of the Gierek Regime
The Police and Public Reaction
The Party's Attitude to the Strikes
The Gdansk Agreement and the Fall of Gierek
Revolutionary Innovations
Solidarity
The Intellectuals' Involvement
Struggle within the Party
Provocation of Solidarity
Restructuring the Party
Economic Problems
The Relationship with Russia
Lech Walesa: Symbol of the Polish August
Walesa as a Revolutionary Symbol
His Rise to Prominence
Meeting Walesa in Gdansk
The Principle of Solidarity
Walesa's Childhood and Youth
Move to Gdansk and Marriage
The Lessons of 1970-1976
The "Baltic Committee"
Consequences for Walesa
The "Polish August"
His Style of Leadership
Problems of Celebrity
Walesa and the Church
Crisis: Bielsko-Biala and Bydgoszcz
Walesa's Achievement
Picture Credits
Index