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The 1928-1980 Polish flag.
Overview[]
The Polish People's Republic (PPR) (Polish: Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa (PRL)) covers the history of Poland under communist control between 1952 and 1989. The name was defined by the Constitution of 1952 which was based on the 1936 Soviet Constitution. Between 1947 and 1952, the name of the Polish state was the Republic of Poland (Rzeczpospolita Polska), in accordance with the temporary Constitution of 1947. At the time of its founding during final stages of World War II, Poland was regarded as a puppet entity set up and controlled by the Soviet Union, and over time, it developed into a satellite state of the Soviet Union.
Politics[]
The Soviet Union had much influence over both internal and external affairs, and Red Army forces were stationed in Poland (1945: 500,000; until 1955: 120,000 to 150,000; until 1989: 40,000). In 1945, Soviet generals and advisors formed 80% of the officer cadre of the Polish Armed Forces. The Polish United Workers' Party became the dominant political party, officially making the country a Communist state.
Events in 1956[]
Bolesław Bierut died in March 1956, and was replaced with Edward Ochab. In June, workers in the industrial city of Poznań went on strike, in what became known as the Poznań 1956 protests. Voices began to be raised in the Party and among the intellectuals calling for wider reforms of the Stalinist system. Eventually, power shifted towards Władysław Gomułka, who replaced Bolesław Bierut as party leader. Hardline Stalinists were removed from power and many Soviet officers serving in the Polish Army were dismissed. This marked the end of the Stalinist era. However, by the mid-1960s Gomułka's reformist veil had long since fallen off, and Poland was starting to experience economic as well as political difficulties.
Also see[]
- 18 inch Mark XVI torpedo
- Polish United Workers' Party
- Poznań 1956 protests
- 1968 Polish political crisis
- 1968 Polish political crisis
- 1970 Polish protests
- People's Republic of Poland
- Bolesław Bierut
- 1962 Szczecin military parade accident
- Poland
- Polish 18 inch torpedo (1945)
- Polish October
- PZL I-22 Iryda
- PZL TS-11 Iskra
- 1971 Łódź strikes
- Summer 1981 hunger demonstrations in Poland
- 1981 Declaration of Martial Law in Poland
- "Poland is 'toast'!"
- Warsaw Radio Mast
- The President of Poland
- Jarosławiec-Darłowo Highway Strips
- Kliniska (Szczecin) Highway Strips
- The President of Poland
- The 1981 warning strike in Poland
- Polish United Workers' Party
- 1971 Łódź strikes
- 1981 Declaration of Martial Law in Poland
- Summer 1981 hunger demonstrations in Poland
- 1962 Szczecin military parade accident
- 1968 Polish political crisis
- 1970 Polish protests
- Bydgoszcz events of March 1981
- Exercise Zapad-81
- PZL TS-11 Iskra
- The 1981 warning strike in Poland
- "Poland is 'toast'!"
- 1962 Szczecin military parade accident
- 1968 Polish political crisis
- 1970 Polish protests
- Bydgoszcz events of March 1981
- Exercise Zapad-81
- Gdynia (Rumia) Highway Strips
- Jarosławiec-Darłowo Highway Strips
- Kliniska (Szczecin) Highway Strips
- Poznań 1956 protests
- PZL TS-11 Iskra
- Soviet invasion of Denmark
- The 1981 warning strike in Poland
- The Republic of Mount Tarnica (Attempted nuclear war simulation)
- Łask Air Base
- Solidarność
- Solidarity trades union
- Independent Self-governing Trade Union "Solidarity"
- Niezależny Samorządny Związek Zawodowy „Solidarność”
- Soviet invasion of Denmark
- Gdynia (Rumia) Highway Strips
- Independent Self-governing Trade Union "Solidarity"
- Jarosławiec-Darłowo Highway Strips
- Kliniska (Szczecin) Highway Strips
- Polish United Workers' Party
- Poznań 1956 protests
- PZL TS-11 Iskra
- Solidarity trades union
- Solidarność
- TEWA TG50 germanium transistors
- The 1981 warning strike in Poland
- The Republic of Mount Tarnica (Attempted nuclear war simulation)
- Łask Air Base
