What is solidarnosc?

Solidarnosc, also known as the Solidarity Movement, was a Polish trade union founded in 1980 by Lech Walesa and a group of workers in Gdansk. It grew rapidly to become the largest independent trade union in the Soviet Bloc, with a membership of around 10 million people.

The main goals of Solidarnosc were to improve workers' rights and living conditions, challenge the authority of the Communist government, and promote democracy and freedom in Poland. The movement was also supported by intellectuals, students, and other groups who shared its anti-Communist and pro-democracy ideals.

Solidarnosc gained widespread international recognition and support, particularly from Western countries such as the United States and United Kingdom. However, its success led to a government crackdown, including the imposition of martial law in 1981 and the arrest and imprisonment of many of its leaders and members.

Despite this repression, Solidarnosc continued to operate underground and played a significant role in the eventual collapse of Communism in Poland and across Eastern Europe. It remains a symbol of the struggle for freedom, democracy, and human rights.