Historical calendar – anniversary of the refusal of workers to work in Gdańsk. Then the workers fed the crowd that started the strike.
Today, in our calendar, we will look at December strikes from 1970, which contributed to the overthrow of the communist crew of Władysław Gomulka.
Since the mid-1960s, there has been a gradual decline in support of the Gomulkowska team. “Towarsz Wiesław” lost trust among Poles as well as in Moscow. Gomulku did not want to grow the dense sector as much as the Kremlin wished. The decision-makers there besides did not like its reaction, nationalist deviation and excessive anti-Zionism.
Predicted by the outbreak of genuine riots in the future (the SB reports from the coast indicated this), it was decided to list the management of the Polish organization as part of the controlled crisis.
In order to carry it out, in February 1970 russian marshal Andrei Greczko arrived in Poland. During his visit, he spoke with General Wojciech Jaruzelski and Edward Gierek. After Katowice, he visited the coast (e.g. the shipyard in Szczecin), a place where strikes broke out after a fewer months. In October 1970, in Pomeranian voivodships, “lake 70” maneuvers took place. During them, coordination of military, fire and militia activities was practiced.
In November, the organization decided to drastically rise the prices of certain foodstuffs, mainly meat. The anticipation of unrest was anticipated, so all units under the MMA were mobilized. On December 12, the public was informed of the increases. In fact, spontaneous protests were organized in many parts of the country, but they usually ended after a fewer hours. It was different on the coast.
The management of the local factories did not agree to the increases demanded by the workers to balance fresh meat prices. Thus, on 14 December, the shipyard workers refused to work and went to the building of the Provincial Committee of the PZPR.
On 15 December, a general strike was announced and a strike committee with Zbigniew Jarosz and Jerzy Górski was established. The employees of the Gdańsk shipyard and another establishments began mass protests in which clashes with MO and ZOMO took place. The party's provincial committee was set on fire. At the station square, a sniper shot a man, leading to an escalation of the conflict.
The PPR authorities were divided on how to proceed. The anticipation of conversation and the strength variant were considered. The extremist organization took over, which led to an order to open fire. Over 30,000 soldiers and militias were directed against the protesters. About 40 people died and about 1100 were injured. After pacifying the strikes, arrests and harassment against their participants began.
The crisis was utilized to escalate the games within the organization leadership. On 16 December 1970 a gathering of Deputy Prime Minister Piotr Jaroszewicz and Prime Minister ZSRS took place in Moscow Aleksey Kosygin. It was then decided to replace the KC PZPR Secretary. The Soviets opposed the surrender of this post to Mieczysław Moczar, supporting long-established Edward Gierek, a erstwhile associate of the Pulalian faction.
On December 20, 1970, Obedient to Brezhniew KC PZPR chose him as the fresh I secretary. Jaroszewicz became Prime Minister. Gomulko saved his life; he was only forced to retire.
Previous entry from our calendar is available Here.
