Centrum władzy wobec kryzysu 1976 roku
The centre of power, faced with the 1976 crisis

Summary/Abstract: Generally, the article is dedicated to the crisis management on the part of the communist elites, as exemplified by the events of June 1976. The social genesis of the protest is sketched in the introduction: the hopes accompanying the Polish version of “goulash socialism” and the gradual deterioration of the economic situation after 1973. The elections to the Sejm, which were held in early 1976, and where the turnout, according to the official data, amounted to 98.27% of those entitled to vote, are also recalled. It goes on to describe the behind the scenes preparation for the “prices operation”, its course and the scale of the price rises, and thus eventually arrives at the workers’ protest. The final section is dedicated to the rulers' attempts to restore their prestige by arranging rallies in support of “Comrade Gierek”.

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