„Gazeta Krakowska” wobec NSZZ „Solidarność”: wrzesień 1980 – grudzień 1981
“Gazeta Krakowska” towards the Independent and Self-Governing “Solidarity” Trade Union: September 1980 – December 1981

Summary/Abstract: The emergence of the Independent and Self-Governing “Solidarity” Trade Union following a wave of strikes on the Polish coast in August 1980 polarized the Polish United Workers’ Party. The article discusses the attitude of the editorial board of the Cracow magazine of the PUWP “Gazeta Krakowska” (“Gazeta Południowa” until 31 December 1980) towards “Solidarity” in the period from September 1980 (i.e. the end of the strikes on the coast) until 13 December 1981) (i.e. the introduction of martial law). It also describes divisions within the Party. Based on a critical analysis of source evidence, the author specifies several problems: support for “Solidarity’s” operations, the promotion of a moderate stream within the ISGTU “Solidarity”, the intention to mediate between the PUWP and “Solidarity” and the appeal to both parties to refrain from engaging in a power struggle. Furthermore, the article presents the critical opinions of party activists about the approach of “Gazety Krakowska” toward the “Solidarity” movement. Research was mainly based on press articles published by “Gazeta Krakowska” during the period from September 1980 until December 1981. The article was additionally based on the files stored by the National Archive in Cracow and by the Archive of the Institute of National Remembrance in Cracow. The author also interviewed Jerzy Sadecki and Zbigniew Regucki.

• Details
• Contents