AQA · A-Level · History
Course version: 7042 · Version from Sept 2017
The USSR and the Soviet Empire, 1953–2000 (A-level only) – 'Real existing…
Full specification wording
2T The Crisis of Communism: The USSR and the Soviet Empire, 1953–2000 (A-level only) – 'Real existing Socialism', 1968–1980: Strikes and demonstrations in Poland; the emergence of Solidarity in 1980 and the reaction of the Polish government and USSR
In 1980, economic stagnation and sudden food price rises triggered widespread strikes across Poland, notably at the Lenin Shipyard in Gdańsk.
Checked against the AQA 7042 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 4 of 4
- 3 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
In 1980, economic stagnation and sudden food price rises triggered widespread strikes across Poland, notably at the Lenin Shipyard in Gdańsk. Led by Lech Wałęsa, these demonstrations culminated in the Gdańsk Agreement, birthing Solidarity—the first independent trade union in a Warsaw Pact state. The Polish government, led by Edward Gierek, capitulated to avoid a general strike, granting unprecedented concessions. Gierek was swiftly replaced by Stanisław Kania. The USSR viewed this ideological breach with profound alarm. Fearing a domino effect, Moscow exerted immense political and military pressure, conducting Warsaw Pact military exercises near the border to intimidate the Polish leadership into restoring orthodox communist control.
What earns the marks
- Identify the economic catalysts for the 1980 strikes, specifically the government's announcement of meat price increases.
- Explain the significance of the 21 Demands formulated by the Inter-Enterprise Strike Committee (MKS) in Gdańsk.
- Analyse the Polish government's initial strategy of appeasement under Gierek, culminating in the signing of the Gdańsk Agreement in August 1980.
- Evaluate the Soviet Union's response, including the Brezhnev Doctrine's implicit threat and the use of military manoeuvres to pressure Polish authorities.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Claiming the USSR immediately invaded Poland in 1980.
Put it right: The USSR threatened intervention through military exercises but relied on the Polish government to suppress the movement internally.
Describing Solidarity solely as a political party.
Put it right: Solidarity emerged as an independent trade union that evolved into a broad social movement, not a formal political party at this stage.
Confusing the leadership during the Gdańsk Agreement.
Put it right: Edward Gierek was the leader who granted the initial concessions in August 1980; Stanisław Kania succeeded him in September.
Exam tips
- Contrast the Polish government's initial concessions under Gierek in 1980 with the later crackdown to demonstrate the shifting dynamics of communist authority.
- Use the concept of the Brezhnev Doctrine to explain why the USSR felt compelled to intervene politically and militarily in Polish affairs.
- Highlight the role of the Catholic Church, particularly Pope John Paul II, as a crucial moral supporter of the strikes and Solidarity.
Try the lesson
The start of the 2T The Crisis of Communism: The USSR and the Soviet Empire, 1953–2000 (A-level only) – 'Real existing Socialism', 1968–1980: Strikes and demonstrations in Poland; the emergence of Solidarity in 1980 and the reaction of the Polish government and USSR lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which event directly precipitated the widespread strikes in Poland that led to the formation of the Solidarity movement in August 1980?
Listen
In 1980, economic stagnation and sudden food price rises triggered widespread strikes across Poland, notably at the Lenin Shipyard in Gdańsk. Led by Lech Wałęsa, these demonstrations culminated in the Gdańsk Agreement, birthing Solidarity—the first independent trade union in a Warsaw Pact state. The Polish government, led by Edward Gierek, capitulated to avoid a general strike, granting unprecedented concessions. Gierek was swiftly replaced by Stanisław Kania. The USSR viewed this ideological breach with profound alarm. Fearing a domino effect, Moscow exerted immense political and military pressure, conducting Warsaw Pact military exercises near the border to intimidate the Polish leadership into restoring orthodox communist control. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Identify the economic catalysts for the 1980 strikes, specifically the government's announcement of meat price increases. Explain the significance of the 21 Demands formulated by the Inter-Enterprise Strike Committee (MKS) in Gdańsk. Analyse the Polish government's initial strategy of appeasement under Gierek, culminating in the signing of the Gdańsk Agreement in August 1980. Evaluate the Soviet Union's response, including the Brezhnev Doctrine's implicit threat and the use of military manoeuvres to pressure Polish authorities. A common slip: Claiming the USSR immediately invaded Poland in 1980. Instead, The USSR threatened intervention through military exercises but relied on the Polish government to suppress the movement internally. Exam tip: Contrast the Polish government's initial concessions under Gierek in 1980 with the later crackdown to demonstrate the shifting dynamics of communist authority.
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Solidarity
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Gdańsk Agreement
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Brezhnev Doctrine
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See every definition
- Solidarity
- The first independent trade union in a Warsaw Pact state, which emerged in 1980 and evolved into a broad social movement.
- Gdańsk Agreement
- The agreement signed in August 1980 in which the Polish government granted unprecedented concessions to avoid a general strike.
- Brezhnev Doctrine
- A doctrine whose implicit threat was part of the Soviet Union's response to the ideological breach in Poland.
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