Dissent movements Notes

Dissent Movements in Eastern Europe: Czechoslovakia and Poland

The Role of Dissent in the Brezhnev Era

1. Economic Distress: Shortages of consumer goods and rising food prices fueled discontent.
2. Political Repression: Strict government control stifled freedom of expression and political participation.
3. Cultural Resistance: Intellectuals and artists used their work to challenge the regime.

Czechoslovakia: Charter 77 and Václav Havel

1. The Legacy of the Prague Spring: The 1968 uprising was crushed, but it left a lasting desire for reform.
2. Cultural Resistance: The arrest of the rock band Plastic People of the Universe in 1976 sparked outrage among intellectuals.
3. Charter 77:
   1. Founded: In 1977 by Václav Havel and others.
   2. Purpose: To demand the government uphold human rights as promised in the Helsinki Accords.
   3. Impact: Signatories faced severe reprisals, including job loss, exile, and imprisonment.
4. Václav Havel's Leadership:
   1. Arrest and Writings: Havel was imprisoned in 1979 but continued to inspire dissent through essays like "The Power of the Powerless."
   2. Philosophy: He urged individuals to "live in truth" as a form of resistance.

Poland: The Rise of Solidarity

1. Economic Crisis:
   1. Foreign Debt: Poland's economy was crippled by massive debt.
   2. Rising Prices: Food price hikes in 1980 triggered widespread strikes.
2. The Birth of Solidarity:
   1. Catalyst: The dismissal of Anna Walentynowicz from the Gdańsk Shipyard.
   2. Leadership: Lech Wałęsa emerged as a key figure, leading strikes that paralyzed the economy.
   3. Gdańsk Agreement: In August 1980, the government conceded to demands for independent trade unions, leading to the formation of Solidarity.