Dissent Movements in Eastern Europe: Czechoslovakia and Poland
The Role of Dissent in the Brezhnev Era
- Economic Distress: Shortages of consumer goods and rising food prices fueled discontent.
- Political Repression: Strict government control stifled freedom of expression and political participation.
- Cultural Resistance: Intellectuals and artists used their work to challenge the regime.
Dissent in Eastern Europe was not uniform. While some countries like Hungary pursued limited reforms, others like Czechoslovakia and Poland saw more organized resistance.
Czechoslovakia: Charter 77 and Václav Havel
- The Legacy of the Prague Spring: The 1968 uprising was crushed, but it left a lasting desire for reform.
- Cultural Resistance: The arrest of the rock band Plastic People of the Universe in 1976 sparked outrage among intellectuals.
- Charter 77:
- Founded: In 1977 by Václav Havel and others.
- Purpose: To demand the government uphold human rights as promised in the Helsinki Accords.
- Impact: Signatories faced severe reprisals, including job loss, exile, and imprisonment.
- Václav Havel's Leadership:
- Arrest and Writings: Havel was imprisoned in 1979 but continued to inspire dissent through essays like "The Power of the Powerless."
- Philosophy: He urged individuals to "live in truth" as a form of resistance.
Charter 77 used the government's own commitments against it, highlighting the gap between official promises and reality.
NoteHavel's decision to remain in Czechoslovakia, despite offers of exile, symbolized his commitment to the cause.
Poland: The Rise of Solidarity
- Economic Crisis:
- Foreign Debt: Poland's economy was crippled by massive debt.
- Rising Prices: Food price hikes in 1980 triggered widespread strikes.
- The Birth of Solidarity:
- Catalyst: The dismissal of Anna Walentynowicz from the Gdańsk Shipyard.
- Leadership: Lech Wałęsa emerged as a key figure, leading strikes that paralyzed the economy.
- Gdańsk Agreement: In August 1980, the government conceded to demands for independent trade unions, leading to the formation of Solidarity.


