Catalogue Number
NMLH.2022.371.72
Object Name
Badge
Title
Defend Our Unions / Solidarnosc / East and West
Place
Poland; Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR)
People
SolidarnoÅÄ
Events
USSR; Poland Elections 1989
Description
Yellow badge, "Defend Our Unions, SolidarnoÅÄ, East and West"
SolidarnoÅÄ, meaning 'Solidarity', was a Polish trade union, founded in 1980 when the country was a satellite state of the USSR. The union was a significant part of the anti-Soviet movement in Poland, as it followed a programme of encouraging a "Self-governing Republic" for the country. The Polish government soon enacted a martial law in 1981, with which it tried to destroy the union, and repressed the union in the following years. However, SolidarnoÅÄ continued to garner support both within Poland and internationally, and the government sat down to talks with the union in 1989. Since the resulting semi-free elections, SolidarnoÅÄ has moved away from political involvement to become a more standard trade union.
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