During the initial impositions of martial law, several dozen people were killed. The amount of social opposition was impressive. Those who avoided arrest started to reconstruct ‘Solidarity’ in the underground. The trade union was made illegal and most of its leaders were interned. Introduction of Martial Law was a general strike for “Solidarity”. It was clear that the new regime wanted to mercilessly crack down on the opposition. Similarly, the mass media, public transportation and educational institutions were placed under strict control. Another restriction of freedom was an imposition of curfew. Telephone lines were controlled, airports closed and mail regulated by censorship. Moreover, the streets were filled with tanks and armed soldiers. Multiple organisations and pro-democratic movements, including ‘Solidarity’, became illegal overnight. For those who were already abroad, closed borders meant that coming back to the country was not possible at all. Those who were not – were intimidated, forced to stop their activity or emigrate. Thus started severe repressions – many people were arrested and imprisoned. For the Poles however, it meant putting an end to the hopes for political and civic freedoms. Jaruzelski declared that his intention was to maintain “legal balance of the country, to create guarantees that give a chance to restore order and discipline” and “save the country from collapse”. Each day delivers new blows to the waning economy. State structures are ceasing to function. The achievements of many generations and the Polish home that has been built up from the dust are about to turn into ruins. I address you concerning extraordinarily important questions. Today I address myself to you as a soldier and as the head of the Polish government. Appearing on television, in the only available channel, Jaruzelski said: On Sunday morning, 13 December 1981, millions of Poles awoke to find that the entire country was placed under a state of martial law. His decision was an act of self-defence, necessary to keep the hold on the country. General Jaruzelski - Prime Minister and the First Secretary of The Party - believed that without Martial Law, the military intervention was inevitable. Plans for reconsolidation of power were prepared in secret. On the other hand, there was pressure of dissatisfied Kremlin and its threats of supposed armed intervention. Poland’s economy had practically collapsed. The Party itself was divided by factional struggles and confusion in the leadership. It could not cope with the expansion and pressure of ‘Solidarity’ movement, its growing popularity and demands to extract reforms from the government. In 1980-1981 the Communist Party of Poland suffered from a substantial crisis. An authoritarian government, led by General Wojciech Jaruzelski and the Military Council of National Salvation (WRON), introduced severe political oppression in an attempt to crush political opposition. 13 December marks the anniversary of introduction of Martial Law in Poland.
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