History Sourcework
Paper 2, 2010.
1) No source B 2) Source D is a speech given by Lech Walesa, the leader of Solidarity, about his trade union and its aims. He states that their goal was never to reach for power but to create a union “founded and shaped by the working people themselves.” He describes Solidarity as a powerful movement for social and moral ‘liberation’. Furthermore, Walesa states that Solidarity never turned against the ruling government and that it was a peaceful movement. He later claims that the problems which Poland is facing can only be overcome by dialogue between the government and the people.
This speech contrasts sharply with source C, which is material created by the Polish Government. The source contradicts the points which Walesa claims in his speech. For example, source C says that an anti communist opposition will be established in the form of a “free and independent trade union,” referring to Solidarity. However, Walesa claims that the union was not an opponent to the government in any way. Source C also says that political chaos will be created through strikes and demands for higher wages, aimed at disrupting and weakening the economy. Solidarity was formed when strikes were held demanding, along with other things, higher wages. The source further claims that strikes organized by the union are aimed at applying political pressure to the government, reducing and eliminating the power of the party. Source D, on the other hand, says that Walesa believed that the solution to Poland’s problems lay in cooperating with the government, not working against it. He clearly stated that Solidarity did not “turn against the established constitutional order.”
However, neither source is entirely reliable. Source C is biased against the trade union because it was created by the Polish government, who opposed Solidarity. The speech is also not entirely true. Solidarity did begin its own political agenda, not long after its establishment. It was seen as a
1) No source B 2) Source D is a speech given by Lech Walesa, the leader of Solidarity, about his trade union and its aims. He states that their goal was never to reach for power but to create a union “founded and shaped by the working people themselves.” He describes Solidarity as a powerful movement for social and moral ‘liberation’. Furthermore, Walesa states that Solidarity never turned against the ruling government and that it was a peaceful movement. He later claims that the problems which Poland is facing can only be overcome by dialogue between the government and the people.
This speech contrasts sharply with source C, which is material created by the Polish Government. The source contradicts the points which Walesa claims in his speech. For example, source C says that an anti communist opposition will be established in the form of a “free and independent trade union,” referring to Solidarity. However, Walesa claims that the union was not an opponent to the government in any way. Source C also says that political chaos will be created through strikes and demands for higher wages, aimed at disrupting and weakening the economy. Solidarity was formed when strikes were held demanding, along with other things, higher wages. The source further claims that strikes organized by the union are aimed at applying political pressure to the government, reducing and eliminating the power of the party. Source D, on the other hand, says that Walesa believed that the solution to Poland’s problems lay in cooperating with the government, not working against it. He clearly stated that Solidarity did not “turn against the established constitutional order.”
However, neither source is entirely reliable. Source C is biased against the trade union because it was created by the Polish government, who opposed Solidarity. The speech is also not entirely true. Solidarity did begin its own political agenda, not long after its establishment. It was seen as a