Workers at the Lenin shipyard initiated a strike in 1980, igniting a nationwide movement that culminated in the formation of independent trade unions and the end of communist rule.
Gdańsk's strike was a reaction to rising prices and the firing of union-supportive workers; they made demands known by displaying them publicly, akin to Luther's theses.
The Polish government faced dire optics as the working class resisted its authority, fearing Soviet military intervention amidst their struggle for independent labor rights.
Amid the turmoil, the awareness of potential Soviet intervention was palpable, influencing the Polish government's decision-making and ultimately leading to the suppression of dissent.
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