# Polish October (1956)

URL: https://poland-history.com/timeline/1956-polish-october
Location: Warsaw
Categories: main-event

Amid popular pressure, Władysław Gomułka returned as party leader in October 1956 and faced down a Soviet delegation led by Khrushchev. Collectivisation was reversed and Cardinal Wyszyński freed. Within the broader People'S Republic period: Shifted westward and placed under communist rule, Poland rebuilt from the war but repeatedly rose against the regime, until the Solidarity movement forced a negotiated transition in 1989. At this point in the timeline (21 October 1956), the governing authority was Aleksander Zawadzki (Chairman of the Council of State), together with Władysław Gomułka (First Secretary of the PZPR). First chairman of the collective head of state created by the 1952 constitution. Polish October mattered because it altered the structure of power and the direction of Polish statehood. The event is placed here so readers can follow it alongside changes in government, warfare, society, religion and culture across Polish history.

## Why it matters
Polish October mattered because it altered the structure of power and the direction of Polish statehood.

Ruler at the time: [August Zaleski](https://poland-history.com/rulers/august-zaleski)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Polish October](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polish_October)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Polish October](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Polish+October)
- [Wikipedia — Polish People's Republic (period overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polish_People's_Republic)