# Poznań protests (1956)

URL: https://poland-history.com/timeline/1956-poznan-protests
Location: Poznań
Categories: main-event

Workers of Poznań's Cegielski factory went on strike over pay and food prices, and the protest became a revolt against the regime. The army suppressed it, killing at least 57 people. 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 (28 June 1956), the governing authority was Aleksander Zawadzki (Chairman of the Council of State). First chairman of the collective head of state created by the 1952 constitution. Poznań protests mattered because collective action by ordinary people challenged those in power and changed Polish society. 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
Poznań protests mattered because collective action by ordinary people challenged those in power and changed Polish society.

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

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — 1956 Poznań protests](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1956_Pozna%C5%84_protests)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Poznań protests](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Pozna%C5%84+protests)
- [Wikipedia — Polish People's Republic (period overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polish_People's_Republic)