# December 1970 protests (1970)

URL: https://poland-history.com/timeline/1970-december-1970-protests
Location: Gdańsk
Categories: main-event

Price increases before Christmas triggered strikes in Gdańsk, Gdynia, Szczecin and Elbląg. The army and police fired on workers, killing at least 41, and Edward Gierek replaced Gomułka. 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 (1970), the governing authority was Marian Spychalski (Chairman of the Council of State), together with Władysław Gomułka (First Secretary of the PZPR). Marshal of Poland and former defence minister. December 1970 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
December 1970 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 — December 1970 protests in Poland](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/December_1970_protests_in_Poland)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — December 1970 protests](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=December+1970+protests)
- [Wikipedia — Polish People's Republic (period overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polish_People's_Republic)