Československo a polská krize 1980–1981
Czechoslovakia and the Polish Crisis 1980–1982

Summary/Abstract: The main subject of this historical study is Czechoslovak reactions to the Polish crisis of the early 1980s. The author primarily looks at the position of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia, the activities of the security apparatus, the position of the Polish minority, Polish stereotypes and the opposition movement’s view of the Polish crisis. Representatives of the Communist Party feared the spreading of the Polish „infection“, the worsening of the financial situation and the repeated system crises seen at the end of the 1960s. For that reason, they engaged in long-term criticism of the leadership of the Polish United Workers’ Party and backed the violent halting of the Solidarity „carnival“. In December 1980, on the basis of orders from Warsaw Pact leadership, selected units of the Czechoslovak People’s Army were put on battle alert for several days. Gradually, tourist travel between the two states was limited, although it was fully renewed in 1981. Within the framework of various operations (the biggest was named „North“ and took place in the years 1981–1984), the security apparatus attempted to restrict unofficial contacts, particularly between opposition and religious activists. They also closely monitored members of the Polish minority. As part of the operation „Circle“ the State Security implemented a slew of preventative measures and created plans to suppress any strikes held at industrial plants. The official Czechoslovak media launched an extensive propaganda campaign criticising the activities of Solidarity and reinforcing „anti-Polish“ stereotypes among the domestic society. Developments in Poland gave encouragement to the fragmented Czechoslovak opposition movement and religious activists. Charter 77 monitored the situation in the neighbouring state with interest and its spokespersons expressed support for Solidarity in a number of documents.

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