Different ways of expressing freedom

of though, expression and information

with reference to national facts in the course of history:

 

 

 

1.      Mediaeval times - Poland comes to existence in X century - no rights for the citizens apart from the privileged groups, eg. knights.

 

2.      1180 - assembly in Łęczyca -Kazimierz Sprawiedliwy, son of Bolesław Krzywousty starts the process of granting immunities (privileges) to Church and knights, which weaken the duke’s power in Poland.

 

3.      Reign of Kazimierz Wielki - partial unification of the law according to the rule „one law in one kingdom”, in 1356 the king sets up the high court, limited monarchy starts to exist, privileges are granted to the Jews

 

4.      1374 in Koszyce king Ludwik Andegaweński grants first general privilege for the gentry (lowering taxes)

 

5.      XV century – development of gentry democracy. Thanks to the privileges granted by the sovereigns, gentry has the biggest influence on life, politics, economy and society in Poland.

(Niemnem captivabimus sine victum - the king is not able to convict a nobleman without a court verdict. 1430 – 1433 Jedlnia and Kraków).

 

6.  Times of Hussite movement in Europe in 1424. – in Poland Wieluń edict is issued- it forbids

     Hussitism support in Poland

 

7.  1505 - Constitution Nihil Novi which introduces the rule that the king and his heirs cannot enact

     new laws, „nihil novi”(nothing new) without the agreement of senate and parliament

 

8.  Period of Reformation - Poland described as “a country without the burning stakes”

 

a)  1570 in Sandomierz - religious agreement

b)  January 1573 in Warsaw- representatives of gentry, nobility and the Church

     establish a Warsaw Confederation which guarantees religious freedom in Poland,

     accepted by the king Stefan Batory.

c)  in 1573 - The Henrician Articles which state the fundamental principles of

     governance and constitutional law in Poland

 

9.  XVII century brings hostile attitude to people of another faith

 

a)  1658 according to the decision of parliament Arians are forced to leave Poland

b)  1668 - an act is passed which forbids people changing catholic religion to another

     faith

c)  1718 – the last gathering of Polish parliament

 

10. 3 May 1791 - the first Polish Constitution is passed

 

a)      gentry has all rights and freedoms guaranteed, personal and possession inviolability and power over peasants

b)  townsmen receive wide rights

c)  peasants are protected by country’s government according to the constitution

d)  constintution guarantees personal freedom to people coming from abroad,

     freedom of choosing a place to live, introduces freedom of religion

 

11. After IIIrd partition Poland ceases to exist as a country. On 7 July1807 Napoleon

      forms The Duchy of Warsaw.

 

22 July 1807 - Napoleon gives The Duchy of Warsaw a constitution - abolishment of differences between social groups and feudalism. Constitution abolishes “slavery” of peasants and gives the vote to the gentry and rich people.

 

12. After Napoleon’s defeat  Poland is divided among Austria, Prussia and Germany.

     In 1815 Tsar Alexander I forms Kingdom of Poland . Constitution grants freedom

      of print and personal inviolability. However, constitution is not obeyed by the

      Tsar. The rest of Polish territories also have constitutions.

 

13.  XIX century - fight for gaining freedom starts (November Uprising 1831,

       Cracow Uprising 1846, January Uprising 1863)

 

14.  1848 – Spring of Nations also spreads to Poland’s territory. The Poles fight for

      gaining independence, but also for political freedoms and abolishment of

      censorship. Some aims are achieved. In the second half of XIX century

      Germanization and Russification start.

 

15.  At the beginning of XX century governments of invadors still limit rights and

       freedoms of the Poles.

 

a)       1901 - German school authorities introduce teaching religion in German- strikes

       of parents and students start.

b)  1904 governments of invaders fight against Polish national identity, introduce so-

      called exceptional laws, introduce a ban on building new houses without  the

      permission of German authorities.

c)  1908 - Colonization Commission has the right to dispossess Polish citizens of

     their landing estates, public gatherings and assemblies can only be conducted in

     German

 

16.  After I World War –11 November1918 - Poland finally wins independence,

        Regains its statehood, the process of forming the country starts.

 

a)  1919 - Legislative Sejm gives the vote to women.

b)  17 March 1921 – a Polish constitution is established. It guarantees freedom of

      speech, freedom of assembly, equal rights, religious tolerance, confidentiality of

     correspondence.

c)  1926 – a coup d’etat which results in introducing authoritarian rule, the period of

      Piłsudski rule starts- restriction of political and civic rights for citizens (setting up

      prisons for political prisoners- opposition against the government - Brześć on Bug River)

d)  23 April 1935 - a constitution is passed. According to it, a citizen is obliged to

     submit to the public interest which means the interest of the state. Common good

     is a guarantee of freedom rights.

 

17. After II World War Poland becomes a country that politically and economically

       depends on the Soviet Union

 

a)  1946 - a referendum is held, it’s results are falsified

b)  4 July 1946 – Kielce rout

c)  lists for Legislative Sejm 1947 are also falsified

d)  to strenghten its position  the government launches a reign of terror (The Ministry

     of Public Security of Poland, Citizens’ Militia)

e)  40ties and 50ties of XX century – Stalinist period- complete submission of Poland

     to the Soviet Union, Polish United Workers’ Party has the monopoly on power.

f)  1950-53 - the last stage of elimination of Polish underground opposition.

g)  22 July 1952 - constitution of  People’s Republic of Poland .

h)  1949 - 1955 fight with catholic Church

i)  riots of workers, university students and the intelligentsia (October 1956, 1968, 1970, 1976)

j)  1978 - workers and farmers form Free Trade Unions

k)  17 August 1980 –The Inter-Enterprise Strike Committee is founded with Lech

     Wałęsa as its chairperson, strikes in the whole country.

l)  September 1980 - NSZZ Solidarity is found ( propaganda attacks, arrests of

    eminent oppositionists), 10 November 1980 - „Solidarity” has its own weekly

    magazine ”Solidarity”, editor Tadeusz Mazowiecki

ł)  1980 Free Trade Union of Individual Farmers „Solidarity” is registered

m)  night from 12 to 13 December 1981 - martial law is introduced in Poland (armed

      soldiers in the streets, power in the hands of Military Council of National

      Salvation (WRON)

human rights are restricted, members of Solidarity are arrested or interned, ban on organizing strikes is introduced, freedom of travel is limited, there are fights in a coal mine „Wujek” – 9 coalminers are killed. In October 1982 NSZZ ”Solidarity” is formally announced illegal.

n)  6 February 1989 – deliberations of “a round table”- a period of political,

     economic and social  transformation.

o)  2 April 1997 - a Polish Constitution is established. It gives wide rights and

     freedoms to all citizens.

 

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