Worker protests against food price hikes were suppressed by military force, killing at least 44 and precipitating a change in Polish communist leadership.
Key Facts
- Date range
- 14–19 December 1970
- Deaths
- At least 44 people
- Wounded
- More than 1,000 people
- Geographic scope
- Northern Poland (Baltic coast region)
- Primary cause
- Sudden increases in food and consumer goods prices
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The Polish communist government announced a sudden and sharp increase in the prices of food and other everyday consumer items in December 1970, while wages remained stagnant. This abrupt deterioration in living standards provoked widespread anger among the working-class population, particularly in northern Poland's coastal industrial cities.
From 14 to 19 December 1970, workers across northern Poland staged strikes and street protests against the price increases. The Polish People's Army and the Citizen's Militia were deployed to suppress the unrest, opening fire on demonstrators. At least 44 people were killed and more than 1,000 were wounded during the crackdown.
The violent suppression of the protests and the scale of casualties proved politically untenable for the ruling party. The events directly contributed to the removal of First Secretary Władysław Gomułka and a shift in Polish communist leadership, with Edward Gierek taking power and subsequently reversing the price increases.
Political Outcome
Protests were suppressed by military and militia force; at least 44 killed and over 1,000 wounded, leading to a change in Polish communist party leadership.
Władysław Gomułka-led Polish United Workers' Party government
Edward Gierek assumed leadership following Gomułka's removal