Poland at the crossroads: the change from Communism to capitalism means freedom--and uncertainty.If you took a trip to a village in eastern Poland, you might think you were also traveling back in time. You could see horse-drawn carts on dirt roads and old women wearing head scarves scarves n. A plural of scarf1. scarves Noun a plural of scarf1 . Suppose you then went to one of the region's big cities--like Poland's capital, Warsaw. You'd hardly think you were in the same country. The streets are clogged with new cars and people sporting the latest fashions. There are supermarkets, billboards, and fast-food places, just like in the U.S. Poland today is at the crossroads between East and West, old and new, Communist and capitalist. For the first time in centuries, most Poles believe that they can finally live in peace and freedom. Young people are excited about the new opportunities opening up since the fall of Communism in 1989. But for many of their parents, the transition (change) to a capitalist economy has meant unemployment and uncertainty. Joining the European Union European Union (EU), name given since the ratification (Nov., 1993) of the Treaty of European Union, or Maastricht Treaty, to the European Community Poland and nine other nations will join the European Union, or EU, on May 1 (see map, p. 13). Membership will bring many advantages in trade and economic vitality to Poland, which is now a close U.S. military ally. The EU currently has 15 members--including Britain, France, Germany, and Spain--that cooperate economically and politically. The Polish government has worked hard to meet the EU's high membership standards in such areas as agricultural, environmental, and food-safety regulations. But many Poles, especially farmers, wonder if the sacrifice will be worth it. Just ask the father of Tomek Rusilowicz (Roo-si-WOE-vich). Tomek's dad owns a 27-acre farm in Dobrzyniowka (Dob-zhee-NYOV-ka), a village in eastern Poland. The family makes about $250 a month. Mr. Rusilowicz fears that when Poland joins the EU, only large farms will be profitable in the European market. As the country opens up to Western Europe Western Europe The countries of western Europe, especially those that are allied with the United States and Canada in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (established 1949 and usually known as NATO). , many ordinary Poles worry that their small farms will be unable to compete. For Poland's agricultural workers, an entire way of life is threatened. With so few opportunities, a career in farming holds little interest to Tomek, 13. "I don't want to be a farmer," he says. "I want to be a computer programmer." But Tomek has never used the Internet--neither his family nor his school his a computer. Tomek's two older brothers have also given up the idea of taking over the farm, which has been in the family for generations. The generous subsidies (government aid) from which their father once benefited have been discontinued. "It used to be much better because I could afford to have more animals," says Tomek's father. "If I found a good job, I'd move to the city and leave this all behind." He says he would even consider working in a more affluent (wealthy) country for a while. Poles have a long tradition of going abroad to escape hardship at home. Many come to America. Others work as seasonal laborers (workers) on farms in Germany or France. Most Polish families, it seems, have relatives in the U.S. City Life Tomek has cousins in America. So do Kasia (KAH-shya) and Gosia (GO-shya) Ryczer (REE-cher). The two sisters live with their parents and four older siblings in a suburb of Warsaw. They belong to Poland's growing middle class, which is benefiting from the country's return to democracy and capitalism (free-market system). Their mother is an architect and their father a college professor. Everybody in the Ryczer family speaks English. In fact, Kasia, 15, and Gosia, 13, have been taking private English lessons for the past eight years. The girls find the language useful for surfing the Net and translating their favorite songs by Shakira and Whitney Houston. They also know that speaking foreign languages will someday be helpful for travel abroad. Gosia is eager for Poland to join the EU. "The EU means we can work anywhere if there's no work in Poland," she says. "There won't be any borders, and I won't need a passport. More people will know each other, and we will have more acquaintances. It will be better." From Communism to Freedom Gosia shares a very old Polish wish to be a full member of the European community European Community: see European Union. European Community (EC) Organization formed in 1967 with the merger of the European Economic Community, European Coal and Steel Community, and European Atomic Energy Community. . For centuries, Poland was caught in a tug-of-war between its two powerful neighbors, Germany and Russia. World War II started in Europe in September 1939, when Nazi Germany invaded Poland from the west. As part of a secret deal with Adolph Hitler, Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin attacked Poland a few days later from the east. After the war, which devastated dev·as·tate tr.v. dev·as·tat·ed, dev·as·tat·ing, dev·as·tates 1. To lay waste; destroy. 2. To overwhelm; confound; stun: was devastated by the rude remark. the country, Poland came under Communist rule. Many Poles turned to their Catholic faith for strength. They were especially proud in 1978, when John Paul II John Paul II, 1920–2005, pope (1978–2005), a Pole (b. Wadowice) named Karol Józef Wojtyła; successor of John Paul I. He was the first non-Italian pope elected since the Dutch Adrian VI (1522–23) and the first Polish and Slavic pope. , a strong critic of Communism, became the first Polish Pope. The Vatican leader visited his homeland several times and urged greater freedom for Poles. Two years later, a group of labor unions labor union: see union, labor. named Solidarity began to challenge Poland's Communist government. Both the Pope and Solidarity played key roles in bringing democracy to Eastern Europe Eastern Europe The countries of eastern Europe, especially those that were allied with the USSR in the Warsaw Pact, which was established in 1955 and dissolved in 1991. . For teens like Tomek, Kasia, and Gosia, Communism sounds like ancient history. But older family members have clear memories of that time. "I remember when people had to stand in line at the shops, and it was hard to find flour, cooking oil, even toilet paper!" says Maria, the 25-year-old sister of Kasia and Gosia. Maria says that Poland's new openness has brought many changes to daily life. From the movies they watch to the food they eat, people are changing their lifestyles. "It's a cliche that Polish people only eat pierogi pie·ro·gi also pi·ro·gi n. pl. pierogi also pirogi or pi·ro·gies A semicircular dumpling with any of various fillings, such as finely chopped meat or vegetables, that is often sautéed after being boiled. (stuffed pastry), kielbasa kiel·ba·sa n. A spicy smoked Polish sausage. [Polish kie (sausage), and cabbage," says Maria. "Maybe at Christmas it's more traditional. But now our cuisine is international." In the countryside, the choices in food--and everything else--are not as plentiful as in the city. Besides a strong Catholic Faith, little connects farm kids like Tomek with city children like Kasia and Gosia. Tomek's parents understand that there's no future for him in farming. His mother says he should go to college, and his dad is saving up to buy him a computer. But Tomek's grandfather is not optimistic op·ti·mist n. 1. One who usually expects a favorable outcome. 2. A believer in philosophical optimism. op . "I'm afraid it will get worse," he says. "Tomek will finish school and won't find work." The Ryczer sisters, however, have bright hopes for their future. Kasia wants to travel, and Gosia dreams of becoming an actress or a flutist. "I think I'll live abroad and only come back to Poland from time to time," says Kasia. Her younger sister interrupts her: "Not me. I'd miss too many things here. I'd be back soon." Words to Know * Communism: a system of government in which the state controls the economy and a single party holds power. The objective, which has never been achieved, is to have all goods shared equally by the people. * European Union: It is also known as the EU. An organization of European nations that promotes political and economic cooperation and has successfully removed many barriers to trade and investment. Your Turn WORD MATCH 1. transition A. wealthy 2. subsidies B. workers 3. affluent C. change 4. laborers D. free market 5. capitalism E. government aid THINK ABOUT IT What challenges have Poles faced since the fall of Communism? ANSWERS 1. C 2. E 3. A 4. B 5. D POLAND Throughout its history, Poland has been invaded, conquered, and divided. At times, it was swallowed up by neighboring neigh·bor n. 1. One who lives near or next to another. 2. A person, place, or thing adjacent to or located near another. 3. A fellow human. 4. Used as a form of familiar address. v. countries. After World War II ended, in 1945, the Polish Communists took power and ruled until 1989. Today, Poland is a democratic country that is scheduled to join the European Union next May (see small inset map). FACTS TO KNOW AREA: 124,807 sq mi, about the size of New Mexico New Mexico, state in the SW United States. At its northwestern corner are the so-called Four Corners, where Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah meet at right angles; New Mexico is also bordered by Oklahoma (NE), Texas (E, S), and Mexico (S). . POPULATION: 38,600,000; 62% urban. GOVERNMENT: Presidential-parliamentary democracy. Aleksander Kwasniewski is President. ECONOMY: Poland changed from a Communist, state-run economy to a capitalist, free-market economy free-market economy n → economía de libre mercado free-market economy n → économie f de marché free-market economy n after the Communists lost power in 1989. Poland's economy used to depend on agriculture, but today, industry employs 36% of workers; agriculture, 25%. Most industry is heavy machinery rather than consumer goods consumer goods Any tangible commodity purchased by households to satisfy their wants and needs. Consumer goods may be durable or nondurable. Durable goods (e.g., autos, furniture, and appliances) have a significant life span, often defined as three years or more, and . PER CAPITA [Latin, By the heads or polls.] A term used in the Descent and Distribution of the estate of one who dies without a will. It means to share and share alike according to the number of individuals. GDP GDP (guanosine diphosphate): see guanine. : $9,500. RELIGION: Christianity. A large majority are Roman Catholics. LANGUAGE: Polish. LITERACY: Males, 99%; females, 99%. LIFE EXPECTANCY Life Expectancy 1. The age until which a person is expected to live. 2. The remaining number of years an individual is expected to live, based on IRS issued life expectancy tables. : Males, 70 years; females, 78 years. QUESTIONS 1. What is Poland's capital? -- 2. What river flows through almost the entire distance of Poland from south to north? -- 3. On the north, Poland borders what large body of water? -- 4. What is Krakow's latitude and longitude latitude and longitude Coordinate system by which the position or location of any place on the Earth's surface can be determined and described. Latitude is a measurement of location north or south of the Equator. ? -- 5. How many miles is Poznan from Warsaw? -- 6. What three cities The Three Cities is a collective description of the three fortified cities of Cospicua, Vittoriosa, and Senglea on the Island of Malta, which are enclosed by the massive line of fortification created by the Knights of St John, the Cottonera Lines. on the map are located the farthest east? -- 7. After World War II, Poland's government was controlled by the Communist Party Communist party, in China Communist party, in China, ruling party of the world's most populous nation since 1949 and most important Communist party in the world since the disintegration of the USSR in 1991. . When did Communist control end? -- 8. What country or countries that border Poland belong to the European Union? -- 9. What countries that border Poland are EU candidate members? -- 10. Before 1992, Poland was bordered an the north and east by the Soviet Union. What four countries now border Poland on the north and east? -- ANSWERS 1. Warsaw 2. Vistula River Vistula River Polish Wisla River, Poland. It rises on the northern slope of the Carpathian Mountains in southwestern Poland, flows in a curve through Warsaw and Torun, then empties into the Baltic Sea at Gdansk. Most of its 651 mi (1,047 km) are navigable. 3. Baltic Sea Baltic Sea, arm of the Atlantic Ocean, c.163,000 sq mi (422,170 sq km), including the Kattegat strait, its northwestern extension. The Øresund, Store Bælt, and Lille Bælt connect the Baltic Sea with the Kattegat and Skagerrak straits, which lead to the 4. 50[degrees]N, 20[degrees]E 5. about 185 miles 6. Bialystok, Lublin, Przemysl 7. 1989 8. Germany 9. Czech Republic Czech Republic, Czech Česká Republika (2005 est. pop. 10,241,000), republic, 29,677 sq mi (78,864 sq km), central Europe. It is bordered by Slovakia on the east, Austria on the south, Germany on the west, and Poland on the north. , Slovakia, Lithuania 10. Russia, Lithuania, Belarus, Ukraine LESSON PLANS OBJECTIVES Students should understand * After decades of Communist rule, Poland today faces many challenges as it creates a capitalist and democratic society. TEACHING STRATEGY Ask students to consider what life would be like if the U.S. government owned and controlled most of the businesses and factories that produce America's goods and services In economics, economic output is divided into physical goods and intangible services. Consumption of goods and services is assumed to produce utility (unless the "good" is a "bad"). It is often used when referring to a Goods and Services Tax. . BACKGROUND In 1980, the Polish government was forced to grant workers the right to form labor unions after a successful strike at the Gdansk shipyards. Workers united to organize Solidarity, the first free labor the labor of freemen, as distinguished from that of slaves. See also: Free union permitted in a Communist country. A few months after its founding, Solidarity's membership included more than 10 million of the nation's 37 million inhabitants
The game is based loosely on the concepts from SameGame. . Led by Lech Walesa Noun 1. Lech Walesa - Polish labor leader and statesman (born in 1943) Walesa , the group called for several strikes to pressure Poland's Communist Party for democratic political reforms. THINKING SKILLS COMPREHENSION: Why do some Poles oppose their nation's membership in the European Union (EU)? (Some Poles, especially farmers, fear that the EU market will present too much competition for Poland's smaller Farms.) MAKING INFERENCES: Why do many Poles yearn for their nation to be a full member of Western Europe? (From 1939 to 1989, Poland was either occupied by Nazi Germany or ruled by the Communist Party. Many Poles believe their new democratic government and its developing capitalist economy offer greater freedoms and opportunities today than at any other time in the nation's history.) ACTIVITY THREE POLANDS: Instruct students to write a research paper on one of the following eras in Poland's modern history: Nazi German occupation from 1939 to 1945, Polish Communist Party rule from 1947 to 1989, or democratic Poland from 1989 to today. STANDARDS SOCIAL STUDIES, GRADES 5-8 * Global connections Global Connections is a charitable organisation acting as a UK network of mission agencies, churches, colleges and support agencies involved in evangelism around the world. Amongst the several hundred organisations and churches that are members of the Global Connections network are many : How Poland has undergone great political, social, and economic change since the fall of the nation's Communist Party in 1989. * People, places, and environment: How standards of living and economic opportunities vary among the Polish people, RESOURCES * Cipkowski, Peter, Revolution Eastern Europe (John Wiley John Wiley may refer to:
* Stefoff, Rebecca, Lech Walesa (Fawcett Book Group, 1992). Grades 7-8. WEB SITES * Poland www.odci.gov/cia/publications/ factbook/geos/pl.html * Poland's Labor Movement 1980-1981 www.pbs.org/weta/ forcemorepowerful/poland/ QUICK QUIZ Write the letter of the correct answer on the line provided.
-- 6. Poland will become a member of which organization
in 2004?
A. United Nations
B. North Atlantic Treaty Organization
C. European Union
-- 7. How did many Polish farmers benefit under
Poland's former Communist government?
A. The government provided generous subsidies
to Polish farmers.
B. Polish farmers were able to set prices according
to market trends.
C. Polish farms supplied food and goods for the
Soviet Union military.
-- 8. Which two nations sought to control Poland
before World War II?
A. Nazi Germany and Russia
B. Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union
C. Belarus and Russia
-- 9. Why is Pope John Paul II a popular figure among
Polish Catholics?
A. The Vatican leader urged Poland's former
Communist government to grant greater freedom
to Poles.
B. John Paul II was the first Pole to be elected
Pope.
C. A and B are correct.
-- 10. Which organized group challenged Poland's Communist
government in the 1960s?
A. Polish military veterans
B. Polish legal scholars
C. Polish labor unions
ANSWERS 6. C 7. A 8. B 9. C 10. C |
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