Poland2

= Poland Period 2 =  **By Erin Mangano and Dylan Maag**   1. Political Unrest 2. Economic Turmoil
 * General Themes** 

**1950**   - The Order-Neisse Line<span style="color: rgb(197, 2, 76)"><span style="color: rgb(197, 2, 76)"><span style="color: rgb(253, 18, 138)">      <span style="color: rgb(197, 2, 76)"><span style="color: rgb(197, 2, 76)"><span style="color: rgb(197, 2, 76)"><span style="color: rgb(197, 2, 76)"><span style="color: rgb(197, 2, 76)"><span style="color: rgb(253, 18, 138)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">      <span style="color: rgb(236, 70, 147)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">   <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">is recognized by Poland and East Germany which gives Poland territory  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"> that was previously German's as compensation for Polish territory that was claimed by Soviet Union during WWII.( <span style="color: rgb(197, 72, 229)"> POLITICAL  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"> )  <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif"> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 135)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">**1955** <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 135)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">  <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">- Poland joins the <span style="color: rgb(197, 2, 76)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">Warsaw Pack Defense Organisation  <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">. <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">( <span style="color: rgb(197, 72, 229)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">POLITICAL  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">)  <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif"> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 135)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">**1956** <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 135)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">  <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">- <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif"><span style="background: rgb(153, 204, 255) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial">Rioting in Pozan over demands for greater freedom. <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif"> ( <span style="color: rgb(197, 72, 229)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">SOCIAL <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">) <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 135)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">**1956** <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 135)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">  <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">- <span style="color: rgb(255, 51, 102)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif"><span style="background-color: rgb(153, 204, 255); color: rgb(197, 2, 76)">Władysław Gomułka   <span style="color: rgb(10, 10, 10)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif"><span style="background: rgb(153, 204, 255) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial"> became the first secretary of the Polish United Workers (Communist) Party. <span style="color: rgb(10, 10, 10)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif"><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial"> (  <span style="color: rgb(197, 72, 229)"> POLITICAL  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"> )  <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif"> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 135)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">**1957** <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 135)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">  <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">- The communist party won the national parliamentary elections.( <span style="color: rgb(197, 72, 229)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">POLITICAL  <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">) <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"> In March <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 135)"> **1968**  <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 135)">  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"> - protested against the communist regime and an anti-Semitic hysteria followed resulting in thousands of Jews being forced out of Poland. ( <span style="color: rgb(197, 72, 229)"> POLITICAL-SOCIAL  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"> )  <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif"> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 135)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">**1968** <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 135)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">  <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">- <span style="color: rgb(240, 86, 178)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif"><span style="color: rgb(197, 2, 76)">Treaty of Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons   <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">signed by Jerzy Michalowski, states that governments will only pursue peaceful uses of nuclear technology ( <span style="color: rgb(197, 72, 229)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">POLITICAL  <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">) <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 135)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">**1970** <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 135)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">  <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">- <span style="color: rgb(197, 2, 76)"><span style="background: rgb(153, 204, 255) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial">  <span style="color: rgb(236, 91, 162)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif"><span style="background: rgb(153, 204, 255) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial"><span style="color: rgb(197, 2, 76)">Edward Gierek    <span style="color: rgb(3, 3, 3)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif"><span style="background: rgb(153, 204, 255) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial">replaces   <span style="color: rgb(242, 95, 161)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif"><span style="background: rgb(153, 204, 255) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial"><span style="color: rgb(197, 2, 76)">Gomulka    <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif"><span style="background: rgb(153, 204, 255) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial">as the first secretary   <span style="color: rgb(242, 95, 161)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif"><span style="background-color: rgb(153, 204, 255); color: rgb(197, 2, 76)">Polish United Workers   <span style="color: rgb(8, 7, 7)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif"><span style="background: rgb(153, 204, 255) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial"> (Communist) Party. <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"> ( <span style="color: rgb(197, 72, 229)"> POLITICAL  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"> )  <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif"> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 135)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">**1970** <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 135)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">  <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">- <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif"><span style="background: rgb(51, 204, 102) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial">Food price riots in Gdansk but the riots are suppressed. <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">( <span style="color: rgb(197, 72, 229)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">SOCIAL <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">) <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 135)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">**1970s** <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 135)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">  <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">- <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif"><span style="background: rgb(51, 204, 102) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial"> Poland enjoys a little economic prosperity based on foreign loans from the US. <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">( <span style="color: rgb(197, 72, 229)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">ECONOMIC <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">) <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 135)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">**1976** <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 135)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">  <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">- <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif"><span style="background: rgb(51, 204, 102) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial">Poland had to pay back is debts and so prices rose, riots broke out and workers were beaten and arrested by the police  <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">.( <span style="color: rgb(197, 72, 229)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">ECONOMIC  <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">) <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 135)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">**1978** <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 135)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">  <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">- <span style="color: rgb(197, 2, 76)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">Karol Wojtyla  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">, Cardinal of Krakow, first Polish elected Pope also known as  <span style="color: rgb(197, 2, 76)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">Pope John Paul II  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">. <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"> ( <span style="color: rgb(197, 72, 229)"> RELIGIOUS  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"> )  <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif"> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 135)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">**1980-** <span style="color: rgb(8, 8, 8)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif"><span style="background: rgb(153, 204, 255) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial">Strikes and riots Lenin Shipyard-agreement: workers are allowed to organize into independent trade union called <span style="color: rgb(197, 2, 76)">Solidarnosc    <span style="color: rgb(197, 2, 76)"><span style="color: rgb(242, 95, 161)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif"><span style="background: rgb(153, 204, 255) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial">    <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif"><span style="background: rgb(153, 204, 255) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial"><span style="color: rgb(197, 2, 76)"><span style="color: rgb(197, 2, 76)">  or <span style="color: rgb(197, 2, 76)">Solidarity   <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif"><span style="background: rgb(153, 204, 255) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial">. Solidartiy is a strong, non-violent movement and <span style="color: rgb(242, 95, 161)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif"><span style="background: rgb(153, 204, 255) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial"><span style="color: rgb(197, 2, 76)">Lech Walesa    <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif"><span style="background: rgb(153, 204, 255) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial">is elected as the head of it. <span style="color: rgb(197, 72, 229)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif"><span style="background: rgb(153, 204, 255) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial">  <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">( <span style="color: rgb(197, 72, 229)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">POLITICAL  <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">) <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 135)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">**1981** <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 135)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">  <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">- <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif"><span style="background: rgb(153, 204, 255) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial">Martial law imposed. Solidarity's leaders, including Walesa, are imprisoned. <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">( <span style="color: rgb(197, 72, 229)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">POLITICAL <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">) <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 135)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">**1981** <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 135)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">  <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">- Pope John Paul II was shot by Mehmet Ali Agca in St. Peter's Square.( <span style="color: rgb(197, 72, 229)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">RELIGIOUS  <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">) <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 135)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">**1983** <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 135)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">  <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">- Martial law lifted.( <span style="color: rgb(197, 72, 229)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">POLITICAL  <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">) <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 135)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">**1989** <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 135)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">  <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">- <span style="color: rgb(197, 2, 76)">Round-Table talks  <span style="color: rgb(197, 2, 76)"><span style="color: rgb(242, 95, 161)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">   <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif"> between Solidarity, the Communists and the church. Free elections and a coalition government result in widespread success for Solidarity.( <span style="color: rgb(197, 72, 229)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">POLITICAL <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">) <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 135)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">**1989** <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 135)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">  <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">- <span style="color: rgb(242, 95, 161)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif"><span style="color: rgb(197, 2, 76)">Tadeusz Mazowiecki   <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">is appointed prime minister. Poland is the first is the first country in the Soviet bloc to have a non-communist prime minister, since the 1940s.( <span style="color: rgb(197, 72, 229)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">POLITICAL <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">) <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 135)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">**1990** <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 135)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">  <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">- Lech Walesa is elected president of Poland- launches market reforms.( <span style="color: rgb(197, 72, 229)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">POLITICAL  <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">) <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 135)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">**1990** <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 135)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">  <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">- <span style="color: rgb(242, 95, 161)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif"><span style="color: rgb(197, 2, 76)">German-Polish Border Treaty   <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">is signed.( <span style="color: rgb(197, 72, 229)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">POLITICAL  <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">) <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 135)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">**1992** <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 135)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">  <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">- Soviet troops leave Poland.( <span style="color: rgb(197, 72, 229)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">SOCIAL  <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">) <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 135)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">**1994** <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 135)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">  <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">- Poland joins <span style="color: rgb(242, 95, 161)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif"><span style="color: rgb(197, 2, 76)">NATO's Partnership for Peace   <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">program, signed by 23 other countries.( <span style="color: rgb(197, 72, 229)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">POLITICAL  <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">) <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 135)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">**1995** <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 135)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">  <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">- <span style="color: rgb(197, 2, 76)">Aleksander Kwasniewski  <span style="color: rgb(197, 2, 76)"><span style="color: rgb(242, 95, 161)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">   <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">, a former Communist, is elected president of Poland.( <span style="color: rgb(197, 72, 229)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">POLITICAL  <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">) <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 135)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">**1997** <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 135)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">  <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">- Poland adopts a new constitution and <span style="color: rgb(242, 95, 161)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif"><span style="color: rgb(197, 2, 76)">Jerzy Buzek   <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">forms a coalition government.( <span style="color: rgb(197, 72, 229)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">POLITICAL  <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">) <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 135)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">**1999** <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 135)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">  <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">- Poland joins <span style="color: rgb(197, 2, 76)">NATO  <span style="color: rgb(197, 2, 76)"><span style="color: rgb(242, 95, 161)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">   <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">. ( <span style="color: rgb(197, 72, 229)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">POLITICAL <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">) <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 135)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">**2001** <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 135)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">  <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">- Poland allows citizens to see secret police files from the communist era. ( <span style="color: rgb(197, 72, 229)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">SOCIAL <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">) <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 135)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">**2001** <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 135)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">  <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">- New coalition between the <span style="color: rgb(197, 2, 76)">Democratic Left Alliance (SLD)  <span style="color: rgb(197, 2, 76)"><span style="color: rgb(197, 2, 76)"><span style="color: rgb(242, 95, 161)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">    <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif"> and the <span style="color: rgb(242, 95, 161)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif"><span style="color: rgb(197, 2, 76)">Peasants' Party   <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">forms government. The Democratic Left Alliance's leader, <span style="color: rgb(197, 2, 76)">Leszek Miller <span style="color: rgb(197, 2, 76)"> <span style="color: rgb(197, 2, 76)"><span style="color: rgb(242, 95, 161)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">   <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">, is it's prime minister. ( <span style="color: rgb(197, 72, 229)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">POLITICAL <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">) <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 135)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">**2002** <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 135)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">  <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">- Poland is invited to be a member in the <span style="color: rgb(242, 95, 161)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif"><span style="color: rgb(197, 2, 76)">European Union   <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">( <span style="color: rgb(197, 72, 229)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">POLITICAL  <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">) <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 135)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">**2003** <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 135)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">  <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">- The Polish Peasant's Party is ejected from ruling coalition government because of their failure to vote with government on tax. ( <span style="color: rgb(197, 72, 229)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">POLITICAL <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">) <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 135)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">**2003** <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 135)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">  <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">- Poles vote in favor of joining EU. ( <span style="color: rgb(197, 72, 229)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">POLITICAL <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">) <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 135)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">**2004** <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 135)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">  <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">- Out of 10 new states to join the European Union, Poland is one of them. Prime Minister Miller resigns and is succeeded by former minister of finance, <span style="color: rgb(197, 2, 76)">Marek Belka <span style="color: rgb(197, 2, 76)"><span style="color: rgb(242, 95, 161)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">   <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">. ( <span style="color: rgb(197, 72, 229)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">POLITICAL <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">) <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 135)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">**2004** <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 135)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">  <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">- Poland joins the European Union ( <span style="color: rgb(197, 72, 229)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">POLITICAL  <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">) <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 135)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">**2005** <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 135)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">  <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">- In general elections, the <span style="color: rgb(242, 95, 161)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif"><span style="color: rgb(197, 2, 76)">Conservative Law and Justice Party   <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">comes first. ( <span style="color: rgb(197, 72, 229)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">POLITICAL <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">) <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 135)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">**2005** <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 135)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">  <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">- Conservative Law and Justice Party's <span style="color: rgb(242, 95, 161)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif"><span style="color: rgb(197, 2, 76)">Lech Walesa   <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">wins presidential election. In the minority government, led by Kazimierz Marcinkiewicz of the Conservative Law and Justice Party, is sworn in. ( <span style="color: rgb(197, 72, 229)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">POLITICAL <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">) <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 135)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">**2005** <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 135)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">  <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">- Pope John Paul II died after serving 26 years. ( <span style="color: rgb(197, 72, 229)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">RELIGIOUS <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">) <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 135)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">**2006** <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 135)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">  <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">- The roof of Katowice trade center collapses and many are killed. ( <span style="color: rgb(197, 72, 229)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">SOCIAL <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">) <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 135)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">**2006** <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 135)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">  <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">- The Conservative Law and Justice Party reaches a coalition agreement with <span style="color: rgb(242, 95, 161)"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; color: rgb(197, 2, 76)">Self-Defense Party and League of Polish Families  <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">. ( <span style="color: rgb(197, 72, 229)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">POLITICAL <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">) <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 135)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">**2006** <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 135)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">  <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">- Kazimierz Marcinkiewicz resigns as prime minister and is succeeded by president Lech Walesa brother, <span style="color: rgb(242, 95, 161)"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; color: rgb(197, 2, 76)">Jaroslaw  <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">. ( <span style="color: rgb(197, 72, 229)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">POLITICAL <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">) <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 135)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">**2007** <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 135)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">  <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">- <span style="color: rgb(242, 95, 161)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif"><span style="color: rgb(197, 2, 76)">Stanislaw Wielgus   <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">is elected Archbishop of Warsaw, but resigns over information about his operation with the secret police under communist rule. ( <span style="color: rgb(197, 72, 229)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">POLITICAL <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">) <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 135)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">**2007** <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 135)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">  <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">- Charges are brought against General Jaruzelski, a former communist leader, over his role in introducing martial law in 1981. ( <span style="color: rgb(197, 72, 229)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">POLITICAL <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">) <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 135)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">**2007** <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 135)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">  <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">- <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif"><span style="background: rgb(153, 204, 255) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial"> The governing coalition collapses- early election occurs. <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif"> ( <span style="color: rgb(197, 72, 229)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">POLITICAL <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">) <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 135)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">**2007** <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 135)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">  <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">- In the general election, the liberal, pro-European <span style="color: rgb(242, 95, 161)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif"><span style="color: rgb(197, 2, 76)">Union Civic Platform party   <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">wins. ( <span style="color: rgb(197, 72, 229)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">POLITICAL <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">) <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 135)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">**2008** <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 135)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">  <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">- The Polish government makes an agreement with the United States to be a principle to host a controversial American missile defense system. ( <span style="color: rgb(197, 72, 229)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">POLITICAL <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">) country in the Soviet bloc to have a non-communist prime minister, since the 1940s.( <span style="color: rgb(197, 72, 229)"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">POLITICAL  <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif">)