A Peaceful Revolution
In the 1980s, in Poland, there was a real popular movement that led to the overthrow of the communist government. Although there were many anticommunist intellectuals writing and being read in Poland at the time, the spark that ignited the peaceful revolution that ended Soviet rule was lit not by the educated elite but by the working class: workers at the Lenin shipyard in Gdańsk launched a strike in 1980 that quickly spread to workers across industries and throughout the country. The Interfactory Strike Committee was formed by these workers, who drafted a list with 21 demands. They then wrote down the demands they wanted to make on boards of wood and attached them to the Lenin shipyard’s gates, in an act reminiscent the legend of Martin Luther nailing his 95 theses at the Church of Wittenberg.
The Gdańsk strike was triggered, predictably, by the government raising prices in a price-controlled economy while also denying wage increases. Anna Walentynowicz, a well-known forklift driver, was fired by Lenin Shipyard Managers. They believed that this was a political punishment because she had organized a union. “What?” You might ask. “A communist government opposed to labor unions?” Yes—throughout the Soviet Bloc, only government-authorized labor unions affiliated with the ruling communist parties were permitted. Interfactory Strike Committee demanded the right to create independent unions.
The image of striking workers against a socialist government is a terrible one for any government. As a Warsaw Pact nation, Poland was constantly at risk of USSR military invasion. Nobody knew when or if Moscow would make a decision. “send in the tanks” Like they did in Hungary in 1958 and Czechoslovakia 1968. Brezhnev, the Politburo and others debated this idea as early as 1980. Eventually, they decided against it—in part because the First Secretary of the Polish United Workers’ Party (PZPR), Edward Gierek, feared a national bloodbath. The first round of strikes and protests in Gdańsk had attracted over 700,000 people, and, simply put, the Polish state feared Polish society. PZPR leaders chose to declare martial law instead. This began the decade-long power struggle between the government, the military and the population that culminated with the fall of communism in 1989.
What was so remarkable about the Polish shift to a marketplace economy was its peacefulness. It was mostly due to the widespread social consensus that all Poles, regardless of their political views, agreed the government’s control of the economic system needed to be significantly reduced. The Interfactory Strike Committee led to a new movement, called “Solidarność”Or “Solidarity”Invoking the traditional trade union practice of workers uniting in solidarity to negotiate collectively better wages and conditions, Solidarity has been able to achieve its goal. Solidarity achieved its demand for independent unions. It became the first noncommunist and nongovernment union of the Soviet Bloc.
When the strikes in Gdańsk first erupted, a marginally employed graphic designer, Jerzy Janiszewski, designed a logo for the union based on graffiti that he had seen scrawled on walls in the city. He formed the letters into “Solidarity” The logo was designed to look as though people were standing in a large crowd. A Polish flag was added to highlight national unity. This logo “went viral”—it quickly began to be used nationwide as a symbol of victory over tyranny.
Solidarity, the trade union that was founded by Solidarity in Poland, soon became a symbol of inspiration for non-working class Poles. “stand in solidarity with Solidarity”It became a mass movement. People from all corners of Polish society came together to oppose dictatorship and economic control: Whether left, right, or center, religious or non-religious, people—even many actual members of the PZPR—were so disillusioned and unhappy with “actually existing socialism” For a decade or more, the importance of other divisions in society began to diminish as people came together and fought for political and economic freedom. The Solidarity union was able to win the first partly free elections within the Soviet bloc in 1989. It was the first step in the collapse of communism and a catalyst for similar movements across other Warsaw Pact nations.
Solidarity with Bitcoin
Today, I see many resonances between Solidarność and the growing social movement behind Bitcoin. Bitcoin is a cross-cultural and ideological movement, similar to Solidarity. No matter if you are a member of the left, center or right; religious or non-religious; or a proponent or “tradition” No matter what form of government (democracy or republicanism), theocracy or party rule is preferred, Bitcoin has appeal.)—Bitcoin has appeal. The reason is that, irrespective of the type of government and culture that people choose, they want to be able to spend their own cash whenever and wherever they like. The money they spend should also hold its value so they can continue to save for themselves or for their future.
Over the past few decades, governments all over the world have worked to destroy both these desires. They insist that people control how they spend their money and devalue it simultaneously. The destruction of savings and the economic freedom of whole populations cannot continue forever. “enough.” Bitcoin is a much needed monetary reformation. It separates money from state.
Bitcoin, like Solidarity is an emerging grassroots movement. Bitcoin is a grassroots movement that has its own name, logo, and source code. It’s not owned or controlled by any one person. Although mainstream media pay a great deal of attention to “Bitcoin billionaires”, the vast majority of Bitcoin owners are ordinary people—mostly working class—who see in it hope for a better future: A future where the fruits of their labor, their life savings, are not frittered away by irresponsible governments engaged in schemes to devalue currency and control economic life. In a more symbolic way, the Interfactory Strike Committee’s 21 demands mirror the rarity of only 21,000,000 bitcoins that will be ever in existence. This number is hardcoded into the Bitcoin Protocol.
Noah’s Ark : How to survive the flood of money
While Solidarity was rising, a band of Polish poets and singers were on tour, playing songs in order to show people that there is a possibility for a more fulfilling life. Their names were Jacek Kaczmarski, Przemysław Gintrowski, and Zbigniew Łapiński. These three men recorded many “protest songs” In order to prevent censorship of their messages, they had to carefully phrase and conceal them. Although they used allusions and poetic metaphors in their songs, as well as references to art, history, literature and the Bible, people understood exactly what was being said. The songs were very popular throughout Poland.
These three troubadours were my first influences. As many others of my generation, they were also active in Solidarity and took that with them as they immigrated to America, where I am born. Some of their songs are particularly relevant to our historical moment, and also the Bitcoin Movement. In that spirit, I wanted to share with you one of Kaczmarski, Gintrowski, and Łapinski’s great songs, “Noah’s Ark”. This song is inspired by the Biblical tale of Noah. He survived an epic, month-long flooding event after building a boat.
There are two possible ways to interpret the “flood” Three songs about the in “Noah’s Ark” As the “flood” Hyperinflation is accompanied by a hyperinflation of currency. In times of political crisis or collapse, governments often face serious economic issues. They will print a large amount of money to solve these problems. “boost economic activity” Within their own borders. It tends to be counterproductive, though, because the value of money drops and the people are less willing to spend it. It only exacerbates the economic and political problems of the government, hastening its fall. Hyperinflations tend to occur in conjunction with the change of political regimes. In 1990, when I visited Poland for the first time, the country was experiencing a period of hyperinflation that accompanied the shift from a socialist to a capitalist political economy. In order to restore the public’s confidence in their currency, it was necessary to completely change its base and issue new notes.
Who has survived? “floods” Hyperinflations can have devastating effects on people around the globe. As a result, millions of Polish citizens lost all of their life savings due to a collapsed political and economic system. But Kaczmarski, Gintrowski, and Łapiński’s song reminds us that the deluge is survivable—if we have planned ahead and if we believe in our own power, as individuals and as a community, to navigate the storms.
You can enjoy the music and lyrics below, which have been translated in English.
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Arka Noego |
Noah’s Ark |
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W pełnym słońcu w środku lata, wśród łagodnych fal zieleni, Wre zapamiętała praca, stawiam łódź na suchej ziemi. Owad w pąku drży kwitnącym; chłop po barki brodzi w życie. Ja pracując w dzień i w nocy, mam już burty i poszycie. Budujcie Arkę przed potopem! Dobądźcie na to swych wszystkich sił! Budujcie Arkę przed potopem, Choćby tłum z waszej pracy kpił! Ocalić trzeba co najdroższe, A przecież tyle już tego jest! Budujcie Arkę przed potopem Odrzućcie dziś każdy zbędny gest. Muszę taką łódź zbudować, by w niej całe życie zmieścić. Nikt nie wierzy w moje słowa; wszyscy mają ważne wieści. Ktoś się o majątek kłóci, albo łatwy węszy żer. Zanim się ze snu obudzi, będę miał już maszt i ster! Budujcie Arkę przed potopem! Niech was nie mami głupców chór! Budujcie Arkę przed potopem! Słychać już grzmot burzowych chmur! Zostawcie kłótnie swe na potem; Wiarę przeczuciom dajcie raz! Budujcie Arkę przed potopem, Zanim w końcu pochłonie was! Każdy z was jest łodzią w której może się z potopem mierzyć Cało wyjść z burzowej chmury—musi tylko w to uwierzyć! Lecz w ulewie grzmot za grzmotem, i za późno krzyk na trwogę, I za późno usta z błotem, wypluwają mą przestrogę! “Budujcie Arkę przed potopem!” Słyszę sterując w serce fal! “Budujcie Arkę przed potopem!” Krzyczy ten co się przedtem śmiał! “Budujcie Arkę przed potopem”— Naszych nad własnym losem łez! “Budujcie Arkę przed potopem!” Na pierwszy i na ostatni chrzest! |
In full sunlight in the middle summer, among gentle green waves, The enduring task is: I build a boat on dry land. A peasant is sucked into the life of a flowering bud by an insect. Working day and night I already have starboard and sheathing. Before the next flood, build an Ark! All your strength! Before the next flood, build an Ark. Even if the masses mock your work. The most valuable things must be saved. It is everywhere! Before the next flood, build an Ark! Cast aside, today, every superfluous gesture. It is necessary to build a vessel that will fit all of my life. I have told everyone that they all believe me. “more important” affairs. Somebody is fighting over money, or someone smells easy food. The mast will be ready before he awakens! Before the next flood, build an Ark! Do not be fooled by the chorus of fools Before the next flood, build an Ark! Storm clouds are already rumbling! You can save your arguments until later. Trust your gut instincts once! Before the next flood, build an Ark. Be sure to take action before you are overcome by it! Each of you are ships that can face the flood. To come out of the storm cloud whole—you just need to believe that! In the rain, there were lightning strikes after lightning strikes. The warnings of danger arrive too late. It’s too late to warn you! “Build an Ark before the flood!” Hear, I’m steering straight into the middle of the waves. “Build an Ark before the flood!” The one who laughed at you now cries! “Build an Ark before the flood”— Our tears are overflowing with our plight! “Build an Ark before the flood!” The first and last baptism! |
Natalie Smolenski is the author of this guest post. The opinions expressed by Natalie Smolenski are theirs alone and not those of BTC Inc. or Bitcoin Magazine.
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Source: bitcoinmagazine.com
