History of Wojciech Jaruzelski

Wojciech Jaruzelski is a complex and pivotal figure in the history of Poland, particularly during the latter half of the 20th century. His life and career, spanning military and political spheres, reflect the turbulent changes in Poland during and after World War II, under Soviet influence, and into the post-Cold War era.

Born on July 6, 1923, in Kurów, in what was then Poland, Jaruzelski grew up during a tumultuous period. His early life was marked by the upheavals of World War II. His family fled eastward following the Nazi invasion of Poland in 1939, leading to their capture by the Soviet Union. This resulted in a harsh exile in Siberia where Jaruzelski experienced severe conditions that would affect him significantly, both physically and mentally, for the rest of his life.

It was in the Soviet Union that Jaruzelski began his military career. He joined the Polish First Army under Soviet command and fought against the Nazis, notably in the Battle of Berlin in 1945. This military association with the Soviets was the start of Jaruzelski's long-standing allegiance to the Communist regime in Poland, which garnered mixed views from his fellow Poles who were resistant to Soviet influence.

After World War II, Poland fell under Soviet influence, and Jaruzelski steadily rose through the ranks of the military and the Communist Party of Poland (PZPR). He became a member of the Central Committee of the PZPR in 1964 and later, in 1968, was appointed Minister of Defense. His rise in the ranks was largely attributed to his reliability as a staunch supporter of Soviet-style communism, although it is debated whether his motivations were primarily political, ideological, or pragmatic.

The late 1970s and early 1980s were a period of significant unrest in Poland. The country's economic struggles, along with the growing demand for political reformation, led to the rise of the Solidarity movement, a trade union that quickly morphed into a broad anti-communist social movement led by Lech Wałęsa. As tensions spiked, Jaruzelski, now the Prime Minister and First Secretary of the PZPR, faced a critical decision point.

On December 13, 1981, Jaruzelski declared martial law in Poland in an effort to suppress Solidarity and prevent potential Soviet intervention similar to what had occurred in Hungary in 1956 and Czechoslovakia in 1968. The period of martial law lasted until July 1983 and was characterized by mass arrests, the suppression of civil liberties, and the deaths of an estimated 100 people. Jaruzelski argued that these harsh measures were necessary to avoid a Soviet invasion and greater bloodshed, though this rationale has been heavily criticized and remains a contentious point in Polish history.

Following the lifting of martial law, Poland remained under tight communist control, but Jaruzelski's grip on power began to weaken in the face of political and economic pressures, both domestically and internationally. The changing landscape of geopolitics, most notably Mikhail Gorbachev’s policies of Glasnost and Perestroika in the Soviet Union, further pushed Poland towards reform.

The Polish Round Table Talks in 1989 marked a significant turning point. Jaruzelski played a crucial role in these discussions between the communist government and the opposition, which included Solidarity. The talks led to partially free elections—the first in Poland since World War II—and saw Solidarity win a significant victory. Subsequently, Jaruzelski was elected President by the National Assembly, a move designed to ensure a smooth transition from communist rule to democratic governance.

Jaruzelski’s presidency was short, but his participation in the peaceful transition of power was pivotal. By December 1990, he resigned, paving the way for Lech Wałęsa to become the first democratically elected president of Poland.

In the years following, Jaruzelski wrote memoirs and engaged in public discourse, often defending his decision to impose martial law as the "lesser evil" compared to a possible Soviet military intervention. He faced legal inquiries and widespread criticism, with many condemning his actions as authoritarian and a betrayal of Polish independence, while others view him as a pragmatic leader who acted to mitigate potential disaster.

Wojciech Jaruzelski's life, thus, remains a mirror reflecting Poland’s struggle through military occupation, foreign domination, and the eventual quest for self-determination. His legacy is one of division, with some Poles viewing him as a defender of national interests and others as a symbol of oppressive regime practices. He passed away on May 25, 2014, but the debates about his role in Polish history continue, illustrating the enduring complexities and challenges of Poland's journey through modern history.