Explain Solidarity Movement in Poland.

The Solidarity Movement in Poland was a historic social and political movement that emerged in the early 1980s, marking a significant turning point in the country's modern history. It was a grassroots movement rooted in the desire for workers' rights, economic reforms, and political freedoms, ultimately challenging the Communist regime.

1. Formation and Background:
   The movement originated at the Gdańsk Shipyard in August 1980, led by electrician Lech Wałęsa. It emerged as a response to economic hardships, widespread discontent, and dissatisfaction with the oppressive Communist government led by the Polish United Workers' Party (PUWP).

2. Gdańsk Agreement (August 1980):
   The Gdańsk Agreement was a pivotal moment in the Solidarity Movement. Workers, led by Lech Wałęsa and other activists, negotiated with the government and secured a series of concessions, including the right to form independent trade unions and the acknowledgment of workers' rights.

3. Rapid Growth and Social Engagement:
   Solidarity quickly gained momentum, evolving into a mass movement with millions of members across various sectors of Polish society. It transcended its initial focus on workers' rights to become a broader movement advocating for political pluralism, freedom of expression, and human rights.

4. Suppression and Martial Law (1981):
   The growing influence of Solidarity alarmed the Communist authorities, leading them to impose martial law on December 13, 1981. The government, led by General Wojciech Jaruzelski, sought to suppress the movement, banning Solidarity, arresting activists, and curbing civil liberties.

5. Transition to Democracy (1989):
   Despite the crackdown, Solidarity continued to function underground. The movement played a crucial role in fostering resistance and maintaining a collective spirit of opposition. In 1989, as Communist regimes crumbled across Eastern Europe, negotiations led to the Round Table Agreement in Poland, paving the way for democratic reforms.

6. Election Victory and Transformation:
   In the partially free elections of 1989, Solidarity participated and won a landslide victory. Lech Wałęsa became Poland's first freely elected president in over four decades. This marked the peaceful transition from Communist rule to a democratic government.

7. Symbol of Resistance:
   The Solidarity Movement became a symbol of peaceful resistance against totalitarianism and a model for other movements across the Eastern Bloc. It demonstrated the power of civil society in challenging oppressive regimes and demanding democratic reforms.

The Solidarity Movement's success in Poland played a pivotal role in the broader collapse of Communist regimes in Eastern Europe. It remains a symbol of the people's capacity to resist oppression, advocate for fundamental rights, and effect transformative political change through nonviolent means.