“Walesa was the main reason for successful Polish resistance to Soviet control.” To what extent do you agree with this statement?

The question requires that candidates consider the merits or otherwise of the statement that Walesa was the main reason for successful Polish resistance to Soviet control. Candidates may refer to the early resistance attempts by Walesa in the 1970s, when he mobilized workers’ strikes. Candidates may refer to his role as founder of the Solidarity movement, which became a major challenge to Soviet control. Jaruzelski imposed martial law in 1981 and banned Solidarity, however, by 1988, Walesa was able to form the Solidarity Citizens’ Committee. This became a political party and won the June 1989 elections, becoming the first non-communist government in the Soviet bloc. Other relevant factors may be considered, for example the various resistance groups and many other civil organizations, such as the Church, that resisted Soviet control.. Candidates’ opinions or conclusions will be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence.

The question required that candidates consider the merits or otherwise of the statement that Walesa was the main reason for successful Polish resistance to Soviet control. There were few responses to this question. There was some good in-depth knowledge shown of Polish resistance post 1945 and Walesa's role during the 1970s and 1980s.