Worksheet: Krakow – Communism 1945-1956 – The policy of the communist regime

1. After reading the source material 1 and the Infoext, describe the situation of the Kraków inhabitants immediately after General Hans Frank had left the city.
2. After analysing the source material 2 and the Infotext, describe what hopes Poles had of Stanisław Mikołajczyk.

3. What values did Poles hope would be preserved after Stanisław Mikołajczyk came to power? (source material 2)

4. Describe the relations between the new authorities and the Catholic Church (source material 3).

5. Why was the winning of the Catholic Church’s favour so important to the new authorities? (source material 3)

6. What events changed the attitude of the authorities towards the Catholic Church? (source material 3)

7. After reading the information text and analysing the source material 4 and source material 5, answer the question what the real aim of the new authorities was?

8. How and with what methods was that primary aim achieved? (Infotext, source materials 4 and source material 5)

9. Which social class was particularly affected by the communist regime? (Infotext, source material 4 and source material 5)

10. In the source material 6, find information on how the Kraków inhabitants dealt with the repressive policy of the regime.

11. Did hostility towards the new authorities grow with time? If so, what were the reasons behind it? (source material 6)

12*. Imagine you are an archbishop. Your task is to write a letter criticizing the policy of the authorities. Keep in mind that the letter should be read from the pulpit.

13*. Imagine you are an advisor to the Soviet authorities. Your task is to choose three most effective propaganda tools. Explain your choice.

14a*. Write a letter to your friend trying to convince him that the communist system is the best political system.

14b*. Your friend is fascinated with communism. Write a letter to him showing the system’s shortcomings.