Communists take power in Poland

This account shows how Stalin, although he did not impose Communism by military force, nevertheless manipulated events to ensure a pro-Russian Communist government. 

1939   Poland's pre-war leaders went into exile in London and set up the Free Polish Government (led by Stanislaw Mikolajczyk of the Polish Peasant Party).   In Poland, Polish resistance fighters set up the 'Home Army' loyal to Free Polish Government.

          Polish Communists went to Russia (led by Wladyslaw Gomulka) and set up a Communist government in Moscow

1940   The Red Army massacred 4500 captured Polish army officers likely to lead post­war opposition to Communist rule.

1944    In Warsaw the nationalist (non-Communist) Home Army rebelled against the Germans.   The Red Army was invading Poland, but it waited for the Germans to destroy the nationalists before taking Warsaw (Jan 1945).   

          Soviet officials set up a Communist Provisional Government.

1945   At Yalta Stalin agreed to a 'Government of National Unity' comprising Communists and non-Communists.

          Stalin invited 16 Home Army leaders to Moscow and imprisoned them.

          Elections were delayed a number of times.

1947   Thousands of non-Communist party members were imprisoned.

          Despite their unpopularity, the Communists won an election.

          The Communist leader, Bierut (trained in the USSR), became head of a one-party Communist state.