post-war Poland

After World War II, Poland's borders shifted westward, losing territory to the Soviet Union and gaining parts from Germany. It became a communist satellite of the Soviet Union, with a government controlled by the Polish United Workers' Party. The economy struggled under central planning, and political repression was common. People faced shortages and limited freedoms, but over time, unrest grew—leading to protests and the rise of the Solidarity movement in the 1980s. This movement helped promote political change, ultimately contributing to Poland's transition to democracy and a market economy by the late 20th century.