DEMOCRACY IN THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD

WORKSHEET ANSWERS
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21. Who were the supporters of Allende?

Ans. Poor people and workers.

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6. How was democracy re-established in Poland?

Ans. In 1980 Poland was ruled by the Polish United workers party. The first step towards
democracy was taken with the workers’ strike on 14th August 1980. The strike led to the signing
of a 21 point agreement between Lech Walesa and the government. This agreement gave right
to the workers to form trade unions. Solidarity, a new trade union was formed. In 1981 the
government led by General Jaruzelski imposed martial law. Another wave of strikes were
organized in 1988 by Solidarity. The elections were conducted and Solidarity won 99 seats out
of 100 and Lech Walesa became the first elected President of Poland.

8. Before 1980, Poland was a non-democratic country. Give 3 reasons to justify.

Ans. (i) At that time, Poland was ruled by the Polish United Workers, Party. This was one of the
many communist parties that ruled in several countries of East Europe at that time.

(ii) In these countries, no other political party was allowed to function. The people could not
freely choose the leaders of the Communist party or the Government.

(iii) Those who spoke against the leaders or the party or the government, were put in prison.

9. Why did Allende address himself mainly to workers? Why were the rich unhappy with him?

Ans. He addressed the workers because they were his biggest supporters. He had taken several
policy decisions as President to help the poor and the workers, and he had faith in them. The
rich were against him because of his policies, which supported the poor and taxed the rich.

11. Mention some features of Walesa’s government of Poland.

Ans. In 1990, Lech Walesa was chosen as the President of Poland after the first Presidential
elections. Some important features of his government were:

(i) He wanted the market to be free of government interference.

 (ii) More than one party came into existence in Poland.
(iii) All other political parties were allowed to contest the elections.

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13. Why was independent trade union so important in Poland?

Ans. Poland had only one workers union controlled by the Polish United Workers’ Party. So
there was autocratic rule of this party. People could not form independent unions which voiced
their grievances. There was no freedom of speech.

15. Describe the pro-democracy movement in Poland.

Ans. (i) Before 1980, Poland was ruled by the Polish United Workers’ Party. No other party was
allowed to function.

(ii) After a long strike in 1980, by the workers, the government agreed to recognize the workers’
right to form independent trade unions, and their right to strike.

(iii) A new trade union Solidarity was formed.

(iv) In 1981, there was a countrywide strike by Solidarity which was suppressed by the
government with the help of Russia.

(v) In 1988, there was another strike. This time, government was weaker, and there was no
support from Soviet Union.

(vi) So the government negotiated free and fair elections which took place in 1990.