ABSTRACT
The chapter analyzes the official narrative of the Polish United Workers’ Party (PUWP) aimed at explaining to its members the dramatic events of August 1980–December 1981 in the Polish People’s Republic. The chapter provides a historical outline of the events and describes the content of the official story, focusing on the occurrences inside the PUWP. The author argues that in the face of a sociopolitical conflict, caused by the introduction of martial law (state of war) on December 13, 1981, in reaction to tensions between the Polish communist authorities and the independent self-governing trade union “Solidarity” (established in August 1980), the Communist Party itself faced serious difficulties that could jeopardize its existence and effectiveness. Using social engineering methods of memory forging and a story narrative, the PUWP leadership persuaded its members to perceive the situation of August 1980–December 1981 as unbearable and the introduction of martial law as unavoidable. PUWP did it by way of pamphlets, booklets, reading and training materials, official speeches and addresses.
