CHAPTER 1. THE ORIGINS OF THE SYSTEM 3 // The Underground State 3 // The Other Current 10 // Political Uniformization 13 // CHAPTER 2. A MEASURE OF FREEDOM 23 // Background 23 // 1953 27 // 1953/1954 30 // The International Background 35 // The Thaw 39 // The Twentieth Party Congress 41 // More Cultural Freedom 44 // Rehabilitations 46 // The Press 48 // Poznan 49 // Divergencies in the Party 53 // The Eighth Plenary Meeting 59 // The Hungarian Example 66 // Changing Polish/Soviet Relations 72 // The Economy 75 // Culture 76 // The State and the Church 80 // Catholic Associations 82 // New Youth Organizations 86 // The Diet Elections 88 // Poland and China 94 // The Party and the People 96 // The Origins of Change 100 // CHAPTER 3. SHORT CIRCUIT 105 // Foreshadowings 105 // "Forefathers’ Eve" 110 // Three Weeks in March 116 // Conclusion 137 V // vi CONTENTS // CHAPTER 4. INTERLUDE 139 // The Intervention in Czechoslovakia 139 // International Affairs 143 // The Economy 146 // Cultural Life 148 // Political Trials 153 // CHAPTER 5. RECKONING 157 // December 1970 157 // A Slight Thaw 166 // Gierek’s Reforms 167 // The Church 170 // The State and Society 174 // Culture in the Early Seventies 175 // Political Polemics 177 // The Constitution 184 // Catholic Groups 188 // Policies toward Youth 189 // June 1976 191 // Conclusion 197 // INDEX 203