Poznan Revolt (1956)

Thu Jun 28, 1956

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Image: Tanks on the “Plac Mickiewicza”, then “Stalin Square” [Polish National Digital Archives, NAC]

The Poznan Revolt began on this day in 1956 with a metalworkers’ strike, growing to a crowd of 100,000 protesters outside the Imperial Castle in Poznan, Poland, demanding lower food prices, wage increases, and better working conditions.

The strike and protest took place in the context of political uncertainty and instability following Joseph Stalin’s death in 1953. As Nikita Kruschev was pushing “de-Stalinization” reforms, there were growing debates in Poland about the country’s political future.

Workers in the largest factory of Poznan, Cegielski’s Metal Industries, were disgruntled, wanting lower taxes and work quotas. When the government reneged on promises made to these workers on June 26th, 80% of the factory workers walked out on the morning on June 28th.

The strike quickly grew into a massive protest, with more than 100,000 protesters surrounding the Imperial Castle in Poznan. The demonstrators demanded lower food prices, wage increases, better working conditions, and to meet with Polish Prime Minister Józef Cyrankiewicz. Some police officers joined the crowd.

The protest escalated into a full-blown riot as workers stormed a local prison and arms depot. The crowd clashed with state forces and ransacked many government buildings, including the local Communist Party headquarters, the office of the Ministry of Public Security, courthouse, prosecutor’s office, and multiple police stations.

The rebellion was crushed by the Polish Army occupying Poznan with more than 10,000 troops, tanks, armored cars, and field guns. Several hundred people were arrested in the following weeks, many of whom were workers. At least fifty (some estimates say more than seventy) people were killed, including a thirteen year old boy. Several hundred more were wounded.

The uprising contributed to the Polish October (or “Gomułka Thaw”), in which Poland’s government temporarily liberalized and won more autonomy from Soviet control. In 1980, Solidarity, a Polish labor movement aided by the CIA, decided to raise a monument in memory of the Poznan Revolt.

On June 21st, 2006, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the events, the Polish parliament declared June 28th to be a national holiday in Poland - the “Day of Remembrance”.