Wojciech Jaruzelski: Difference between revisions

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{{Villain_Infobox
{{Villain_Infobox
|image = [[File:220px-Gen. Wojciech Jaruzelski 13 grudnia 1981.JPG|thumb|292x292px]]
|Image = Gen. Wojciech Jaruzelski 13 grudnia 1981.JPG
|fullname = Wojciech Witold Jaruzelski  
|fullname = Wojciech Witold Jaruzelski  
|alias =  
|alias =  
|origin = Kurów, Poland
|origin = Kurów, Poland
|occupation = First Secretary of the Polish United Workers' Party (1981 – 1989)<br>President of Poland (1989 - 1990)<br>Prime Minister of Poland (1981 – 1985)
|occupation = First Secretary of the [[Polish United Workers' Party]] (1981 – 1989)<br>President of Poland (1989 - 1990)<br>Prime Minister of Poland (1981 – 1985)
|type of villain = Tyrant
|type of villain = Oppressive Tyrant
|goals = Keep Poland under military rule (failed)
|goals = Keep Poland under military rule (failed)
|crimes = Mass [[murder]]<br>Oppression<br>[[War crimes]]
|crimes = [[Mass murder]]<br>Oppression<br>[[War crimes]]<br>Imposing martial law illegally<br>[[Torture]]
|hobby = }}
|hobby = }}{{Quote|Thank goodness we don't live in medieval times, when people fought wars over ideas.|Wojciech Jaruzelski}}'''Wojciech Witold Jaruzelski''' (<small>Polish: </small>[ˈvɔjt͡ɕɛx ˈvitɔlt jaruˈzɛlskʲi] (listen); 6 July 1923 – 25 May 2014) was a Polish military officer and politician. He was First Secretary of the [[Polish United Workers' Party]] from 1981 to 1989, and as such was the last leader of the Polish People's Republic. He also served as Prime Minister from 1981 to 1985 and the country's head of state from 1985 to 1990 (titled as Chairman of the Council of State from 1985 to 1989 and as President from 1989 to 1990). He was also the last commander-in-chief of the Polish People's Army (LWP). He resigned after the Polish Round Table Agreement in 1989, which led to multi-party elections in Poland.
'''Wojciech Witold Jaruzelski''' (<small>Polish: </small>[ˈvɔjt͡ɕɛx ˈvitɔlt jaruˈzɛlskʲi] (listen); 6 July 1923 – 25 May 2014) was a Polish military officer and politician. He was First Secretary of the Polish United Workers' Party from 1981 to 1989, and as such was the last leader of the People's Republic of Poland. He also served as Prime Minister from 1981 to 1985 and the country's head of state from 1985 to 1990 (titled as Chairman of the Council of State from 1985 to 1989 and as President from 1989 to 1990). He was also the last commander-in-chief of the Polish People's Army (LWP). He resigned after the Polish Round Table Agreement in 1989, which led to multi-party elections in Poland.


== Early life ==
== Early life ==
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== Military career ==
== Military career ==


Jaruzelski was selected by the Soviet authorities for enrolment into the Soviet Officer Training School.<sup>[1]</sup> During his time in the Kazakh Republic, Jaruzelski wanted to join the non-Soviet controlled Polish exile army led by Władysław Anders, but in 1943, by which time the Soviet Union was fighting in Europe against Germany in the Eastern Front, he joined the Polish army units being formed under Soviet command.<sup>[2]</sup> He served in this Soviet-controlled First Polish Army during the war.<sup>[1]</sup> He participated in the 1945 Soviet military takeover of Warsaw and the Battle of Berlin.By the time the war ended that year, he had gained the rank of lieutenant.<sup>]</sup> He "further credited himself in Soviet eyes by engaging in combat against the non-[[Communist]] Polish Home Army, from 1945 to 1947.
Jaruzelski was selected by the Soviet authorities for enrolment into the Soviet Officer Training School.<sup>[1]</sup> During his time in the Kazakh Republic, Jaruzelski wanted to join the non-Soviet controlled Polish exile army led by Władysław Anders, but in 1943, by which time the Soviet Union was fighting in Europe against Germany in the Eastern Front, he joined the Polish army units being formed under Soviet command.<sup>[2]</sup> He served in this Soviet-controlled First Polish Army during the war.<sup>[1]</sup> He participated in the 1945 Soviet military takeover of Warsaw and the Battle of Berlin.By the time the war ended that year, he had gained the rank of lieutenant.<sup>]</sup> He "further credited himself in Soviet eyes by engaging in combat against the non-Communist Polish Home Army, from 1945 to 1947.


After the end of the war, Jaruzelski graduated from the Polish Higher Infantry School and then from the General Staff Academy. He joined Poland's Communist party, the Polish United Workers' Party, in 1948<sup>[7]</sup> and became an informant for the Soviet supervised Main Directorate of Information of the Polish Army using the cover name Wolski. In the initial post-war years, he was among those who fought the Polish anti-Communists ("cursed soldiers") in the Świętokrzyskie region. A BBC News profile of Jaruzelski states that his career "took off after the departure [from Poland] in 1956 of the Soviet Marshal, Konstantin Rokossovsky",<sup>[2]</sup> who had been Poland's Commander in Chief and Minister of Defence.<sup>[2]</sup> Jaruzelski became the chief political officer of the Polish armed forces in 1960, its chief of staff in 1964; and Polish Minister of Defense in 1968,<sup>[2]</sup> four years after he was elected to be a member of the Central Committee of the Polish United Workers' Party.<sup>]</sup> Even the minister of defence, Marshal Marian Spychalski was persecuted.<sup>[10]</sup> Jaruzelski obtained his post.In August 1968, Jaruzelski, as the defence minister, ordered the 2nd Army under General Florian Siwicki (of the "LWP") to invade Czechoslovakia,
After the end of the war, Jaruzelski graduated from the Polish Higher Infantry School and then from the General Staff Academy. He joined Poland's Communist party, the Polish United Workers' Party, in 1948<sup>[7]</sup> and became an informant for the Soviet supervised Main Directorate of Information of the Polish Army using the cover name Wolski.  
 
In the initial post-war years, he was among those who fought the Polish anti-Communists ("cursed soldiers") in the Świętokrzyskie region. A BBC News profile of Jaruzelski states that his career "took off after the departure [from Poland] in 1956 of the Soviet Marshal, Konstantin Rokossovsky",<sup>[2]</sup> who had been Poland's Commander in Chief and Minister of Defence.<sup>[2]</sup> Jaruzelski became the chief political officer of the Polish armed forces in 1960, its chief of staff in 1964; and Polish Minister of Defense in 1968,<sup>[2]</sup> four years after he was elected to be a member of the Central Committee of the Polish United Workers' Party.<sup>]</sup> Even the minister of defence, Marshal Marian Spychalski was persecuted.<sup>[10]</sup> Jaruzelski obtained his post.
 
In August 1968, Jaruzelski, as the defence minister, ordered the 2nd Army under General Florian Siwicki (of the "LWP") to invade Czechoslovakia,
<nowiki> </nowiki>resulting in military occupation of northern Czechoslovakia until 11  
<nowiki> </nowiki>resulting in military occupation of northern Czechoslovakia until 11  
November 1968 when under his orders and agreements with the Soviet Union
November 1968 when under his orders and agreements with the Soviet Union
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ruling European Communist party.<sup>[5][7]</sup>
ruling European Communist party.<sup>[5][7]</sup>


Jaruzelski in a television studio, preparing to announce the imposition of martial law, 1981
A fortnight after taking power, Jaruzelski met with Solidarity head Lech Wałęsa and Catholic bishop Józef Glemp, and hinted that he wanted to bring the church and the union into a sort
<nowiki> </nowiki>of coalition government. However, his intention was to crush Solidarity.As early as September, while he was still merely prime minister, he met with his aides to find an excuse to impose martial law.


A fortnight after taking power, Jaruzelski met with Solidarity head Lech Wałęsa and Catholic bishop Józef Glemp, and hinted that he wanted to bring the church and the union into a sort
On 13 December, citing purported recordings of Solidarity leaders planning a coup, Jaruzelski organised his own coup by proclaiming martial law. A [[Military Council of National Salvation]] was formed, with Jaruzelski as chairman. A BBC News profile of  
<nowiki> </nowiki>of coalition government. However, his intention was to crush Solidarity.As early as September, while he was still merely prime minister, he met with his aides to find an excuse to impose martial law.On 13 December, citing purported recordings of Solidarity leaders planning a coup, Jaruzelski organised his own coup by proclaiming martial law. A Military Council of National Salvation
<nowiki> </nowiki>was formed, with Jaruzelski as chairman. A BBC News profile of  
Jaruzelski contends that the establishment of martial law was "an attempt to suppress the Solidarity movement."
Jaruzelski contends that the establishment of martial law was "an attempt to suppress the Solidarity movement."


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been determined. Jaruzelski, however, justified cracking down by  
been determined. Jaruzelski, however, justified cracking down by  
alleging that the threat of Soviet intervention was quite likely had he dealt with Solidarity internally. This question, as well as many other facts about Poland in the years 1945–1989, are presently under the investigation of government historians at the Instytut Pamięci Narodowej (IPN), whose publications reveal facts from the Communist-era archives.
alleging that the threat of Soviet intervention was quite likely had he dealt with Solidarity internally. This question, as well as many other facts about Poland in the years 1945–1989, are presently under the investigation of government historians at the Instytut Pamięci Narodowej (IPN), whose publications reveal facts from the Communist-era archives.
<nowiki> </nowiki>Additionally, there are numerous confirmations from Czech army officers
<nowiki> </nowiki>Additionally, there are numerous confirmations from Czech army officers
<nowiki> </nowiki>of the time speaking of ''Operation Krkonoše'', plan of armed invasion of Poland, because of which many units of the Czechoslovak People's Army were stationed on highest alert, ready for deployment within hours.<sup>[19]</sup>
<nowiki> </nowiki>of the time speaking of ''Operation Krkonoše'', plan of armed invasion of Poland, because of which many units of the Czechoslovak People's Army were stationed on highest alert, ready for deployment within hours.<sup>[19]</sup>
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<nowiki> </nowiki>Jaruzelski was attacked by a male pensioner with a stone and had his jaw injured, after which he was sent to a hospital to receive surgery. The man had been arrested in prison during the martial law period. Later, the man was sentenced two years and fined 200 zloty.
<nowiki> </nowiki>Jaruzelski was attacked by a male pensioner with a stone and had his jaw injured, after which he was sent to a hospital to receive surgery. The man had been arrested in prison during the martial law period. Later, the man was sentenced two years and fined 200 zloty.


In an interview in 2001, Jaruzelski said that he believed Communism failed, and that he was now a social democrat. He also announced his support for then-President Aleksander Kwaśniewski, as well as future Prime Minister Leszek Miller. Both Kwaśniewski and Miller were members of the Democratic Left Alliance, the social democratic party that includes most of the remains of the PUWP.<sup>[6]</sup>
In an interview in 2001, Jaruzelski said that he believed Communism failed, and that he was now a social democrat. He also announced his support for then-President Aleksander Kwaśniewski, as well as future Prime Minister Leszek Miller. Both Kwaśniewski and Miller were members of the Democratic Left Alliance, the social democratic party that includes most of the remains of the PUWP.


In May 2005, Russian President [[Vladimir Putin]]
In May 2005, Russian President [[Vladimir Putin]]
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== Death ==
== Death ==
Jaruzelski's grave at Powązki Military Cemetery in Warsaw
Jaruzelski died on 25 May 2014, in a Warsaw hospital after suffering a stroke earlier that month.<sup>[33][34]</sup> Prior to his death, he reportedly requested last rites by a Catholic priest.<sup>[35][36]</sup> President Bronisław Komorowski
Jaruzelski died on 25 May 2014, in a Warsaw hospital after suffering a stroke earlier that month.<sup>[33][34]</sup> Prior to his death, he reportedly requested last rites by a Catholic priest.<sup>[35][36]</sup> President Bronisław Komorowski
<nowiki> </nowiki>and former Presidents Lech Wałęsa and Aleksander Kwaśniewski as well as
<nowiki> </nowiki>and former Presidents Lech Wałęsa and Aleksander Kwaśniewski as well as
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== Personal life ==
== Personal life ==
Jaruzelski married Barbara Halina Jaruzelska (1931–29 May 2017)<sup>[39]</sup> in 1961.<sup>[40]</sup> They had a daughter, Monika who was born on 11 August 1963. Monika has a son, Gustav.<sup>[''citation needed'']</sup>
Jaruzelski married Barbara Halina Jaruzelska (1931–29 May 2017)<sup>[39]</sup> in 1961.<sup>[40]</sup> They had a daughter, Monika who was born on 11 August 1963. Monika has a son, Gustav.


In 2014, his wife Barbara threatened to file for divorce, saying  
In 2014, his wife Barbara threatened to file for divorce, saying  
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== Legacy ==
== Legacy ==
The BBC reported in 2001 that "for some Poles — particularly the Solidarity generation — he is little short of a traitor",<sup>[2]</sup> even comparing his philosophy of "a strong Poland within a Soviet dominated bloc" to Vidkun Quisling's philosophy of a similar status for Norway within the [[Nazi]] controlled hemisphere.<sup>[''citation needed'']</sup>
The BBC reported in 2001 that "for some Poles — particularly the Solidarity generation — he is little short of a traitor",<sup>[2]</sup> even comparing his philosophy of "a strong Poland within a Soviet dominated bloc" to Vidkun Quisling's philosophy of a similar status for Norway within the [[Nazi]] controlled hemisphere.
<nowiki> </nowiki>Meanwhile, opinion polls as of 15 May 2001 suggested that a majority of
<nowiki> </nowiki>Meanwhile, opinion polls as of 15 May 2001 suggested that a majority of
<nowiki> </nowiki>the Polish people were open to agreeing with his explanation that  
<nowiki> </nowiki>the Polish people were open to agreeing with his explanation that  
martial law was implemented to forestall a Soviet invasion.<sup>[2]</sup> Available documents indicate that Jaruzelski actually lobbied for Soviet intervention.<sup>[11]</sup> In interviews in Russian media (''Rossiyskaya Gazeta'' for example) he has been presented as the harbinger of Poland's democracy.<sup>[''citation needed'']</sup>
martial law was implemented to forestall a Soviet invasion.<sup>[2]</sup> Available documents indicate that Jaruzelski actually lobbied for Soviet intervention.<sup>[11]</sup> In interviews in Russian media (''Rossiyskaya Gazeta'' for example) he has been presented as the harbinger of Poland's democracy.


Croatian writer Slavenka Drakulić described Jaruzelski as a "tragic believer in Communism who made a pact with the devil in good faith".<sup>[44]</sup>
Croatian writer Slavenka Drakulić described Jaruzelski as a "tragic believer in Communism who made a pact with the devil in good faith".<sup>[44]</sup>
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[[Category:Liars]]
[[Category:Liars]]
[[Category:Starvers]]
[[Category:Starvers]]
[[Category:Remorseful]]
[[Category:Redeemed]]
[[Category:Villains of World War 2]]
[[Category:Villains of World War 2]]
[[Category:Communist]]
[[Category:Communist]]
[[Category:Polish Villains]]
[[Category:Poland]]