#polish peoples republic

A censored telegram (Poland, 1982).

During Poland’s 1.5 years of martial law in the early 1980, many civil liberties were suspended. Curfew was enforced, telephone lines were disconnected, letters and telegrams were censored, and road access to major cities was restricted.

Rationing card for food, alcohol and cigarettes (Poland, 1981 – 83).

During the period of martial law, the ruling military dictatorship raised prices in what they called “economic reforms”, which meant that wages were then 20% lower in comparison, and rationing had to be introduced.