Human rights and the Jimmy Carter administration’s policy towards Poland, 1977–80

ABSTRACT This article reviews the Carter administration’s use of human rights in relations with Poland since 1977. Recently declassified archival documents show that Washington had limited opportunities in this field due to the rigid attitude of Warsaw: divided families were a main point of friction. The US government was not really able to support dissident activity in Poland. The Polish government’s relatively subtle handling of dissidence probably reflected its concern with domestic political factors. The formation of ‘Solidarity’ in Poland in 1980 was in accordance with Carter’s human rights policy, yet compromised Washington’s interests at the same time.