Polish-British Economic Relations in the 1970s in the Light of "Polish Diplomatic Documents"

The article presents the economic aspects of Polish-British relations in the 1970s. Archival sources used were based on "Polish Diplomatic Documents", a publication of sources. The United Kingdom at the beginning of the 1970s was Poland's most important Western economic partner. Relations between the two countries at that time were influenced, among other factors, by British accession to the EEC. Over time, however, Albion lost its leadership position, as Poland's chief Western economic partner, to West Germany. The article provides an answer to the question about the reasons for this change. The article consists of four parts. First, the basics of economic cooperation are discussed. The bilateral and multilateral factors influencing cooperation are then presented. The next part is devoted to trade between Poland and the UK, particularly its volume and structure. PRL authorities were attempting during the discussed period to rectify Poland's negative trade balance, as well as the structure of this trade, which was a manifestation of the underdevelopment of the Polish economy. In subsequent parts, the article discusses the role of two symbols of Gierek's rule in the 1970s (and which came about as a result of the economic relations between Poland and the UK), namely the purchase of licenses and the taking out of loans, the latter of which led to Poland's debt crisis.