Lech Walesa (Leaders)

was born in Poland in 1943. He grew up in Communist controlled Poland and became active in the trade union movement in Gdansk shipyards. He worked as an electrician.

"Without a single shot we've managed to liberate the world of communism ... but now there is a need for a global solidarity."

- Lech Walesa

In 1970, he was a leader of the workers as they clashed with the government. The unions were calling for greater recognition and rights. In 1976 he was fired for his activities as a shop steward in the union. During this time he was forced to work in odd jobs to provide income for his family and his political activities.

In 1978, he helped to organise the first non-communist trades unions and took part in actions seeking to undermine the Communist grip on workers and the country.

By 1980, he was seen as the national leader of the independent trade union movement. He was elected leader of Solidarity in 1981. After strikes in August 1980, the government gave in to much of the workers' demands giving the movement and workers there first glimpse of freedom and success. They gained recognition to strike and form their own independent union.

At the end of 1981, the Russian backed general Jaruzelski cracked down on the movement. But, given the popularity of Walesa, he was just interned in a remote spot in the country.

Although the government cracked down on Solidarity they didn't dare extinguish it altogether. The new Soviet Leader Mikhail Gorbachev indicated the Soviet Union would no longer use force to impose Soviet control over an Eastern Bloc country. Thus solidarity were able to organise and provided a growing opposition to the Communist control. The movement gained international recognition and in 1983, Lech Walesa was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. The movement was also encouraged by the first Polish Pope John Paul II. His popularity in Poland gave Solidarity much extra strength.

After the fall of the Berlin Wall, Lech Walesa was elected Poland's first President of the Republic of Poland. He served as president until 1995.

He was married and had eight children. He said his Catholic faith sustained much of his political activity and determination to resist Communist control.