LECH WALESA
G'day folks,
Welcome to some background on a great trade unionist in Poland.
“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
Lech Walesa was born in Poland in 1943. He grew up in Communist controlled Poland and became active in the trade union movement in Gdansk shipyards, where he worked as an electrician.
In 1970, he was a leader of the
workers union as they clashed with the government seeking to gain improved
working conditions and recognition. Because of his union activity as a shop
steward, in 1976, he was fired by the state owned firm. For the next few years,
he was forced into doing odd jobs to provide income for his family and
supporting his political activities.
In 1978, he helped to organise the first non-communist trade union, and raised the profile of opposition to the Communist party and its grip on the country.
The sole and basic source of our strength is the solidarity of workers, peasants and the intelligentsia, the solidarity of the nation, the solidarity of people who seek to live in dignity, truth, and in harmony with their conscience.
– Lech Walesa
By 1980, Walesa was seen as the
national leader of the independent trade union movement, and he was soon
elected leader of Solidarity (a non-communist workers movement) He helped to
lead strikes in the summer of 1980, and these proved relatively successful,
with the government agreeing to many of the workers’ demands, such as the
recognition to strike and form their own independent union. This gave the
Solidarity movement great hope. But, at the end of 1981, the Russian backed
general Jaruzelski cracked down on the movement. Walesa was interned, but given
his high international profile was only placed under house arrest.
Although the government cracked down on Solidarity they were not as repressive as in previous years (such as Hungarian rising). The government made life very difficult for Solidarity, but its leaders, such as Lech Walesa remained potent symbols of opposition to the government. As the 1980s progressed, 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.
“The defense of our rights and our dignity, as well as efforts never to let ourselves to be overcome by the feeling of hatred – this is the road we have chosen.”
– Lech Walesa
After the fall of the Berlin
Wall, Lech Walesa was elected Poland’s first President of the Republic of
Poland. In December 1990 in a general ballot he was elected President of the
Republic of Poland. He served until defeated in the election of November 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.
“It is hardly possible to build anything if frustration, bitterness and a mood of helplessness prevail.”
– Lech Walesa
– Lech Walesa
Lech Walesa was born in Poland in 1943. He grew up in Communist controlled Poland and became active in the trade union movement in Gdansk shipyards, where he worked as an electrician.
In 1978, he helped to organise the first non-communist trade union, and raised the profile of opposition to the Communist party and its grip on the country.
The sole and basic source of our strength is the solidarity of workers, peasants and the intelligentsia, the solidarity of the nation, the solidarity of people who seek to live in dignity, truth, and in harmony with their conscience.
– Lech Walesa
Although the government cracked down on Solidarity they were not as repressive as in previous years (such as Hungarian rising). The government made life very difficult for Solidarity, but its leaders, such as Lech Walesa remained potent symbols of opposition to the government. As the 1980s progressed, 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.
“The defense of our rights and our dignity, as well as efforts never to let ourselves to be overcome by the feeling of hatred – this is the road we have chosen.”
– Lech Walesa
He was married and had eight children. He said his Catholic faith sustained much of his political activity and determination to resist Communist control.
“It is hardly possible to build anything if frustration, bitterness and a mood of helplessness prevail.”
– Lech Walesa
Clancy's comment: A very inspired man. Love his last quote.
I'm ...
No comments:
Post a Comment