Lech Walesa

One of the main figures responsible for the fall of European communism, Lech Walesa began work as an electrician at the Lenin Shipyard in Gdan´sk, Poland, in 1967. After losing his job in 1976 for organizing against Poland's Communist government, he climbed over the shipyard wall to join striking workers, who elected him to lead negotiations. Walesa eventually won the legalization of the ten-million-member national union Solidarity, which he led. After a landslide victory, Walesa served for five years as Poland's first noncommunist prime minister in more than forty years. He received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1983.

 

Resources for Teachers and Students

Reflections on Working Towards Peace