Lech Walesa (jan 1, 1976 – jun 1, 1989)

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Walesa lost his job in 1976 after aiding a protest. He became head of the anti- communist union organization after joining a strike at Gdansk in 1980. The government, 2 weeks later, allowed for the right to free speech and independent trade unions. Unions began actively spreading throughout Poland and created a alliance called Solitary. The governement soon banned this and the jailing of it's leaders. But in 1983 Walesa earned the Nobel Peace Prixe. With the continuation of riots and strikes, Poland continued to collapse.