Wladyslaw Gomulka (Gomulka Wladyslaw)

(1905-1982)
Born February 6, 1905, near Krosno. Receiving primary education, began working as a mechanic. He was the organizer of the Communist workers' groups and trade unions. In 1932 he was arrested and sentenced to four years imprisonment, released in 1934 by illness. In 1934-1935 he studied at the Lenin School in Moscow. Managed to escape reprisals after he was indicted leadership of the Polish Communist Party of Trotskyism. When the Germans troops entered Warsaw, moved to Lviv, where he later became a member of the resistance.
After the liberation of Poland Gomulka returned to Warsaw with a so-called. Lublin government as deputy prime minister. Became General Secretary of the Polish United Workers' Party (PZPR). Gomulka called 'little Stalin' for his zeal in spreading the Soviet system. Since the beginning of the Cold War and after the conflict with Tito in 1948, Gomulka, defending the idea of "Polish road to socialism ', was in a difficult position. In 1948 he admitted his mistakes, but fell victim to the 'rotation' of the party after the next change of course. He was expelled from the party, and in August 1951 arrested and imprisoned.

Second ascent to power of Gomulka began after Stalin's death. In 1954 he was released from prison, and October 21, 1956 reinstated the first Secretary of the Party.

Gomulka eliminate a large part of the collective farms in the village, stopped the persecution of the Roman Catholic Church, relaxing censorship. Signed in December 1970 agreement with West Germany on the recognition of the western borders of Poland on the Oder - Neisse was the first step toward negotiations on economic aid from the Federal Republic. In late 1970, trying to solve economic problems, the Government announced the increase in food prices and energy. Unrest broke out, resulting in Gomulka was forced to resign. Gomulka died in Warsaw on Sept. 1, 1982.