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'''Solidarity''' was an independent [[trade union]] in [[Communist]]-dominated [[Poland]]. Its courageous struggle for freedom ultimately helped bring about the collapse of Communism in Poland and eastern [[Europe]].
'''Solidarity''' was an independent [[trade union]] in [[Communist]]-dominated [[Poland]]. Its courageous struggle for freedom ultimately helped bring about the collapse of Communism in Poland and then [[Central Europe]], spreading later to the [[Balkans]] and [[Eastern Europe]] (the [[Soviet Union]]).
Solidarity was founded in September 1980 during a strike at the Lenin Shipyard in [[Gdansk]], on Poland's [[Baltic Sea]] coast. Its first leader was a shipyard electrician, [[Lech Walesa]]. In 1981 the Polish government imposed [[martial law]] to suppress industrial and political unrest, and Walesa was interned; the union was forced underground for several years, but the Communist Party eventually had to negotiate. Elections held in 1989 led to a coalition government of which Solidarity formed part, and Walesa became Polish president. During the 1981-1989 period when the Solidarity party was outlawed, the communist government tended to see its local [[Roman Catholic]] church as a far more conservative and reasonable social force than the Solidarity party.
Solidarity was founded in September 1980 during a strike at the Lenin Shipyard in [[Gdansk]], on Poland's [[Baltic Sea]] coast. Its first leader was a shipyard electrician, [[Lech Walesa]]. In 1981 the Polish government imposed [[martial law]] to suppress industrial and political unrest, and Walesa was interned; the union was forced underground for several years, but the Communist Party eventually had to negotiate. Elections held in 1989 led to a coalition government of which Solidarity formed part, and Walesa became Polish president. During the 1981-1989 period when the Solidarity party was outlawed, the communist government tended to see its local [[Roman Catholic]] church as a far more conservative and reasonable social force than the Solidarity party.