Gomułka, Władysław (vwädĭs`wäf gəm

`kə), 1905–82, Polish Communist leader. Long a Communist, he helped establish the Polish Workers' party and was (1943–49) secretary of its central committee. After World War II, he served (1945–49) as deputy premier of Poland. A Polish nationalist, he was purged in 1949 for alleged sympathy with the Yugoslav Communist leader, Josip Broz Tito Tito, Josip Broz (yô`sĭp brôz tē`tō), 1892–1980, Yugoslav Communist leader, marshal of Yugoslavia.
..... Click the link for more information. , and was arrested in 1951. Freed in 1954, he was readmitted (1956) to the United Workers' (Communist) party. In Oct., 1956, on the wave of Polish resentment of USSR domination, Gomułka became first secretary of the party despite Soviet pressures. From this post he dominated the Polish government, continuing close ties with the USSR but establishing greater freedom of action for Poland and bringing some social and economic liberalization. He was replaced as first secretary by Edward Gierek Gierek, Edward (gyĕ`rĕk), 1913–2001, Polish politician, b. Porąbka. His family emigrated to France, where he was raised.
..... Click the link for more information. in Dec., 1970, following widespread rioting by Polish workers in protest against food price increases announced by the government. In 1971 he was suspended from the party's central committee and removed from the council of state.

Gomulka, Wladyslaw

(born Feb. 6, 1905, Bialobrzegi, near Krosno, Pol., Austria-Hungary—died Sept. 1, 1982, Warsaw, Pol.) Leader of the Polish Communist Party (1956–70). In 1926 he joined the underground Communist Party and became a union organizer. In World War II he was active in the communist underground in Warsaw. After the Soviet liberation of Poland, he ascended through the party ranks quickly. Though ruthless in eliminating opposition to communist rule, he publicly opposed some Soviet policies and was accused of “nationalist deviation” by Joseph Stalin in 1948 and arrested in 1951. He was rehabilitated in 1956 and elected party first secretary. At first universally supported, he adopted halfhearted reforms that were ultimately disappointing. In 1970 he was ousted along with other top leaders following workers' riots over food prices.