Wladyslaw Gomulka was a Polish communist politician and the leader of the Polish United Workers' Party from 1956 to 1970. He played a significant role in the political and social changes in Poland during the 20th century. Gomulka's leadership was marked by efforts to assert Polish national interests within the framework of the Soviet-dominated Eastern Bloc. His policies also included limited economic reforms and attempts to improve relations with the Catholic Church. Gomulka's tenure as leader was characterized by both periods of relative liberalization and periods of political repression.