1. Why did Communism fall in Romania in 1989?

2. Inhabited mostly by Romanians, but with few sizeable minorities Hungarian, German, Gypsy, Jewish Large areas inhabited by Romanians remained under foreign control: Transylvania under Hungarians Bessarabia under Russians

3. Romania was a satellite of Nazi Germany until 1944 Was forced to concede a large portion of Transylvania back to Hungary and Bessarabia back to Russia Switched sides in August 1944 Came under Soviet occupation after the war

4. Transylvania was recovered after the war, but relations with Hungary remained tense Bessarabia turned into the Soviet Republic of Moldova 1947 – Old monarchy was overthrown, replaced by a communist regime.

5. First Soviet Romanian leader Was able to carry out an independent foreign and economic policy until his death. 1948 – Red Army was withdrawn from Romania Late 1950s – initiated the creation of heavy industry 1952 – Opened up relations with the west “[Romania] could, for instance, it is thought, obtain higher prices on the world market for much of what she is forced to export to Russia, foodstuffs included, in return for machinery and aid.” The Times of August 29, 1953

6. 1957 - trade with the West had increased to 25% of Romania’s total trade Early 1960s - Romania was more industrialized and productive After World War II: 80% of the population had worked in agriculture By 1963, 65% did.

7. Known for its independent foreign policy from the USSR Denounced the Soviet Union after the invasion of Czechoslovakia His aim was to make Romania a world power Remained open to trade with the West Was greatly inspired by China, North Korea and North Vietnam

8. 1974 – Introduced the concept of President of Romania: Head of state, head of the armed forces, head of the Communist Party Introduced Systemization Moving rural population to large urban centers Rural resettlement Villages were mandated to be agriculturally self-sufficient

9. Created a Cult of Personality around himself Censorship introduced Banned abortion and contraceptives Was paranoid, and appointed his family members to high positions in the government (socialism in one family) Used Securitate to control all aspects of private life Tapped phone and fax lines, informers, planted microphones in people’s houses, carried out assassinations “The only unclear moment is whose dictatorship is it--[Nicolae] Ceausescu's himself or his wife's?” Mitterand on Ceausescu in 1989, talking to Gorbachev

10. Seen as a maverick from the West, he was offered help He abused of this and borrowed $13 billion, but they devastated the country’s finance 1980s – most of the agricultural and industrial output was to be exported 1981 – food rationing introduced 1989 - GNP fell by 10%, shortages became more pronounced and unemployment began to rise

11. 16 th of December 1989 in Timisoara – Hungarian Reformed Church pastor was being evicted from his church and home (Laszlo Tokes) Many people started protesting and surrounded the house The police opened fire The whole country found out of this event despite censorship and started revolting all around the country against the oppressors 21 st of December – Ceausescu addresses an assembly of people accusing the protesters of fascism Most people jeered at him

12. 22 nd of December – Romanian defense minister commits suicide The army changed sides Ceausescu managed to escape with his wife, but were eventually recaptured Show trial broadcasted on TV and executed

13. The Securitate was worse than Soviet levels, but not as bad as East German ones He saw Gorbachev’s policies as an aggression towards his management Criticized perestroika, stating that he introduced it 10 years earlier in Romania Despite all his attempts to make Romania appear as a strong international force, he was still looked down at from the other Eastern Countries as a delusional leader After Ceausescu was kicked out from Bucharest, both Eastern and Western countries came in to aid (Gorbachev included) to help stabilize a new government The National Salvation Front (NFL) led by Ion Iliescu (Ceausescu’s old supporter) eventually gained power and was elected leader of the country.