I.  History
Supported Nazi invasion of SU
Reparations, lost territory to SU

Gheorghe Georghiu-Dej fist leader of Romanian Worker’s Party

II.  Nicolae Ceausescu (and wife Irena) 1965-1989
Personality cult

Draconian policies, intensely repressive, state police Securitate

No independent civil society, opposition culture

Exceptions:
Timosoara
Dissident Hungarian cleric Laszlo Toekes (Reform Church)

Brutal crackdown on his supporters, leads to outrage, protest

Coalminers

 
III.  Ethnic Diversity/Nationalism
Under Ceausescu, discrimination against:
Hungarian minority in Transylvania (1.7 mln; 9% of population) (Catholic)
Romani
Jews

Ceausescu’s remedy to ethnic problems: extreme pro-natalism; abortion illegal, criminalized for doctors and women; birth control illegal.

Legacies:  when Ceausescu ousted, world reacted with horror at the discovery of the living conditions at Romanian orphanages

Today, Romania has highest abortion rate and pregnancy related mortality rates in Europe;

IV.  Economic Hardship
Through 1980s Romania had one of lowest standards of living in CE Europe
Chronic shortages, even food

Everything exported, indebtedness

Quotas, cajoling

GDP now (2001):  $5,900 per capita
Inflation 2002: down to 17.8%!!!

 
V.  December 1989: End of Ceausescus
Spontaneous, surprising

Caught by mob trying to leave country

Tried for treason against the Romanian people and executed (on Christmas, 1989!!)

Power passes to National Salvation Front

Leader Ion Ilescu (president)

Maintains Securitate, surveillance, censorship
Nostalgia for Fascism of interwar period

VI. Democratic Consolidation
1996 Parliamentary and Presidential Elections
Emil Constantinescu, moderate pro-West reformer wins presidency

Center Right Democratic Convention wins plurality (30%) in Parliament

2000 elections
Ion Ilesescu wins back presidency (PSDR)
Adrian Nastase (PSDR) premier