Hunkyung (Angela) Park Communism in Romania Hunkyung (Angela) Park

Table of Contents Introduction Background Argument Conclusion Unit question & Research question Background Romania / Ceausescu Argument Ceausescu’s policies Conclusion Work Cited

Research Question Research question Why is it related to ‘communism’? To what extend did Nicolae Ceausescu break from the Soviet Union, and establish a financially and politically independent Romania? Ceausescu was a communist leader. He was influenced by communist theory He admired communism in China and North Korea From 1944-1958, the Soviet Union occupied Romania. Although Soviet troops left in 1958, Romania remained behind the ‘Iron Curtain’. However, Ceausescu often did not support the decisions and policies of its communist neighbors, and the Soviet Union.

Why is it significant? We can learn about the effect of Communist politics on Romania in the 20th century, including the effects on its development and economy. Makes us reflect on how successful Communism is as a political system Ceausescu was a communist leader, but not always supporting the Soviet Union. Romania was part of the Eastern Bloc which was led by the Soviet Union. However, Ceausescu did not always agree with Soviet policies.

Romania Located at the intersection of Central and Southeastern Europe, bordering on the Black Sea The eighth largest country of the European Union Has more than 19 million people

Socialist Republic of Romania Existed officially from 1965 to 1989 Romania's scarce post-war resources were drained. Allowed the Soviet Union to control Romania's major sources of income. Romania's communist government began to assert more independence.

How was communist government established in Romania? The Soviet Union occupied Romania in 1945. Under pressure from the Soviet Union, the Romanian Communist Party was set up Romania lost its political independence, but Communism was growing in popularity.

Nicolae Ceusescu Became the leader of Romania in 1965 Was the head of the Romanian Communist Party He had followed communism for many years. Example was a member of the Communist Youth Movement admired and supported the Cultural Revolution in China and the communist government in Korea

After World War 2 Romania was also occupied by the Germans during World War 2. After that, the Soviet Union took control. Romania became not only politically dependent on the Soviet Union but also economically dependent. Their financial resources were empty After two occupations the Romanian people may have wanted independence. Communism may also have been appealing because of the ideas of social equality and empowerment of ordinary people.

Nicolae Ceusescu A communist follower for a long time before he became leader He had already seen the examples of communism at work in China and North Korea. He could implement communist politics in his own country. Many of his decisions show his desire to do this. Examples set up a centralized administration in Romania all policies were made by one centralized government over the whole country

Ceausescu’s decisions as leader Wanted to stimulate the economy and agricultural development creating large ‘agro-industrial centers’ in the countryside required that small rural settlements of less than 2000 people were destroyed The Romanian people lacked freedom of speech citizen surveillance and the media was controlled by the government Set up a personality cult Gave important positions in his party to family members, such as his wife.

Ceausescu’s attitude towards Russia Was also a nationalistic leader and tried to seek independence from the Soviet Union challenging Soviet leadership of Romania Examples condemned the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968 also condemned the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 He pursued a closer relationship with the Federal Republic of Germany, economic relations in 1963 and diplomatic relations in 1967. The Federal Republic was allied with the West, not with the Soviet Union

Primary sources “President Nicolae Ceausescu sought today to protect Rumanian independence from the Soviet Union by obtaining unanimous parliamentary approval for his program of national sovereignty combined with strict adherence to socialism.” “It may now be appropriate to say that Nicolae Ceausescu is the man who has taken charge of breaking up the Soviet Empire.”

How far Ceusescu set up a financially and politically independent Romania Despite his efforts to drive the economy and development, many of his ideas failed. ‘His policies impoverished Romanians and exhausted the Romanian economy’. Examples Towards the end of the 1970’s, it was clear that Ceausescu’s plans for development and economic growth were failing. Romania remained one of the poorest countries in Europe. From 1977-1981, Romania’s foreign debt increased very much from 3 to 10 billion Dollars. Ceausescu then decided that this foreign debt had to be paid. This made the poverty of Romanians worse The final result of all this could be said to be the revolution in 1989 in which Ceausescu was killed.

Conclusion In his policies, Ceausescu was strongly influenced by Communist thought and examples. He broke away from Soviet control to a great degree. He established a politically independent Romania by following and breaking from the Soviet Union at the same time. However, he failed at establishing a strong economy.

Work Cited Binder, David. "Ceausescu of Rumania - Man Battering At the Kremlin Wall Man Battering at the Kremlin Wall - Article - NYTimes.com." Editorials, Columns, Op-Ed, Letters, Opinionator and More Opinion - The New York Times. 29 May 1966. Web. 27 May 2013. "Ceausescu, Nicolae." Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Online School Edition. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 2013. Web. 16 May 2013. Lee, John. M. "Ceausescu Takes Steps to Protect Rumanian Independence From Soviet Attack – S EEKS TO OBVIATE INVASION PRETEXT - Article - NYTimes.com." Editorials, Columns, Op- Ed, Letters, Opinionator and More Opinion - The New York Times. 23 Aug. 1968. Web. 27 May 2013. "Nicolae Ceausescu, 1918-1989." The History Guide -- Main. Web. 20 May 2013. "Nicolae Ceausescu." moreorless heroes & killers of the 20th century. Web. 20 May 2013. peninsula, the entire Balkan. "Romania - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Web. 22 May 2013. region, historical. "History of Romania - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Web. 20 May 2013. SSR, elorussian. "Socialist Republic of Romania - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Web. 22 May 2013. Subject. "JSTOR: An Error Occurred Setting Your User Cookie." JSTOR: An Error Occurred Setting Your User Cookie. Web. 16 May 2013.