Labels:text | font | paper | black and white | document OCR: Many of Romania's foreign policy tensions are the legacy of its long history of redrawn borders. Former territories are resisting reunification, primarily on eco- nomic grounds. Q 1859 Unification of Moldova and Wallachia forms basis of future Romania. O 1878 Independence, but at cost of losing Bessarabia to Russia. 1916-1918 Enters World War I on Allied side. At end of war, gains substantial territory, including Transylvania from Hungary. Q 1924 Communists banned in unstable political arena. Rise of fascist "Iron Guard." 0 1938 King Carol establishes royal autocracy. 0 1940 Under extreme pressure, territory ceded to Soviet Union, Bulgaria and Hungary. Iron Guard stages coup. King Carol ab dicates in favor of son, Michael. Tripartite Pact with Germany. 0 1941 Enters war on Axis side, hoping to recover Bessarabia from the Soviets. 0 1944 Romania switches sides as Soviet troops reach border. 0 1945 Soviet-backed regime installed. Romanian Communist Party plays an increasing role. Q 1946 Paris Peace Conference gives Romania Transylvania but not Bessarabia, which goes to Soviets, who also demand huge reparations. Communist-led National Democratic Front wins majority in disputed election results. 1947 King Michael forced to abdicate. 1948-1953 Centrally planned economy put in place. O 1953 Leaders of Jewish community prosecuted for Zionism. 0 1958 Soviet troops withdraw. Q 1964 Prime Minister Gheorghiu-Dej declares national sovereignty. Proposes joint COMECON planning to lessen Soviet economic control. Q 1965 Ceausescu becomes party secretary after death of Gheorghiu-Dej. 1968-1980 Condemnation of Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia; successful courting of USA and EC. O 1982 Ceaunlescu vows to pay off foreign debt. O 1987 Brasov party headquarters ransacked in riot, which is forcibly suppressed. O 1989 Demonstrations, in which many killed by the military. Armed forces join with opposition in National Salvation Front (NSF) to form government. Ion Iliescu declared president. Ceausescu summarily tried and shot. 0 1990 Elections held, in which NSF victorious. Amnesty for political prisoners. (Many later reinterned.) O 1991 New constitution, providing for market reform, approved in referendum. 1992 Second free elections. NSF splits into two factions: DNSF and NSF. DNSF forms minority government. 1993 No-confidence motion fails. O 1994 Largest general strike since 1989, demanding faster pace of economic reform.
