The Romanian Revolution

The only violent overthrow of a communist government in Eastern Europe in 1989.

Background

Nicolae Ceaușescu had ruled Romania since 1965 and built a personality cult. In the 1980s he forced severe austerity to repay foreign debt, causing shortages of food, heat and electricity, while a powerful secret police monitored the population.

Course of events

Protests began in Timișoara in mid-December 1989 after an attempt to evict the pastor László Tőkés. On 21 December a rally in Bucharest turned against Ceaușescu, and the army went over to the protesters. He and his wife fled by helicopter, were captured, and were executed on 25 December after a brief trial.

Legacy

More than a thousand people died in the fighting. A National Salvation Front took power, and the events and their causes continue to be investigated and debated in Romania.