Brief background history and Romania after the fall of Communism

Romania is a country that has had to fight for their stability and for the position they are in today. Romania formerly a poverty stricken Soviet Bloc country has not had much opportunity to expand as a nation, yet today Romania succeeds in tourism and availability of resources. To get to this point however, Romania had to unify as a country as spoken on December 1, 1918 at the Great National Assembly in Alba Lulia, “unification of all Romanians- with Romania for all ages to come.” This day became Romania’s National Day to remember their Great Union.

After the Great National Assembly the Romanian Government followed a democratic based system, but between the Depression of 1929 to 1933 the social instability led to King Carol proclaiming a Royal Government in 1938. Romania was struggling to govern itself when in 1940 it was taken over by the Soviet Union due to strained relations with the USSR and Germany. This begins the battle of Romania trying to protect their land and fight to regain their independence from other nations and protect their land.

Romania thrown into the war sided with Germany and eventually fell under Stalin and Churchill’s power (1944) and became a communist country. After a string of dictators, which implemented foreign policies and eventually led to economic, social, and moral depression, Romania became filled with corruption and violation of human rights. Being completely isolated from the Western world Romania was at a falling pint of poverty and ruins.

As it seemed that Romania could not plummet any farther Ceausescu (dictator) was overthrown and executed in 1989, allowing the country to begin its slow climb back to a functioning economy. In 1989 there was a reestablishment of democracy and return to market economy. As Romania re-integrated into the European cultural world they began to see changes throughout their society. Although many Romanian’s still reside in poverty, the overall quality of their country had immensely increased.

While Romania used to be a swamp of bleak tragedy, now Romania is filled with color, culture, and recreation. As Romania climbs out of the slump they lived in for so long it is a country that holds much individuality and personality to experience.


After the Fall of Communism

After the fall of Communism, Romania was left to face many demanding challenges, some of which the country is still facing today. Currently Romania is focusing its efforts on a transition to a market economy and western European structures as a member of the European Union. Rekindling the pride and Romanian spirit is also an issue. Fifty years of Communist rule negatively affected the people’s sense of mission, leadership and involvement with the rest of the world. Now working to improve education, health care and a shifting government and politics, the “New Romania” has come a long way in a couple short decades. Also, with such population of various ethnic groups Romania is also working towards bridging the gap between minorities, especially the Rroma or Gypsy population and others.

Americans typically know Romania as a country of Dracula, Communist leader Nicolae Ceausescu, and its numerous orphanages. However, Romania is in the process of changing this negative image as they emerge as a democratic country and promote tourism. Much has changed since the fall of communism in the traveling business. Historical sites as well as recreational areas that were once closed during communist rule have reopened with a new vigor, and in such a short time, the traveling business has done quite well. Focusing on their beautiful landscapes, medieval castles and resorts, the “New Romania” has attracted a new kind of tourist to Western Europe, one in search of rediscovering a country once cast aside by most travelers.

Once torn apart by a Communist rule, travelers will be pleasantly surprised to find how quickly the country has recovered and has refocused its direction towards the future. Although challenges still lie ahead, with such large strides in democracy, the economy, the Romanian spirit and the tourism business, Romania looks to a bright future