1945
— The
Yalta Agreement makes Romania part of the Soviet system.
1947 — With Soviet troops on its territory, Romania enters
the sphere of influence of the Soviet Union. The communists, who
gradually took power, force King Michael to abdicate and proclaim
Romania a People's Republic.
1950s — After Stalin's
death, Romania begins to distance itself from Moscow.
***
1965, March 22 - Nicolae Ceausescu is elected as the successor of Gheorghe Gheorghiu Dej
1965, July/ - Central Committee to change the name of the party from the Romanian Workers' Party to the Romanian Communist Party, to reflect the beginning transition from socialism to communism.
1966 - celebration of the 45th anniversary of the founding of the Romanian Communist Party
1968 — The condemnation of Soviet intervention in Czechoslovakia by Romania's communist leader Nicolae Ceausescu, earns him praise and economic aid from the West
1970 - The economy began to fail in the 1970s - by 1979 the huge, uneconomic oil refineries were functioning at 10% or their capacity, unrealistic targets were set for factory and agricultural workers alike and the standard of living plummeted. Despite Romania having been the bread basket of Eastern Europe production continued to fall as a result of collectivisation and rigid Stalinist policies which even placed quotas on food produced on individual plots. By 1981 bread rationing had been introduced and there were severe shortages resulting in hours of standing in queues. Meanwhile, Ceausescu dismissed the problems with comments that Romanians eat too much and in 1985 announced a "scientific diet" for all Romanians, controlling nutrition. In reality food supplies fell short even of this!
1980-1989 - "Golden Age"