REVOLTA MINERILOR DIN MOTRU (19 OCTOMBRIE 1981) (I)
THE REVOLT OF MINERS FROM MOTRU (19 OCTOBER 1981) (I)

Summary/Abstract: There are not many collective revolts during the dictatorship of Nicolae Ceauşescu. Unfortunately, the uprisings which took place are not thoroughly known. Romanian scholars wrote about the strike of Lupeni (August, 1977), about the revolt of the workers of Braşov (November, 1987). But no word was spoken about the events which had taken place in Motru. A short length in time of this political and social revolt could be a reason of the silence. The revolt of the miners took place in Motru in 19th October 1981. From the beginning, we must underline the anticommunist nature of this uprising. On the other hand, this movement had a social nature, but the political nature is more important. This nature of the revolt is preponderant. The favorite slogans of the miners express undoubtedly this reality. Among the most meaningful slogans were: „Down Ceauşescu”, „Down the dictator”, and even „Down the communism”. Other slogans, as „We want bread”, also prove the social nature of the revolt. The „spark” of the uprising was the decree number 313 of 17th October 1981. That decree introduced the ration books of the bread into the miner towns. The communist authorities denied any political nature of the revolt. They judged and condemned the leaders as ordinary prisoners. The leaders were not condemned for their political activity. Some miners were thrown into prison. The revolt of the miners of Motru represents the most important moment of the collective resistance against the late communism. There was a real blow for the communist regime. It also proved the weakness and the incompetence of the regime. It was the consequence of the cold, of the fear, of the hunger of Romanian people. A strong reason of the revolt was the low living standard in the communist Romania.

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