Kingdom of Romania

From 1859 to 1877, Romania evolved from a "personal union" of two vassal principalities (Moldavia and Wallachia) under a single prince to a full-fledged independent kingdom with a Hohenzollern monarchy. In 1918, at the end of World War I, Transylvania, and Eastern Moldavia (Bessarabia and Northern Bukovina) united with the Kingdom of Romania, resulting in a "Greater Romania". In 1940, at the beginning of World War II, Northern Transylvania, Basarabia and Cadrilater were ceded to Hungary, Soviet Union and Bulgaria respectively, only Northern Transylvania being recovered after the WW II ended. In 1947 the Monarchy was replaced by a Communist Regime.

The interbellum years

The resulting "Greater Romania", did not survive World War II. Most of Romania's pre-World War II governments maintained the form, but not the substance, of a liberal constitutional monarchy. The National Liberal Party, dominant in the years immediately after WWI, became increasingly clientelist and nationalist, and in 1927 was supplanted in power by the National Peasant Party. Between 1930 and 1940 there were over 25 separate governments.

Related Topics:
World War II - National Liberal Party - National Peasant Party

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The 1929 crisis greatly affected Romania and the early 1930s were marked by social unrest, high unemployment, and strikes. In several instances, the Romanian government violently repressed strikes and riots, notably the 1929 miners' strike in Valea Jiului and the strike in the Grivi?a railroad workshops.

Related Topics:
Valea Jiului - Grivi?a

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In the mid-1930s, the Romanian economy recovered and the industry grew significantly, although about 80% of Romanians were still employed in agriculture.

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The 1930s saw the rise of a number of ultra-nationalist parties, notably the fascist Iron Guard movement, exploiting nationalism, fear of communism, and resentment of alleged foreign and Jewish domination of the economy. On February 10, 1938, in order to prevent the formation of a government that would have included Iron Guard ministers, and in direct confrontation to Adolf Hitler's expressed support of the Iron Guard, King Carol II dismissed the government and instituted a short-lived royal dictatorship. (These events are further detailed in the article Romania during World War II.)

Related Topics:
Ultra-nationalist - Fascist - Iron Guard - Jew - February 10 - 1938 - Adolf Hitler - Carol II - Romania during World War II

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In 1939 Germany and the Soviet Union signed the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, which stipulated, among other things, the Soviet "interest" in Bessarabia.

Related Topics:
1939 - Soviet Union - Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact

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Timeline

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1918

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"Greater Romania."

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By the Treaty of Versailles, Romania agreed to grant citizenship to the former citizens of Russian and Austro-Hungarian empires living in the new Romanian territories.

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1919

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A military conflict occurs between Romania and Hungarian Soviet led by Bela Kun. The Romanian Army takes over Budapest on August 4, 1919. The city is ruled by a military administration until November 16, 1919.

Related Topics:
Bela Kun - Budapest - August 4 - November 16

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1920

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Treaty of Trianon upholds Romanian unification.

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1921

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A major and radical agrarian reform

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1923

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The 1923 Constitution is adopted based on a National Liberal Party project.

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Christian National Defense League (LANC) founded.

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1924

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LANC member (later Iron Guard founder) C.Z. Codreanu assassinates Prefect of Police in Ia?i, but is acquitted.

Related Topics:
Iron Guard - C.Z. Codreanu - Ia?i,

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1926

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Liberal Electoral Law adopted.

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"Little Entente" with Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia and Franco-Romanian Treaty.

Related Topics:
Little Entente - Czechoslovakia - Yugoslavia

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1927

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National Peasant Party takes over government from National Liberal Party.

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Legion of the Archangel Michael, later Iron Guard, splits off from LANC.

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Michael (Mihai) become king under a regency regime.

Related Topics:
Michael - Regency

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1929

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Beginning of the Great Depression.

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1930

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Carol II crowned King.

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1931

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First ban on Iron Guard.

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1933

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(February 16) Grivi?a Railcar Workshops strike violently put down by police.

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(December 10) Prime Minister Ion Duca "dissolves" the Iron Guard, arresting thousands; 19 days later he is assassinated by Iron Guard legionnaires.

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1935

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LANC and National Agrarian Party merge to form the fascist National Christian Party (NCP).

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1937

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Electoral "non-aggression pact" between National Peasant Party and Iron Guard, later adding the Agrarian Union. Romanian Communist Party denounces pact, but, in practice, supports the National-Peasants.

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LANC forms government, but is rapidly in conflict with Carol II over his Jewish mistress.

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1938

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(February 10) Royal dictatorship declared. New constitution adopted February 27.

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(November 29-30) Iron Guard leader Codreanu and other legionnaires shot on the king's orders.

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1939

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(March 7) Armand C?linescu forms government.

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Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact stipulates Soviet "interest" in Bessarabia.

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(September 1) Germany invades Poland. Start of World War II.

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(September 21) C?linescu assassinated by Iron Guard legionnaires.

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