Kingdom of Romania

The Kingdom of Romania was a constitutional monarchy that lasted from March 25, 1881, when Prince Karl of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen became King Carol I, until December 30, 1947, when King Michael I gave up his throne. During this time, Romania grew from two smaller lands called Moldavia and Wallachia into an independent country.

Romania became free from the Ottoman Empire in 1877–1878 after a war with Russia. Later, after World War I, Romania grew bigger and was called “Greater Romania” because it included new lands like Bessarabia, Banat, Bukovina, and Transylvania.

During World War II, Romania first fought with the Axis powers but then changed sides in 1944. However, by 1947, influence from the nearby Soviet Union led to the end of the monarchy, and Romania became a People’s Republic.

History

Unification and monarchy

See also: Unification of Moldavia and Wallachia and Romanian War of Independence

In 1859, a prince named Alexandru Ioan Cuza ruled both Moldavia and Wallachia, uniting them under one leader while still under the Ottoman Empire. By 1862, the two areas were formally united into the Principality of Romania, with Bucharest as its capital.

In 1866, Cuza was forced to leave, and a German prince named Karl took over, later called Carol. Romania remained under Ottoman control but acted more like an independent country with its own flag, anthem, and currency. After a war in 1877–1878, Romania became fully independent and joined the Kingdom of Romania in 1881 when Carol became its first king.

During this time, Romania was surrounded by large empires and looked to France for culture and education. In 1913, Romania joined the Second Balkan War and gained land from Bulgaria. In 1916, Romania entered World War I on the side of the Entente. Though its military struggles were mixed, by the end of the war, Romania joined regions like Transylvania, Bessarabia, and Bukovina.

Old Kingdom (1881–1918)

Main articles: Romanian Old Kingdom and Romania during World War I

The Romanian Old Kingdom refers to the first independent Romanian nation state, made up of Wallachia and Moldavia. It grew when it added Northern Dobruja in 1878, became a kingdom in 1881, and added Southern Dobruja in 1913.

After World War I, the Old Kingdom was different from Greater Romania, which included more lands like Transylvania and Bessarabia. Today, “Old Kingdom” mostly refers to historical areas like Wallachia, Moldavia, and Northern Dobruja.

World War I

Main article: Romania in World War I

Romania joined World War I in 1916 but faced difficulties. The Central Powers pushed back Romania’s attacks and took over parts of the country. By 1917, Romania continued to fight hard but had to stop after Russia left the war. Romania briefly stopped fighting but joined again in late 1918, just before the war ended in Europe. After this, Transylvania, Bessarabia, and others united with Romania.

Greater Romania

Union with Bessarabia, Bukovina and Transylvania

Main articles: Union of Transylvania with Romania, Union of Bessarabia with Romania, and Union of Bukovina with Romania

See also: Greater Romania

At a peace meeting, Romania gained lands including Transylvania, Bessarabia, and Bukovina. Hungary gave up claims to Transylvania, and Romania’s size more than doubled by 1920. There were some border changes later, like small exchanges with the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes.

Romania’s growth made neighbors like Bulgaria, the Soviet Union, and Hungary unhappy. The new, larger Romania had many different people, including Hungarians, and faced challenges in bringing everyone together. While some groups like Germans and Hungarians could have their own schools and use their languages in courts, others, like Jews, did not have the same rights.

The interbellum years

The period after the Great Union did not last through World War II. Until 1938, Romania kept a constitutional monarchy, though its governments often changed. Political groups like the National Liberal Party became less liberal and more nationalist. By the 1930s, the country faced social unrest, strikes, and the rise of extreme political groups.

King Ferdinand died in 1927, and his son Prince Carol was initially not allowed to become king due to past scandals. After years away, Carol returned and became king with support from some political groups. During this time, the country dealt with economic problems from the Great Depression and the growing influence of Germany.

As the 1930s went on, Romania’s democracy weakened. The king had the power to change governments often, leading to instability. Extreme political groups gained power, and violence sometimes broke out between different factions.

World War II

See also: Soviet occupation of Bessarabia and Northern Bukovina, Second Vienna Award, and Treaty of Craiova

Post-war Kingdom (1945–1947)

See also: Soviet occupation of Romania and Michael I of Romania § Reign under Communism

Economy

Pre-Kingdom Era to World War I

When the Kingdom of Romania was proclaimed, the country already had several factories, including steam mills, a brick factory, and sugar factories. The world’s first oil refinery was built in Ploiești in 1857. Railways were also being built, and in 1880, the state railway company CFR was founded. After becoming a kingdom, Romania continued to grow its industries, building more sugar factories and expanding its railway network.

Agriculture

Even with growing industry, most of Romania’s economy was based on farming. In 1919, about 72% of people worked in agriculture. Farms were often very small and used old methods without modern machines or fertilizers. Many farmers grew only grain for their own needs rather than crops to sell. Efforts to change this, like land reforms, had limited success because farms remained small and problems like too many people in rural areas persisted.

Expansion and growth

Romania’s economy grew over time. By 1938, its total economic output was significant, though it faced challenges like public debt. The country’s economy was a mix of industry and farming, with efforts to modernize and expand various sectors.

Industrial development

Despite damage from World War I, Romania’s industry grew with new factories and improvements to older ones. Companies like MALAXA built and repaired trains, and new factories produced metals and optical goods. Construction also boomed, with famous monuments like the Arcul de Triumf being built. The oil industry expanded greatly, making Romania an important oil producer by the late 1930s.

Armament industry

During World War I, Romania improved its military equipment by upgrading guns and building new artillery. The country also designed its own weapons, like a large mortar and one of the world’s first metal aircraft. The navy had strong river ships. Between the wars and during World War II, Romania expanded its military industry, building aircraft, guns, and other weapons, often using licenses from other countries to produce them locally.

Demographics

According to the 1930 Romanian Census, Romania had a population of 18,057,028. Romanians made up 71.9% of the population and 28.1% of the population were ethnic minorities.

Cities

Largest cities as per 1930 census:

Notes: 1 - including 12 suburban communities.

Two of Romania's seven largest cities in 1930 are currently located outside of Romania as a result of World War II border changes.

Education

While the Romanian nobility had a long tradition of sending their sons to Europe's finest schools, the educated were otherwise a tiny minority. Transylvania had the most educated population in Greater Romania, while Bessarabia fared the worst. While legally all Romanians were required to undergo at least four years of schooling, in practice few actually did and the system was designed to separate those who would go on to higher education from those who would not. While this was partially necessary due to limited resources, it ensured that peasants had almost no chance of becoming educated.

High school and college education in Romania was modeled after the French system. Students undertook a rigid curriculum based around the liberal arts.

Administrative division

See also: Historical administrative divisions of Romania

After gaining independence, Romania was divided into 33 counties. Later, after World War I, the country was reorganized into 71 counties, many smaller districts, and thousands of communes. In 1938, King Carol II changed the way Romania was divided again, creating ten larger regions called "lands." However, this system did not last long, and the old counties returned after Carol's rule ended.

Maps

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  Administrative map of Romania in 1881–1913

Administrative map of Romania in 1925–1938

Regions (Ținuturi) of Romania in 1938–1940

Romania in 1942

Kingdom of Romania in 1947

Timeline (1859–1940)

Some newspapers from the Kingdom of Romania include:

• Alegătorul liber, January 23, 1875
• Bukarester Tagblatt, August 10, 1880 (in German)
• Voința naționala, November 1, 1884
• Opinia, August 22, 1913

Monarchs

See also: King of Romania and List of heads of state of Romania

The Kingdom of Romania had several kings who led the country from 1881 until 1947. King Carol I was the first king, ruling from 1881 to 1914. After him, King Ferdinand I ruled from 1914 to 1927. During some years, Prince Nicholas served as regent until King Carol II took over from 1930 to 1940. Finally, King Michael I was king from 1927 to 1930 and again from 1940 until 1947, when the kingdom ended.

Kings of Romania (1881–1947)

Further information: Lifespan Timeline of Kings of Romania

Queens-consort of Romania

Timeline

This is a graphical lifespan timeline of Kings

Royal standards

See also: List of Romanian flags

The Kingdom of Romania had different royal standards during its time. From 1881 to 1922, one design was used, and from 1922 to 1947, a new design was used for the royal standard.

Royal Standard (1881–1922)

Royal Standard (1922–1947)