Kingdom of Romania

The Kingdom of Romania was a constitutional monarchy from March 25, 1881, to December 30, 1947. It started when Prince Karl of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen became King Carol I. It ended 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.” 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. 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.

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 and strikes.

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.

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 started, it already had factories like steam mills, a brick factory, and sugar factories. The world’s first oil refinery was built in Ploiești in 1857. Railways were being built, and in 1880, the state railway company CFR was founded. After becoming a kingdom, Romania kept growing its industries, building more sugar factories and expanding its railways.

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. Many farmers grew grain just for their own needs. Efforts to change this had limited success because farms stayed small.

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.

Industrial development

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

Armament industry

During World War I, Romania improved its military equipment. The country also designed its own weapons. Between the wars and during World War II, Romania expanded its military industry, building aircraft and guns, often using licenses from other countries.

Demographics

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

Cities

The largest cities in 1930 were:

Notes: 1 - including 12 suburban communities.

Two of Romania's largest cities in 1930 are now in different countries because of World War II border changes.

Education

Only a few people in Romania were educated. Transylvania had the most educated people, while Bessarabia had the fewest. Laws said all children must go to school for four years, but many did not. The school system was set up to prepare some students for higher education and others for work.

High school and college followed the French system. Students studied the liberal arts.

Administrative division

See also: Historical administrative divisions of Romania

After Romania became free, it was split into 33 areas called counties. After World War I, the country was changed again into 71 counties, many small districts, and thousands of villages. In 1938, King Carol II changed the way Romania was split into ten bigger areas called "lands." But this way of splitting the country did not last long. After Carol's rule ended, the old counties came back.

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 over time. From 1881 to 1922, one design was used. From 1922 to 1947, a new design was used.

Royal Standard (1881–1922)

Royal Standard (1922–1947)