The History Of Romania In Brief

Filed Under Politics |

by John Doyle

Getting to know the history of a nation is a must if you are interested in understanding its people. The history of Romania is the history of the events that took place from ancient times, i.e. the third century B.C. to the present day, when the modern day nation state of Romania that you see on the map evolved after going through many turmoils, and its boundaries got redrawn a number of times. It is also the history of its people, the very people, who gave Romania national identity and distinct cultural flavor.

At the end of the third century B.C., the region now covered by Romania was populated by people of Dacia, who were of Thracian origin. During the rule of Burebista (82 - 44 B.C.), the first state was founded in this region. The new state, however, had to face a formidable foe in the dominant power of that time, the Roman Empire. After a series of conflicts the state was finally annexed by the Romans during the reign of Emperor Trajan.

With the decline and fall of the Roman Empire Romania, like the rest of Central Europe, was ravaged by various tribes. From 10th to 12th centuries it was under the rule of the Hungarians. The rule passed on to the Ottoman Turks and till 1541 Romania remained under the Turkish Empire. In the year 1600, there were three distinct states of Moldavia, Transylvania and Walachia. Michael the Brave succeeded in unifying them, but only for a brief period. The next to to rule Romania were the Austrians till 1775, and in 1812 Romania came under Russian rule.

1848, the year of revolutions, saw a great revolution for independence in Romania too. In 1859, Alexander John Cuza helped to unite the provinces of Moldavia and Walachia and the modern state of Romania came into existence.

In addition, in 1877 Romanians obtained their independence. Then Romania took part in the First World War and after that, in 1918, in Alba Iulia Transylvania was officially added to the rest of Romania.

The end of the First World War signified great changes in Europe. The Russian and the Austro-Hungarian empires existed no more, and Romania gained the provinces of Bessarabia and Bucovina.

From 1938 to 1944 Romania was involved in the Second World War. During this time a king, who was forced to leave his throne in 1940 out of political reasons, ruled Romania. At the end of the Second World War, Transylvania belonged to Romania, but they lost part of Bucovina, Bessarabia and Dobrogea.

Romania became a satellite state of the Soviet Union after the War, but followed more or less independent policies. However, with coming to power Nicolai Ceausescu, a dark period started in the history of the country. Romania was a socialist republic during his regime, with communism as the avowed policy of the state. Citizens of the country suffered from deprivation and hunger under his authoritarian rule. Countless restrictions were imposed, from television to freedom of worship. In fact, a number of churches were pulled down.

However, nowadays this period is controversial, as there are nostalgic people who believe that nowadays things are worse in Romania. So in December 1989, on Christmas day, Nicolai Ceausescu and his wife Elena Ceausescu were executed after a sort of made up trial.

Nowadays Romania has a democratic constitution and since 1989 three presidents ruled it: Ion Iliescu, Emil Constantinescu and Trajan Basescu, who is the President of Romania since 2004. In 2002 Romania adhered to NATO and since 2007 Romania is a member of European Union.

This short overview of the history of Romania will give you some sort of background as to the events that took place down the ages in this small country in the hinterland of Europe.

About the Author:

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