How Did Romania Unite? | The Two Romanian Unifications

What caused the principalities of Romania to unite? For centuries, the Romanian lands (Transylvania, Wallachia, and Moldavia) were divided between empires but in the 19th and early 20th centuries, they united into a cohesive nation-state. By forging a path that saw them avoid provoking their more powerful neighbours, even while political divide was the norm at home, the people of Romania were able to create their country and reinvigorate their nation.

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Sources Consulted:

Cercel, Sevastian. “The Legislative Unification of the Romanian Principalities (1859-1866).” Anuarul Institutului de Cercetări Socio-Umane “C.S. Nicolăescu-Plopșor” XXI:215-235.


Miller, Stuart T. Mastering Modern European History. London: Macmillan Education LTD, 1990.

[pliska]

I see Romania, I like. Much respect and love to our northern and best neighbour from Bulgaria. Hopefully together for a very long time and zero borders and more Danube bridges very soon.

[ZaKRo-bxlp]

It's so fascinating to me that a language and culture as unique as Romania's survived to the present day after the Roman retreat from Dacia by Aurelian in the 3rd century. Great video

[fd]

A Hungarian colleague went on a business trip to Bucharest. The company booked him a room at a hotel called Trianon. Fortunately, he is a nice guy and made fun of the whole story.

[EnjoyTraditions]

The video clearly tells you a short explanation of the romanian unions in a simple and efficient way. Thank you 🇲🇩❤️🇷🇴

[InAeternumRomaMater]

I would also like to point out that during the Great War, in 1918 when Romania 'supposedly' signed the Treaty of Bucharest, actually Ferdinand the First of Romania didn't sign it which makes the Treaty useless. Romania was still at war but earlier in 1917 Romania did sign an armistice in Focșani which only stopped the fighting while still at war. That's why Romania rejoined WW1, because it never signed a peace Treaty but it only had an armistice with the Central Powers. And another thing is even tho Carol the First joined secretly the Central Powers, it was a defensive alliance, so when Austro-Hungarian Empire declared war on Serbia in 1914, Romania didn't have to join as it was not a defensive act of Austro-Hungarian Empire to attack Serbia.

[noras.]

Congratulations! I’m from Romania and I’m glad that you reveal the struggle of our country for independence!

[rotari]

There were de facto 3 unions. The first one took place in Medieval times under the rule of Michael the Brave, but it didn't last more than 1~3 years, since he was assassinated. This union was formed by Wallachia, Transylvania and Moldavia

[tepesobrejac]

I don't believe the 1848 revolution attempt in Moldavia was that insignificant as you make it out to be in this video. While on the short-term the revolution was unsuccessful, the revolutionaries managed to run away to Austria and then France where they heavily campaigned for the cause of Romanian nationalism and managed to win over the support of the French public, which initially was completely oblivious of the existence of Wallachia and Moldavia, for the union of the two principalities. This is one of the reasons why, after the Crimean war France and Britain permitted the Divanele ad hoc to form.

[alykarstar]

I think you are one of the few content creators that pronounced names almost perfectly, good job!

[Lloyd]

As a Romanian, thank you for making this video! Our Romanian brothers are most persecuted in Northern Bukovina sadly. Happy Little Union!

[_]

I am Romanian and this is the best YouTube video I've seen on the 1859 events. Excellent work

[RmbL]

Some other things that could have added about Cuza:

Pros: He switched from the Cyrillic Alphabet to the Latin one and this marked a great turning point as it signaled that for the first time in many centuries the country was looking towards the west.
He nationalized church proprieties that were about a third of the arrable land in Romania. This had also the effect of decreasing the church's power in the principalities.
He freed the gypsies (i think most of them were freed in the 1830's or 40's but his decrees finally freed the last ones that were held by the church)
Con: He did a coup in 1864 and he stayed in power with increased prerogatives instead of holding elections as he promised.

About Carol the 1st, you could have also mentioned that he came to Romania in discuise as the Austro-Prussian war had already started.

[Veriox]

Ι didn't know so many things about Romania. Thanks for the details in the video.

[raressipoteanu]

I am Romanian, thank you very much for this!

[EuropeanFella]

Thank you for this video! Love from Romania ❤

[lenead]

I literally had an exam on this 9h ago. Stayed all the night studying topics for it (this being one of them). And now after the exam, YouTube recommend me this video. I wish I'd found it yesterday... Thanks for the video anyways! And I encourage you to continue doing this, especially with Romania and Basarabia...

[Tanu.]

Thanks for the video mate! From a romanian history-loving dude 🇷🇴

[Rakagann]

I'm a history student.
This is a really well-made History of the Unification. Approved!

[notisity]

Actually Romania united 3 times. When Mihai Viteazul was ruling the country in 1600-1601 Romania was united for a few months. Wallachia, Moldavia and Transylvania united for i think 6 months. They were united for so little time because Mihai Viteazul got assassinated by the habsburgs. After that Romania got separated again. The other 2 unions were inspired by this one

[Fummy]

Thanks James, really great research in this one. The maps make it all so clear and obvious