History of Romania

Romania is located in southeastern Europe and shares its boundary with Ukraine to the north, Hungary to the northwest, Moldavia to the east, Bulgaria to the south, Yugoslavia to the southwest and Black sea to the southeast.

Romanian civilization is one of the oldest civilizations in Europe, as human fossils around 42,000 years old were discovered in this country. This points to the fact that Romania has been inhabited by people since the prehistoric age.

The Getae Dacian
The oldest written record of people living in the geographical area of present-day Romania is highlighted in Herodotus's book, where he mentions the Getae tribes. In Greek writings, the Dacians were referred to as Getae and the name Daci and Getae was used by the Romans. The Dacians were a part of Thracians, the inhabitants of the area between Northern Carpathian chain and the Balkan mountains.

The Dacian kingdom prospered during the reign of king Burebista. He was a contemporary of Julius Caesar of Rome. Burebista was a powerful king, who conquered many Greek cities like Histria, Tomis and Callatis, and became the ruler of the entire Thracian-Getae-Dacian world. He challenged the Roman empire by extending his support to Pompey, an important military and political figure of ancient Roman empire, in the dispute between the latter and Julius Caesar.

In the civil war between Pompey and Caesar, Caesar emerged victorious; and planned to attack the Dacian kingdom for supporting his enemy. But the plan could not be realized due to his assassination. After few months of Caesar's death, King Buberista was also assassinated, and the Dacian kingdom lost its former glory and power.

In the 1st century BC, the Roman empire expanded its border and Danube became the border between the Roman and the Getae-Dacian kingdom. The Romans waged a war against the Dacians, and after two hard-fought battles, between 101 AD and 106 AD, they succeeded in defeating the Getae-Dacians. Thereafter, the Dacian kingdom became a province of the Roman empire and was recognized as Roman Dacia.

The Roman Dacia
The conversion of the Dacian kingdom into a province of the Roman empire brought about a lot of alterations in the lives of the native population, mainly in the political, social and economic fields. Due to the influence of the Romans, their culture and language also changed.

During the 3rd century, the Roman troops and administrative body left Roman Dacia in the face of possible attacks by the Carpian and Goth tribes. After the retreat of the Romans, Dacia was captured by the Goth tribe and they lived there till the fourth century. Later the Dacian province was seized by Huns, Gepids, Avars and Slavs. They ruled Dacia until 8th century. Roman Dacia became a part of the Bulgarian kingdom after it was invaded by the Bulgarians.

Middle Age
In the middle ages, the Romanians mainly inhabited Wallachia, Moldavia and Transylvania. During the 10th and 11th centuries, Transylvania became an autonomous part of the Hungarian kingdom. Wallachia and Moldavia came under the control of Ottoman empire and had to make an annual contribution to the Ottomans. In 1526, the Ottomans defeated the Hungarians, and Transylvania also became a part of the Ottoman empire.

An important figure in the middle age was Michael, the brave. He was the Prince of Wallachia, Moldavia and Transylvania. Michael's main intention was to unite the lands inhabited by the Romanians and create a single country. For this purpose, he joined the Christian League, comprising Spain, Austria, Ferrara and Montua, and won battles against the Turks. For a while, he even succeeded in his mission of unification of the Romanian lands.

Stephen, the great was another important king. He ruled the Moldavia region between 1457 to 1504, and was a superb military leader. Stephen achieved victory over the Ottomans and also built many churches and monasteries, which are famous for their excellent architecture and painting style. After his death, Moldavia again came under the Ottoman empire.

Early Modern Age
Transylvania, Wallachia and Moldavia had been able to maintain their internal autonomy and some degree of independence under the Ottoman suzerainty until eighteenth century. In the eighteenth century, the Ottoman empire witnessed a gradual decline and lost its former power and glory. The rise of the Russian and Austrian empires affected the political scenario of Romania, and Transylvania was captured by the Austrians. Later on, Bukovina, a part of Moldavia, and Bessarabia also came under the rule of Austria.

In order to suppress the growing desire for freedom in the Romanian principalities, the Ottoman rulers appointed Phanariot princes, (princes from the Phanar district) in Moldavia and Wallachia. This was done with the intention of maintaining Ottoman dominance in those regions, and also to fight against the Russians and the Austrians. During the reign of the Phanariot princes, many socioeconomic reforms were introduced in Moldavia and Wallachia. These included abolition of serfdom and other administrative and legal reforms.

Foundation of Romania
The desire of the Romanians to form an independent nation gave birth to many revolutions in the three principalities. Wallachian uprising took place in 1821, but did not succeed. In 1848, revolution for complete independence took place in the regions of Wallachia, Moldavia and Transylvania. On January 24, 1859, Wallachia and Moldavia were united under the rule of Alexandru loan Cuza.

In 1866, Alexandru Cuza was removed from the throne, and Prince Karl of Hohenzollern (Prince Carol of Romania) was appointed in his place. In 1877, during Russian-Turkish war, the Romanian principalities rendered their support to Russia, and fought against the Turks. After the war, Romania declared independence from the Ottoman empire and got recognition as an independent state with the Treaty of Berlin in 1878. But, in return, Romania had to give up a large portion of Bessebaria to Russia.

Romania during World War I
In 1916, Romania entered World War I as an ally of France, Russia and United Kingdom, on the condition that after the war it would regain its authority over Transylvania. In May 1918, Romania discontinued the war, and signed a treaty with Germany and again joined the war in October, 1918. By then, the Austrian and Russian empires had collapsed; and hence, Bessarabia, Bukovina and Transylvania united with the Romanian kingdom, that led to the formation of Greater Romania.

Romania during World War II
Initially, Romania did not join World War II. During the war, it lost many regions under the pressure of Germany and the Soviet Union. The country lost southern Dobruja to Bulgaria, northern Transylvania to Hungary, Bessarabia and northern Bukovina to the Soviet Union.

Romania witnessed internal disturbances. Since, Carol II, the King of Romania lost many territories as a result of unsuccessful diplomacy, the army decided to overthrow his regime. For that purpose, they supported general Ion Antonescu, and succeeded in bringing down the regime. Initially, Antonescu shared power with the Iron Guards, but within few days he destroyed them and gained control over Romania.

Romania joined the world war as an ally of Germany. The country played an important role in the war as a source of oil for Germany. The Antonescu regime also took part in the holocaust.

In 1944, King Michael I overthrew the Antonescu regime. Romania, then changed its side in the war and rejoined as an ally of United Kingdom, America and Soviet Union. After the world war, Romania reclaimed its control over northern Transylvania.

Communist Period
In 1947, Romania came under the direct control of Soviet Union, and as a result communism was established in Romania. The Russians controlled Romania till 1958. During this period, huge amount of Romania's resources were pulled out of the country, and used in the interest of Soviet Union. In 1958, Soviet Union withdrew its troops from Romania. With that, Nicolae Ceausescu became the new leader of Romania and led a communist regime.

Establishment of Democracy
Between 1977 and 1981, Romania's economic condition started to deteriorate and its foreign debt increased to a large extent. In order to repay such a huge amount of debt, Nicolae Ceausescu introduced many policies, which further worsened the condition of the people and the economy. Gradually, the regime became harsh and rigid, and started torturing the citizens for political and economic reasons.

As a result, Romanian revolution took place in 1989, which brought an end to the communist regime. Ion Iliescu became the leader of the ruling coalition 'National Salvation Front' and democracy was established in Romania. With the end the communist rule, many democratic and free market policies were introduced in the country. Romania became the associated member of the European union in 1995, and finally became a member on January 1, 2007.

Romania has witnessed many unrest and revolutions, and its history is one the most turbulent, yet captivating histories of the world. Despite going through many upheavals, Romanians have succeeded in restoring democracy, stability, peace and order in their country. Romania's economy is growing rapidly, and today, it is one of the fastest growing economies of the European Union.