History
Romanian ancestry can be traced back to the Dacians, a people whose culture was influenced by the Greeks and later by the Romans who conquered in 106 AD. Romania endured nine centuries of barbarian invasions which slowed the process of unification.
In the 14th century, Moldavia (in the east) and Wallachia (in the south) became independent principalities but united in 1861 to end 300 years of Turkish rule.
Over the next 50 years, regions in and around Romania were passed around like trading cards. After World War I, Romania received Bessarabia (modern-day Moldova) from Russia, and Transylvania, Banat and Bukovina from the defeated Austro-Hungarian Empire. During World War II, the Nazis occupied Romania while Hungary, the Soviet Union and Bulgaria captured various territories.
In an effort to halt the dismemberment, Romania joined Germany in attacking Russia in 1941. An ensuing three year power struggle ended in 1944 when King Michael had the pro-Nazi general, Ion Antonescu, arrested and Romania switched to the Allied side. Russian occupation began a short while later and the Soviets soon abolished the monarchy, exiled King Michael, and annexed Bessarabia to Russia.
From 1965-1989, Nicolae Ceausescu ruled the communist state with an iron fist, cutting off all outside influence (including the Soviets) and thrusting most of the population into abject poverty. In spite of his violent resistance to Europe’s push for democracy, he and his wife were executed during an uprising in 1989.
The Communist Party remained in control lead by Iliescu. Civil unrest marked the beginning of his rule but once reelected, he strove to improve Romania’s international image, abolishing laws that favored ethnic Romanians and signing a friendship treaty with Hungary.
The slow pace of reform frustrated people and brought an end to communism and a quick succession of presidents and prime ministers. In 2007, Romania joined the European Union.
Source: Romania CultureGram 2009
