World war II - 1940-1945

Development in Romania became academic during the 2nd World War. This escalated when a military dictatorship was established in 1941 under the rule of Antonescu. Antonescu based his foreign policies on an alliance with Nazi Germany in which he believed would help him win and ultimately end the war. Furthermore, he supported and assisted Germany during their invasion of the Soviet Union to take back Bessarabia and Northern Bukovina which were, at the time, occupied by Soviet forces.

Antonescu showed full compliance with Germany's war intentions and committed mass amounts of Romanian manpower/resources as he had expected to take back Northern Transylvania during the midst of the invasion. His plan backfired and the consequences were disastrous. After the Battle of Stalingrad, which left a major dent in the German forces, Antonescu had lost hope that his Nazi allies would win the war. Consequently, the Red Army was pushing forward into Romania with the assistance of the democratic opposition, led by Luliu Maniu. Complex negotiations between Maniu and the Western Allies in 1944 led to the Romanians having to deal with angered Soviet Forces head-on. Antonescu, whom was still clinging to German Alliance, was finally overthrown on August 23 by Maniu and King Michael. A new government was established that in turn committed to the Allied War effort against Germany. With Bucharest under Soviet control one week later, it marked a new era in Romanian history.

Luliu Maniu
Prime Minister of Romania (1873-1953)

Source: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/362407/Iuliu-Maniu











Bibliography: Cucu, Vasile S. "Shifts in Society and Economy." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, 16 Feb. 2015. Web. 03 June 2015. <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/508461/Romania/42876/Shifts-in-society-and-economy>.