History of Romania – Early Period & The Great Union of 1918

Written & Researched by: Abid Siddique Chaudhry

The World Ambassador 

 

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The Ancient Land of Romania – Dacia

 

 

The ancient name of the Romanian territory was Dacia, inhabited by a tribe called the Dacians.

In 106 AD, the Roman Emperor Trajan conquered Dacia and made it a part of the Roman Empire.
The Romans introduced their language, culture, and lifestyle—and over time, this language became the foundation of the Romanian language.

The Great Union of 1918 — A Historic Milestone

December 1, 1918, is remembered in Romanian history as “Great Union Day.”
On this day, three major historical Romanian provinces:

• Transylvania
• Bessarabia
• Bukovina

joined the emerging modern state of Romania after the fall of old European empires.
This union laid the foundation of today’s modern, unified Romania.

1. The Celebrations of 1918 & The Historic Assembly at Alba Iulia

On December 1, 1918, the largest national gathering in Romanian history was held in the city of Alba Iulia.

Public Participation

• More than 100,000 Romanian people gathered from all regions.
• 1,228 elected deputies participated in the National Assembly.

Purpose of the Assembly

The purpose was to cast an official and legal vote on behalf of all Romanian people for the union of Transylvania, Banat, Crișana, and Maramureș with the Kingdom of Romania.

The Declaration

The resolution included the following main points:

• Unconditional union of Transylvania with Romania
• Guarantee of rights for minorities (Hungarians, Germans, etc.)
• Confirmation of political, religious, and social freedoms

After this historic meeting, the foundation of a new Romanian national state was laid.

2. Important Personalities of the Great Union

(1) Iuliu Maniu

 

 

A leading Romanian figure from Transylvania.
He is considered one of the principal architects of the Union with Romania.

(2) Vasile Goldiș

 

 

The leader who read the Resolution of Union at Alba Iulia.
His written principles gave the Union its legal structure.

(3) Mihai Sever

 

 

A notable political activist in Transylvanian Romanian movements.
He played a key role in mobilizing Romanian communities.

(4) King Ferdinand I

 

 

The King of Romania who strongly supported the creation of a unified Romanian state.
His vision helped stabilize the newly united nation.

(5) Queen Marie of Romania

 

 

She played an influential diplomatic role, especially at the Paris Peace Conference, defending the interests of Romania at the international level.

3. Romania’s Role in World War I

Romania Enters the War (1916)

Romania joined the Allied Powers (Entente) in 1916 to liberate Transylvania, where a large Romanian population lived under Austro-Hungarian rule.

Romania’s Difficulties

• German and Austro-Hungarian armies occupied significant Romanian territories.
• In 1917, Romanian forces courageously defended the country in the battles of:
  • Mărășești
  • Mărăști
  • Oituz

Outcome

At the end of the war, the Allied victory strengthened and legitimized Romania’s demands for national unification on the international stage.

4. Global Political Conditions in 1918

(1) Collapse of Old Empires

The Russian, Ottoman, German, and Austro-Hungarian empires were collapsing.
This disintegration gave many nations the opportunity to decide their political future.

(2) Woodrow Wilson’s Fourteen Points

The American President emphasized the right of nations to self-determination.
Romania used this principle to justify unifying its historical regions.

(3) The Bolshevik Revolution (1917)

The revolution weakened Russia, and Bessarabia gained the opportunity first for independence and then union with Romania.

(4) Fall of Austria-Hungary

After the empire disintegrated, Transylvania and Bukovina were free to determine their political future—choosing union with Romania.

Background: World War I and the Fall of Empires

At the end of World War I (1914–1918), Europe underwent major political changes:

• The Austro-Hungarian Empire was disintegrating.
• The Bolshevik Revolution in Russia weakened the old regime.
• Many ethnic groups demanded freedom and self-rule.

These conditions allowed Romania’s historical provinces to decide their destiny.

The Unification of Romanian Provinces

 

 

1. Union of Bessarabia (March 27, 1918)

Bessarabia, then part of the Russian Empire, fell into instability after the Bolshevik Revolution.
The local representative assembly Sfatul Țării voted for union with Romania.
This was considered the first major step towards Romanian national unity.

2. Union of Bukovina (November 28, 1918)

Bukovina had long been part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
After the empire began to collapse, the Romanian National Council declared independence.
On November 28, representatives voted for Bukovina to join Romania.

3. The Historic Decision of Transylvania (December 1, 1918)

The most important event of the Great Union was the decision of Transylvania to unite with Romania.

The Assembly at Alba Iulia

On December 1, more than 100,000 participants—including representatives and citizens—gathered in Alba Iulia.

The National Assembly passed a historic resolution:

“All Romanian territories in Transylvania, Banat, Crișana, and Maramureș unite with the Kingdom of Romania.”

This announcement fulfilled a centuries-old dream of the Romanian people.

Outcome of the Great Union

By the end of 1918:

• All major Romanian historical regions were united.
• A modern and strong Romanian state was established.
• Romania’s territory nearly doubled.
• The population significantly increased.
• Politically and culturally, Romania became a unified national state.

Great Union Day — National Day of Romania

December 1 is celebrated today as the National Day of Romania, symbolizing:

• Unity
• Freedom
• National identity