United Principalities of Moldavia and Wallachia
Romania, 1859–1881. Draft, not yet reviewed
The union was formed on 5 February 1859 when Alexandru Ioan Cuza was elected as the Domnitor (Ruling Prince) of both principalities. In February 1866, Prince Cuza was forced to abdicate and go into exile by a political coalition led by the Liberals. In July the same year, a new constitution came into effect, giving the country the name of Romania. On 21 May 1877, Romania proclaimed itself fully independent.
Seat of power: Bucharest
Rulers
Alexandru Ioan Cuza
Prince of Romania, 1862–1866
He initiated a series of liberal and progressive reforms that contributed to the modernization of Romanian society and of state structures. His reforms included the adoption of the Criminal Code and the Civil Code based on the Napoleonic Code in 1864. He founded the University of Iași in 1860 and the University of Bucharest in 1864.
Portrait of Alexandru Ioan Cuza: Carol Szathmari, Public domain, file
Carol I of Romania
Prince of Romania, 1866–1881
He was elected Prince of the Romanian United Principalities on 20 April 1866 after the overthrow of Alexandru Ioan Cuza by a palace coup d'état. On 29 June, two months after Carol's arrival, the Romanian parliament adopted the 1866 Constitution of Romania, one of the most modern constitutions of its time. It was modeled closely on the Constitution of Belgium and established separation of powers.
Portrait of Carol I of Romania: Unknown photographer, Public domain, file
Culture
- Romania had its own flag and anthem, and after 1867 it had its own currency as well.
- The unification is commemorated every 24 January through the Day of the Unification of the Romanian Principalities in both Romania and Moldova.
- Nowadays, in Romania, the unification of Moldavia and Wallachia is regarded as a prelude to the Great Union.
- For its triple symbolic meaning, the date of May 10 was celebrated as Romania's National Day until 1947, when the Communist regime installed the republic.
Picture
The unification of Moldavia and Wallachia happened in 1859 following the election of Alexandru Ioan Cuza as prince of both the Principality of Moldavia and the Principality of Wallachia.
Image: Theodor Aman, Public domain, file
Sources
- United Principalities of Moldavia and Wallachia (Wikipedia)
- United Principalities of Moldavia and Wallachia (Wikidata)
- About the picture (Wikipedia)
Text adapted from the Wikipedia articles listed as sources, CC BY-SA 4.0.