COMENIUS PROJECTOVERCOMING XENOPHOBIA

SCHOOL 26

BUCHAREST - ROMANIA

DECEMBER 1, 1918DECEMBER 1, 1918

CARRYING OUT THE GREAT CARRYING OUT THE GREAT UNIONUNION

Great Union Day (Romanian: Ziua Marii Uniri, also called Unification) occurring on December 1, is the national holiday of Romania. It commemorates the assembly of the delegates of ethnic Romanians held in Alba Iulia, which declared the Union of Transylvania with Romania.This holiday was set after the 1989 Romanian Revolution and it marks the unification of Transylvania, but also of the provinces of Bessarabia and Bukovina with the Romanian Kingdom, in 1918.Prior to 1918, the national holiday of Romania was set to be on May 10, which had a double meaning: it was the day on which Carol I set foot on the Romanian soil (in 1866), and it was the day on which the prince ratified the Declaration of Independence (from the Ottoman Empire) in 1877.In Communist Romania, the date of the national holiday was set to August 23 to mark the 1944 overthrow of the pro-fascist government of Marshal Ion Antonescu.

THE UNION FROM 1600THE UNION FROM 1600    

The “Dacian plan”-the reunion of all The “Dacian plan”-the reunion of all Romanians under a unique authority -Romanians under a unique authority -represented the only way to state our represented the only way to state our autonomy over all expansion plans of autonomy over all expansion plans of all interested powers to dominate us, all interested powers to dominate us, from the Ottoman Empire, Poland or from the Ottoman Empire, Poland or

Austrian Empire(Habsburgs Empire). Austrian Empire(Habsburgs Empire). Mihai Viteazul Mihai Viteazul (Michael the Brave) (Michael the Brave)

tried to unite , for the first time , the tried to unite , for the first time , the Romanian territories in 1600. His Romanian territories in 1600. His

attempt was for a short while because attempt was for a short while because he was killed in 1601 and his dream he was killed in 1601 and his dream

ended.ended.

The Romanians’ dreamThe Romanians’ dream

THE UNION FROM 1859THE UNION FROM 1859

This Union was accomplished in This Union was accomplished in January 24, 1859 when Moldavia and January 24, 1859 when Moldavia and Wallachia (Tara Romaneasca) united Wallachia (Tara Romaneasca) united under the authority of under the authority of Alexandru Ioan Alexandru Ioan CuzaCuza. During Cuza’s reign, there was . During Cuza’s reign, there was established the foundation of the established the foundation of the modern Romania and there were modern Romania and there were adopted reforms (1863-1865) which led adopted reforms (1863-1865) which led to the diversity of the institutions and to the diversity of the institutions and consolidated our autonomy in the consolidated our autonomy in the relations with the Great Powers.relations with the Great Powers.

Premisses that led to the GREAT UNION – 1918Premisses that led to the GREAT UNION – 1918

March 5March 5- in Buftea(small town close to Bucharest) was signed the - in Buftea(small town close to Bucharest) was signed the Preliminary Treaty between Romania and Central Powers. On this Preliminary Treaty between Romania and Central Powers. On this ground, on March 9th, began the negotiations for the settlement of the ground, on March 9th, began the negotiations for the settlement of the peace after World War I.peace after World War I.

March 27March 27- the Council of the Country from Chisinau(capital of - the Council of the Country from Chisinau(capital of Basarabia) decided the Basarabia) decided the union of Bessarabia with Romania.union of Bessarabia with Romania.

April 24 April 24 -Bucharest-the Peace Treaty between Romania on one side -Bucharest-the Peace Treaty between Romania on one side and Germany, Austria-Hungry, Bulgaria and Turkey on the other and Germany, Austria-Hungry, Bulgaria and Turkey on the other side. side. Romania was forced to cede Dobrudja Romania was forced to cede Dobrudja and to sign unprofitable and to sign unprofitable economical treaties.economical treaties.

September 29September 29- the Executive Committee of the Romanian National Party - the Executive Committee of the Romanian National Party adopted, unanimously, the declaration of Vasile Goldis that stated the adopted, unanimously, the declaration of Vasile Goldis that stated the recognition of that Committee as interim leading authority.recognition of that Committee as interim leading authority.

October 3October 3- the Proclamation of the King Carol I of Habsburg “ To my - the Proclamation of the King Carol I of Habsburg “ To my faithful people” concerning the reorganization of Austria-Hungary in six faithful people” concerning the reorganization of Austria-Hungary in six independent states(Austrian, Aungarian, Czech, Jugoslavian, Polish and independent states(Austrian, Aungarian, Czech, Jugoslavian, Polish and Ucranian). Ucranian). Octomber 9Octomber 9- the Declaration of response to the King Carol I ‘s - the Declaration of response to the King Carol I ‘s Proclamation made by the”Volunteer Corps from Transylvania snd Proclamation made by the”Volunteer Corps from Transylvania snd Bukovina” in which they proclaim the union of their territories with the Bukovina” in which they proclaim the union of their territories with the Romanian Kingdom.Romanian Kingdom.

October 12October 12- the Romanian National Party from Transylvania adopted the - the Romanian National Party from Transylvania adopted the ““Declaration of self-determination” Declaration of self-determination” writen out by Vasile Goldiswriten out by Vasile Goldis, “, “on the on the strenght of the right of every nation to dispose of itself”.strenght of the right of every nation to dispose of itself”.

Resolution Resolution

of the National Assembly in Alba Iulia- of the National Assembly in Alba Iulia- December 1, 1918December 1, 1918

The GREAT UNION- December 1, 1918- act of will of the Romanian nation-

Alba Iulia National AssemblyOn December 1,1918 the National Assembly of Romanians of Transylvania and Hungary, consisting of 1,228 elected representatives of the Romanians in Transylvania, Banat, Crişana and Maramureş, convened in Alba Iulia and decreed (by unanimous vote):“ the unification of those Romanians and of all the territories inhabited by them with Romania. ” The Resolution voted by the National Assembly stipulated also the "fundamental principles for the foundation of the new Romanian State". It was conditional, and demanded the preservation of a democratic local autonomy, the equality of all nationalities and religions.The Assembly also formed from 200 of its members, plus 50 co-opted members a High National Romanian Council of Transylvania, the new permanent parliament of Transylvania.

The next day, on December 2, 1918 the High Romanian Council of Transylvania formed a government under the name of Directory Council of Transylvania(Consiliul Dirigent al Transilvaniei) headed by Iuliu Maniu.On December 11, 1918, King Ferdinand signed the law regarding the Union of Transylvania, Banat, Crisana, Satmar and Maramures with the Old Kingdom of Romania, decreeing that:“ The lands named in the resolution of the Alba – Iulia National Assembly on the 1st of December are and remain forever united with the Kingdom of Romania”

INTER-WAR ROMANIA

Military ParadeMilitary Parade