# The Formation of Modern Romania: The Union of the Romanian Principalities and Cuza's Reforms ## Key Historical Context After the failure of the 1848 revolutions, the union of the Romanian Principalities (Moldavia and Wallachia) became the primary national goal of the unionist movement. This period marked a significant step toward the creation of modern Romania, driven by both internal aspirations and international developments. --- ## The Paris Peace Conference (1856) The Paris Peace Conference, held after the Crimean War and Russia's defeat, established new political arrangements for the Romanian Principalities. The key provisions of the treaty were: - **Maintenance of Ottoman suzerainty** over the Principalities. - **End of Russian protectorate**, replaced by the **collective guarantee of the Great European Powers**. - **Territorial restitution**: Moldavia regained three counties in southern Bessarabia. - **Ad-hoc Assemblies (Divan ad-hoc)**: These were to be organized in each Principality to gauge public opinion on the issue of unification. Remember that the Paris Peace Conference was a turning point in reducing Russian influence in the region and opening the door for unification efforts. --- ## The Ad-hoc Assemblies (1857) The Ad-hoc Assemblies were convened in Moldavia and Wallachia to express the will of the population regarding unification. Their resolutions clearly stated: - The desire for the **union of the Principalities** under the name "Romania." - The preference for a **foreign prince** to lead the united state. Imagine a modern referendum where citizens vote on a critical national issue. The Ad-hoc Assemblies functioned similarly, representing the collective voice of the people. --- ## The Paris Convention (1858) The Paris Convention served as a **fundamental law** (similar to a constitution) for the Principalities. It established a framework for partial unification, including: - A **legislative union** under the name "The United Principalities of Moldavia and Wallachia." - Separate administrative and executive systems for each Principality. While the Paris Convention allowed for partial unification, it laid the groundwork for full political and administrative integration in the years to come. --- ## The Election of Alexandru Ioan Cuza (1859) In a historic move, **Alexandru Ioan Cuza** was elected as the ruler of both Moldavia (January 5, 1859) and Wallachia (January 24, 1859). This dual election effectively united the two Principalities under a single leader. Cuza's election was a clever political maneuver, as the Paris Convention did not explicitly forbid the same person from ruling both Principalities. --- ## The Reforms of Alexandru Ioan Cuza (1859–1866) Following the recognition of the union by the Great Powers (1859–1861), Cuza implemented a series of transformative reforms that laid the foundation for modern Romania. These reforms were primarily enacted during the government led by **Mihail Kogălniceanu** (1863–1865). ### Key Reforms 1. **Secularization of Monastic Estates (December 1863)**: - 25.6% of arable land, previously owned by monasteries, was transferred to the state. - This reform increased state resources and reduced the Church's economic power. 2. **Military Reform (February 1864)**: - A law was passed to organize and modernize the armed forces. 3. **Statutory Development of the Paris Convention (May 2, 1864)**: - Cuza staged a **coup d'état** to introduce a new constitutional framework, expanding his powers and accelerating reforms. 4. **Agrarian Reform (August 14, 1864)**: - Land redistribution to peasants based on the number of livestock they owned. - Over 500,000 peasants received nearly 2 million hectares of land. For instance, a peasant with two oxen might receive a larger plot of land than one with no livestock, as the reform aimed to balance land distribution with agricultural productivity. 5. **Education Reform (December 1864)**: - The **Law on Public Instruction** established the foundation of the Romanian education system. 6. **Legal Reforms**: - The **Penal Code** (December 1864) and **Civil Code** (December 1865) aligned Romanian law with modern European standards. These reforms were critical in modernizing Romania's legal, social, and economic systems, bringing them closer to Western European norms. --- ## The Abdication of Alexandru Ioan Cuza (1866) Despite his significant contributions, Cuza faced growing opposition from both conservatives and liberals. On **February 11, 1866**, he was forced to abdicate and leave the country. It is often assumed that Cuza's reforms were universally supported. In reality, they faced resistance from various social and political groups, particularly the landed aristocracy. --- ## Key Takeaways - The union of Moldavia and Wallachia was a gradual process, driven by both internal efforts and international diplomacy. - Alexandru Ioan Cuza's leadership was pivotal in achieving unification and implementing reforms that modernized the state. - Cuza's reforms addressed critical issues such as land ownership, education, and legal systems, but they also generated significant opposition, leading to his eventual abdication. To better understand this period, focus on the interplay between internal reform efforts and the influence of external powers like the Ottoman Empire, Russia, and Western Europe. --- ## Practice Questions 1. What were the main provisions of the Paris Peace Conference (1856) regarding the Romanian Principalities? 2. How did the Ad-hoc Assemblies express the will of the population regarding unification? 3. List and explain three major reforms introduced by Alexandru Ioan Cuza. 4. Why was Alexandru Ioan Cuza forced to abdicate in 1866? These questions are designed to test your understanding of both the historical events and their broader significance.