Nationalist Romania in Axis-coalition - a conclusion

[Thomas]

Hallo!

I have been invited by a magazine to write an overview of the national-socialistic revolution in Germany of 1933 and the subsequent impulses this has brought about in Europe. I'm reffering to the geo-political postion of nationalism throughout Europe, which triumphed almost everywhere at the time. When the respective nations were plunged into the war, it was Germany that pulled the strings whereas the redivision of land and the status of nations was concerned. Naturally there is Romania as well, which will need to be covered in the article. So, my question is - what exactly were the Legionaire movement and the Iron Guard about? Were they state-nationalists or nationalists? What was its aim, geographically and politically? Where does Transylvania fit in the picture? What compelled the Romanian leaders to participate in Barbarossa, was it shared interests or common political ideas? What was the popular support the Iron Guard and, later, Antonescu had? Did Romania supply the largest reservoir of manpower to the Axis?

Many questions, of which I vaguely have an impression, but I rather let the respective specialists on these fora speak.

[Florin]

Hi,

The Iron Guard was one of the many political currents which flourished in the Romanian democratic society, as it was until 1938.
When you'll write your article, please allow your readers to understand this. The Iron Guard movement in general was not supported by the majority of the population. They climbed the political ladder just because they shifted toward the National-Socialism in the last years before 1940, and Germany was the winner of the moment.

However, your thread is an excellent chance to clarify a big question:
When the Iron Guard shifted its doctrine to be closer to National-Socialism?
When the movement was founded, its target was only to rise the national awareness of the Romanians regarding the external threats looming around.

QUOTE

... Did Romania supply the largest reservoir of manpower to the Axis?

This remember me on a message wrote in 1990 with chalk on the street: "Citizens, think!" So, Thomas, please read again your short quote above and think!

QUOTE

What compelled the Romanian leaders to participate in Barbarossa, was it shared interests or common political ideas?

You already have the answers in the previous threads. Also take a look in "Romania in World War II 1941-1945", right here in the forum, in the general menu. I know this means some time to spend, but you I have been invited by a magazine to write an overview, right? There is a price for glory... :wink:

[Thomas]

QUOTE

This remember me on a message wrote in 1990 with chalk on the street: \"Citizens, think!\" So, Thomas, please read again your short quote above and think!

Naturally I meant largest contribution of manpower where the other Axis nations were concerned, Bulgaria, Hungary et cetera.

QUOTE

You already have the answers in the previous threads. Also take a look in \"Romania in World War II 1941-1945\", right here in the forum, in the general menu.!

Those are just the pure basic facts. I need to know the pro and contra of the collaboration with Germany. What did Romania hope to get in return from Germany? More land? Was this goal achieved? That the IG moved to NS is typical for almost any nationalist movement at the time, from Bulgaria (which also participated in large nationalistic youth rallies in Germany) to France.

[dragos]

The main goal of Romania's joining the Tripartite Pact was to ensure the security of the borders in face of the Soviet aggression. Except for regaining the lost territories in 1940, gaining new land was absolutely not the goal of Romania.

Pro & con arguments of political statesmen, regarding collaboration with Germany beyond Dniester, you can find here:

http://www.worldwar2.ro/forum/viewtopic.php?t=36#261

[Florin]

QUOTE

Naturally I meant largest contribution of manpower where the other Axis nations were concerned, Bulgaria, Hungary et cetera.

OK. This being clarified, Romania was by far the most important partner of Germany on the Eastern Front.
If you consider all theaters of operations, combined (the Balkans, North Africa, Russia), maybe Italy had more mobilized men.

[Thomas]

What the general atmosphere of Romanian nationalism? Was it supported by the clergy, and what was Antonescu's nationalist background? Pro-German?

[Victor]

Antonescu was an Anglophile, having spent a lot of time as a military attache in London.

[Florin]

QUOTE

Antonescu was an Anglophile, having spent a lot of time as a military attache in London.

In addition to his studies in Romania, Antonescu graduated at Saint Cyr. He graduated the first of his series at Saint Cyr (France).

(Marshall Averescu, the hero of World War I, also graduated at Saint Cyr as the first of his series.)

[Florin]

QUOTE

What the general atmosphere of Romanian nationalism?...

Before 1877: To obtain complete independence and severe the links with the Ottoman Empire.
Before 1914: To obtain Transylvania (the heart of the Roman province Dacia), Bessarabia (belonging to Moldavia before 1812) and Bucovina (belonging to Moldavia before 1775). To be closer to France and the Western Europe, in general.
Before 1940: Defend what you already have, against any unwanted changes.
After 1940: Recuperate what you had before.
After 1944: To keep the country independent, and defend it against the suffocating and omnipresent influence of Soviet Union.
After 1970: To obtain an economic independence, and to produce in Romania everything possible. To maintain the unique status in the Warsaw Pact: no Russian troops within Romanian borders.
After 1989: Confused and divided. A Brownian movement: millions of vectors, canceling each other in a wonderful null resultant.

[Alexandru H.]

QUOTE

After 1989: Confused and divided. A Brownian movement: millions of vectors, canceling each other in a wonderful null resultant.

The very signs of an anarchist revolution

[DevanG]

[quote][quote]After 1989: Confused and divided. A Brownian movement: millions of vectors, canceling each other in a wonderful null resultant.[/quote]

The very signs of an anarchist revolution [/quote]

of which just by chance so many ex-SRI take advantage ...