William Tyler
Romania: Beginnings of the Modern State 1856-1940
Summary
It’s difficult to say exactly when the modern era of Romania began. Some say it’s 1848, the European Year of Revolutions, when national sentiments broke through to the surface. Others say 1878, when Romania was recognised as an independent state. Some say it’s as far back as 1711, when a war of independence was lost in Transylvania against the Habsburg Empire. Others would go even further back in history to 1541 when the three constituent parts of Romania- Transylvania, Wallachia, and Moldavia were incorporated in the Ottoman Empire.
Regardless, over these centuries Romania was often at the mercy of other competing empires.
The story of Romania can seem a complex one viewed from outside but that is largely due to the fact that few know its’ history. Today, Romania today itself torn between Europe, Russia, and Turkey. Following post-war Communism, Romania is both a member of NATO and the EU.
Further Reading A Concise History of Romania by Keith Hitchins The Lost Romans by Miscea Davidescu The Balkan Trilogy by Olivia Manning (Fiction).
William Tyler
William Tyler has spent his entire professional life in adult education, beginning at Kingsgate College in 1969. He has lectured widely for many public bodies, including the University of Cambridge and the WEA, in addition to speaking to many clubs and societies. In 2009, William was awarded the MBE for services to adult education, and he has previously been a scholar in residence at the London Jewish Cultural Centre.