Leslie Massey
Romania's entry into World War I was marked by its declaration of war against Austria-Hungary on 27 August 1916, with the aim of uniting all territories with a significant Romanian population. This decision was influenced by the successes of the Russian Brusilov offensive against Austria-Hungary, and the promise of territorial gains in Transylvania, a region with a sizeable Romanian population, by the Allies. In response, Austria-Hungary, along with Bulgaria, launched counteroffensives against Romania, resulting in significant setbacks for Romanian forces. The Romanian campaign, part of the Eastern Front, witnessed fighting across present-day Romania, including Transylvania and Southern Dobruja, which is now part of Bulgaria. The Central Powers, consisting of Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria, and the Ottoman Empire, posed a formidable challenge to Romania and its allies, ultimately leading to Romania's temporary withdrawal from the war in 1917.
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What You'll Learn
Romania's alliance with France, the UK and Russia
Romania's alliance with France, the UK, Russia, and Italy was formed in 1916, two years after the start of World War I. The alliance was established through a treaty signed on August 17, 1916, with Romania declaring war on Austria-Hungary on August 27, 1916, and entering World War I on the side of the Allies.
Romania's primary motivation for joining the alliance was to unify Romanian-populated provinces under Austrian-Hungarian rule, particularly Transylvania, with the Old Kingdom of Romania. This goal was stipulated in the Treaty of Bucharest on August 17, 1916, which outlined Romania's acquisition of territories in Austria-Hungary. Additionally, Romania sought territorial gains in Bucovina.
The Allies, consisting of France, Britain, and Russia, formed the Triple Entente at the start of World War I, with the aim of curbing the ambitions of the German Empire under Wilhelm II. The inclusion of Romania in the Triple Entente was significant, as it provided the Allies with strategic advantages. Romania's participation in the war offered the opportunity to cut rail communications between Germany and Turkey and disrupt Germany's access to oil supplies.
To support Romania's efforts, the Allies provided substantial assistance. Britain offered loans, France sent a military training mission, and Russia promised modern munitions. Additionally, the Allies committed to providing at least 200,000 soldiers to defend Romania against Bulgaria and aid in its invasion of Austria-Hungary.
Despite initial successes, the Romanian forces, aided by Russia, suffered significant setbacks. The massive counter-attacks launched by German, Austrian-Hungarian, and Bulgarian troops overwhelmed the Romanian army, which was poorly equipped and lacked adequate infrastructure. By the end of 1916, more than half of Romania's territory, including its main city, Bucharest, was occupied by the Central Powers.
The Romanian campaign faced challenges due to the lengthy battlefronts, with Romanian forces struggling to effectively resist enemy advances. Additionally, the Allies failed to fulfill their obligations, such as mounting an offensive on the Macedonian front, further straining Romanian forces. The withdrawal of Russia from the war following the October Revolution in 1917 dealt a significant blow to Romania, leaving it almost completely surrounded by the Central Powers. As a result, Romania was forced to drop out of the war and sign the Treaty of Bucharest with the Central Powers in May 1918, agreeing to unfavorable terms.
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The Treaty of Bucharest
In the First Balkan War, Bulgaria, with the support of its allies, fought against the Ottoman Empire and managed to capture some of its territories. However, Bulgaria was dissatisfied with the gains it made during the war, especially with the gains made by its allies, Greece and Serbia, in Macedonia. As a result, in June 1913, Bulgaria launched an attack on its former allies. However, the Bulgarian forces were driven back, and Bulgarian-held territory was invaded by Greek and Serbian forces.
Romania took advantage of Bulgaria's weakened state and invaded Bulgaria from the north, advancing towards the Bulgarian capital, Sofia, with little opposition. As a result, Bulgaria was forced to agree to a truce and peace negotiations, which took place in Bucharest, Romania. The treaty settled the status of the Balkan Vlachs in Bulgarian, Greek, and Serbian territories, with Romania obtaining guarantees from all three of its neighbors, pledging to recognize its interest in, and respect the autonomy of the Balkan Vlachs. Romania also gained Southern Dobruja from Bulgaria, confirming its dominant position in Southeastern Europe.
According to the terms of the treaty, Romania was forced to return Southern Dobruja to Bulgaria, give control of the passes in the Carpathian Mountains to Austria-Hungary, and lease its oil wells to Germany for 90 years (or 99 years according to another source). However, the Central Powers recognized Romania's union with Bessarabia, which had recently declared independence from the Russian Empire.
The 1918 Treaty of Bucharest was nullified in November 1918 when the Central Powers collapsed. Romania renounced the treaty in October 1918 and re-entered the war the following month.
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Romania's invasion of Transylvania
However, the Romanian offensive in Transylvania was short-lived. In mid-September, German reinforcements under Erich von Falkenhayn arrived to support their struggling Austro-Hungarian allies. The Romanian advance was further hindered when the Bulgarians attacked Dobruja. Despite initial resistance, the Romanians were forced to retreat. By mid-October, the three Romanian armies had retreated to the Carpathians, and by October 14, most of the Romanian North Army's positions had fallen back towards the Romanian border. The Battle of Transylvania ended on October 16, 1916, with the Romanians driven back, and Transylvania cleared of their forces.
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The Battle of Transylvania
Romania's entry into World War I on the side of the Allies saw three of its armies invade Transylvania. The 1st and 2nd Armies invaded the southern part, while the Romanian North Army invaded the northeastern part. The Romanian North Army faced primarily Austro-Hungarian forces and experienced swift success, conquering three Hungarian urban districts, including two county capitals. However, due to events outside its control, the undefeated North Army was ordered to withdraw.
The Romanian Army as a whole experienced initial successes in Transylvania. However, the arrival of German divisions aiding Austria-Hungary and Bulgaria turned the tide of the battle. By mid-September, the German 9th Army, under Field Marshal Erich von Falkenhayn, was deployed to the region, with the 187th Infantry Division being the first German unit to arrive in Transylvania. The Germans and Austrians began advancing on 14 September, capturing Petrozsény (Petroșani) on the 18th. A skirmish on 23 September resulted in significant casualties on both sides, and the Battle of Nagyszeben (Sibiu) commenced on 26 September, with an attack by the German 9th Army, including Hungarian and German units.
Despite their initial successes, the Romanians were forced to retreat back to the Carpathians by mid-October due to the combined counterattack of German, Austrian-Hungarian, and Bulgarian troops. The Battle of Transylvania caused the replacement of the chief of staff of the German Army, and German attention shifted to the region, halting their offensive operations at Verdun. Although Romania was bound by a pre-war treaty to the Central Powers, they joined the Triple Entente in August 1916, influenced by the promise of territorial gains in Transylvania.
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The Romanian Campaign
Romania's primary objective was to unite all territories with a Romanian population into a single state, including Transylvania, which was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and had a significant Romanian population. The Romanian government also sought to acquire territories in Austria-Hungary, as stipulated in the Treaty of Bucharest of August 17, 1916. Additionally, the Allies wanted Romania to join their side to disrupt rail communications and oil supplies between Germany and Turkey.
On August 27, 1916, Romania declared war on Austria-Hungary and entered World War I. The Romanian Campaign plan, known as Hypothesis Z, involved attacking Austria-Hungary in Transylvania while defending Southern Dobruja and Giurgiu from Bulgaria. Despite initial successes in Transylvania, the Romanian forces suffered major setbacks when German divisions began aiding Austria-Hungary and Bulgaria. By the end of 1916, two-thirds of the Kingdom of Romania, including Bucharest, were occupied by the Central Powers. The Romanian Army was forced to retreat to the Carpathians and eventually sign the Armistice of Focșani in December 1917.
Following Russia's withdrawal from the war, Romania, surrounded by the Central Powers, signed the Treaty of Bucharest in May 1918, agreeing to cede territories to Bulgaria and Austria-Hungary and lease its oil reserves to Germany. However, King Ferdinand refused to sign the treaty, and in October 1918, Romania renounced it and re-entered the war. The Treaty of Versailles in 1919 reversed Romania's territorial losses and granted it control of Transylvania.
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Frequently asked questions
Romania was an ally of France, the United Kingdom, and Russia, and had entered World War I on the side of the Allies.
Romania's goal was to unite all territories with a Romanian population in a single state, including Transylvania, which was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
On August 27, 1916, Romania declared war on Austria-Hungary and entered World War I on the side of the Allies.
The Romanian campaign suffered massive setbacks after German divisions started aiding Austria-Hungary and Bulgaria. By the end of 1916, two-thirds of the territory of the Kingdom of Romania, including Bucharest, was occupied by the Central Powers.
