România Mare facts for kids

România Mare, which means "Greater Romania" in Romanian, is a historical term. It usually refers to the Kingdom of Romania during a special time after World War I. This was when Romania became much larger and included many lands where Romanian people lived.

What Was Greater Romania?

"Greater Romania" describes the country's borders between 1918 and 1940. After World War I, Romania gained several new territories. These included Transylvania, Bessarabia, and Bukovina. This made Romania the largest it had ever been. Many Romanians saw this as a dream come true. They believed all Romanian-speaking people should live together in one country.

How Did Romania Become "Greater"?

Romania joined the Allied Powers during World War I. The war ended in 1918. After the war, the world leaders met at the Paris Peace Conference. They decided on new borders for many countries. The idea of "self-determination" was very important. This meant that groups of people could choose which country they wanted to belong to.

Many Romanians living in Transylvania, Bessarabia, and Bukovina voted to join Romania. For example, the National Assembly of Alba Iulia in Transylvania decided to unite with Romania. These decisions, combined with international treaties, led to Romania's new, larger size.

Who Was King Ferdinand I?

King Ferdinand I was the ruler of Romania during World War I and the time of "Greater Romania." He became king in 1914. He was a very important figure in uniting the new territories with the old kingdom. People often called him "Ferdinand the Unifier." He worked hard to make sure Romania's new borders were recognized by other countries. His wife, Queen Marie, also played a big role in representing Romania at the peace conferences.

Life in Greater Romania

Life in "Greater Romania" was a mix of excitement and challenges. The country was much bigger and more diverse. It had people from many different backgrounds and cultures. The government worked to bring all these new regions together. They tried to create common laws, schools, and ways of life. This was a big job because each new region had its own history and traditions. Building a truly unified country took a lot of effort and time.

The End of Greater Romania

The period of "Greater Romania" did not last forever. Before and during World War II, Romania lost some of these territories. For example, Bessarabia was lost in 1940. Northern Transylvania was also lost for a few years. These changes meant that Romania's borders became smaller again. However, the idea of "Greater Romania" remains an important part of Romanian history.