Romanian Political Changes And The Great Powers Compete (1944-1948)

Before 1944 Romania had pursued pro-Western foreign policy, but after the 1944 Romania experienced three government changes, significantly to the development of pro-Soviet Union and eventually be incorporated into Soviet-style development track..Because during this period Romania's political changes was very complicated and had a very important impact on its future development path, therefore the study of growth and decline of bourgeois political parties and the Communist forces can help us better to understand this period of history and the situation in Romania at presentAt present domestic academic research on the issue is still relatively weak, the paper try to use relevant foreign material and Declassified Soviet archives to study specific circumstances of Romania political changes and influence of Great powers,and how Soviet Union drawned Romania into its own spheres of influence step by step.There are six parts in my paper.The first part introduces Romania history before 1944,several major political parties' basic development,political factions and tendencies,as well as great powers' attitude towards Romania.The second part of my paper introduces the establishment of Sanatescu government and great powers' initial position inl944. After coup of August 23,Romania set up a coalition government headed by Sanatescu. National peasent party and National liberal party occupied all important positions,but communist party and social domestical party each only obtained one seat.After Romania armistice was signed in Moscow,the domestic situation has greatly changed in Romania.. Internationally, Although at first the United Kingdom intervened Romania affairs, but later in order to exchange Soviet Union"s understanding on the issue of Greece, Churchill and Stalin secretly reached a "percentage agreement" so that the Soviet Union obtained 90 percent influence in Romania.At beginning The United States was dissatisfied with division of sphere of influence by Britain and Soviet Union,but finally kept silent in order to keep Allies unity. Out of consideration of wartime situation,great powers temporarily reached a consensus on Romania issue.The third part explained the Radescu government and great power's attitude towards Romania before and after Yalta conference.At this time Romania domestic conflicts were quite fierce, the parties were actively seeking the support of big countries. Before the Yalta Conference, the Soviet Union still took the attitude of tolerance toward Romania bourgeoisie. At that time, because the strength of the Communist Party was still relatively small, inner-party struggle was relatively intense, communist-dominated government hadn't been established. In addition, the Soviet Union also needed to maintain the alliance with Britain and United States, remain Romanian political stability so that it can ensure Romania government to implement the Armistice Agreement smoothly. After Yalta Conference,from the point of view of the national security interests,Soviet began to support the Romanian Communist Party against the bourgeois parties and help Groza government to strengthen its rule. The U.S. Government considered that Groza Government was established under the pressure of the Soviet Union, thus it combined with the Britain to resist Groza government. The two sides began the intensification of contradictions.The fourth part of my paper analysis the establishment of Groza government and great powers" controversy over Romania at Potsdam conference and foreign ministers meeting. The leaders of the three countries reached a preliminary agreement on Eastern Europe at Potsdam conference, and decided to convene foreign ministers meeting to consult about the details.Because of the united states and soviet union were unwilling to make concessions, both sides did not reach any consensus at London foreign minister meeting. Compelled by the situation, the United States and Britain finally reached an agreement with the Soviet Union at Moscow foreign ministers meeting: the United States and Britain will recognize the Groza government in condition that it must accommodate one member of the national Liberal Party and peasent party, it gave a heavy blow on Romania bourgeois. Britain and the United States recognized Groza government in February, 1946. On November 19, Romania held a parliamentary election, National Democratic Front domanited by communist party won a huge victory under control of the Groza Government.The fifth part of my paper introduced that Romania was brought into the orbit of the Soviet Union. With the outbreak of the Cold War, US-Soviet wartime alliance broken down formally. By the end of November 1947, the Peasant Party and the Liberal Party members had been removed from the Groza government . On December 30, King Michael of Romania signed the abdication letter. After that the Romanian Communist Party and Social Democratic Party held a joint General Assembly, decided to establish a Romanian Workers Party, which later become a leading force in Romania.The sixth part evaluates the character of Romania political changes and great powers' struggle. As Romania was not the most important interest sphere to the United States and British, their policies toward Romania were at all stages conditioned by other priorities. Out of consideration of security interests, the Soviet Union decided to establish a pre-soviet government, and eventually through a series of activities took absolute advantage over other countries. From then on Romania began to advance along the road of soviet pattern..