Romania, In The Cracks

Within this thesis the author will explore the roIe of Romania in theintemational poIitics of Europe before and immediately after the outbreak of thesecond world warThis thesis is dividedinto four parts. In the first part,J the author places specialemphasis on the negotiation conceming the soviet-Rdmanian pact of Non-Aggression. From l930 to l932,the Great Depression apd the rise of Nazi gave aheaVy blow on the collective security system shaPed in l920s. France, Polandand the Soviet Union were negotiating about the non-aggression treaty whichwas the first stage of the diplomacy of the Great Union. Holding specialrelationship with France and Poland and a territory dispute with the Soviet Union,Romania, as insignificant country irt East Europe, was closely related to thisnegotiation. It's the first time for Romania to make such a difficult choice fWhether to make certain sacrifice to hold the same policies with the al1ies againstthe Soviet union or to remain isolated for her own interests. The decision wouldhave great influence on her intemal politics and external policy.In the second part, the main point is the collective security policy of Romania,that is the diplomacy of Titulescu. From l933 to 1936,it was the time when thecollective security reached its culmination and then came to an end. In thisperiod, the Nazi Germafly rose uP, While balance of power in Europe changedgradually and the system of Versailles had been broken. France Foreign ministerBarthou advocated the policy of collective security While being the Foreignminister of ROmania, Titulescu integrated the collective security with the destinyof Romania relying on France, he strengthened the union of small allied countries,established the allies in Balkan, fostened cordial relations with the Soviet unionand boycotted Revisionism. On the diplomatic stage in Europe, his great successis unattainable to these foreign ministers in other small countries .and hisinfluence goes far beyond Romania. His name, Titulesu, with Bawhou of Francebecomes the code name of collective security in Europe. His resignmentsymboliyes the end of one period in Romanian diplomacy.In the third part, the major issue involved is the diplomacy of balance andneutrality of Romania. From l936 to 1939, the intemational situation was in greatturmoil. The policy of appeasement that France and Britain held toward Germanywas entirely exposed in Munich while, Latef, the two countries tumed to restrainGermany with continuously strengthened power, Nazi Germany seized anadvantageous position in Europe. Romania gave uP the policy of uniting thesoviet union as well as checking Germany and powerful countries. After themeeting in Munich, this policy was further developed. On one hand, Romaniasigned economic treaty with Germany. On the other hand, she asked for po1iticalprotection from Britain and France. In the meanwhile, refusing to join in thealignment hastely formed against Germany Romania expected the appearance offavorable sitUation. Founded on the balance of European Powers, RomaniacAned such a middle-of the --road policy. With break, of the balance, thediplomacy of balance and neutrality finally ended in faciIure.In the fourth part, the author tried to analysis reasons that Romania slid toGermany. The string of German Conquests in the West and the imminent defeatof France brough about the collaPse of Romania's precarious neutrality Thesubsequent Soviet ultimatum on Bessarabia of June l940 and the second WennaAWard two months later made Romania lose any opportunity to choose. Romaniabecame at least Germany's reliable satellite.'...