Anthony Basescu Of Romania During The Period Of Diplomatic Choice (1940-1944)

Atonescu Era was the period when Romania took part in the Axis and launched the Soviet-German War following the fascist Germany. Domestic and foreign researches of Romanian foreign policy during this period were mainly focused on the relations between Romania and Germany. In fact, in addition to Romania-Germany relations during this period, there was another line running through it, which was the "Peace feelers" to Allies by Mihai Atonescu and Maniu. These two lines affected with each other and their existence were the results of active exploration by Romanian from all walks of life for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Romania under the domestic and international situations at that time.Antonescu came to power at the time when Germany was sweeping Europen continent madly, for the pressure from Germany, Atonescu carried on practicing King CarolⅡ's pro-German foreign policy, and launched the Soviet-German War following Hitler. At the beginning of the war, he successfully recovered Bessarabia and northern Bukovina, but as the war progressed, Romanian suffered heavy losses on the Eastern Front for their poor equipment. After the failure of the Stalingrad Campaign, the domestic anti-war voice had been increasingly shrill. Antonescu became aware that Germany was on the road to dying. So Mihai Atonescu, Deputy Prime Minister of Atonescu government, and Maniu, leader of the National Peasant Party began to take "Peace feelers" to Allies under Atonescu's acquiescence, and they tried to get the support from Allies in order to end the alliance with Germany. Finally in the wave of domestic oppositions, Atonescu was dismissed by King Michael and the alliance between Romania and Germany was broken down. Henceforth, Romania embarked on the road to assist Allies against Germany, and ultimately joined in the Soviet orbit.The article is divided into five parts:The first part gives a brief introduction about the foreign policy before Atonescu Era, which including two parts:the "collective security diplomacy" that depended on France and the "balanced diplomacy between great powers" which tended to Germany, these policies laid the foundation for Atonescu's pro-German policy.The second part describes how Atonescu came to power and the progress of the establishment of his pro-German policy. Pointing out that Antonescu came to power was the result of both internal and external causes, and the domestic factors took the decisive role while Germany was only one aspect of factors. Antonescu's first success visit to Germany established his pro-German foreign policy.The third part firstly introduces the ways which Atonescu took to crush the rebellion of the Guard and established his dictatorship. And then discusses in detail the political, economic, and military relations between Romania and Germany after the broke out of the Soviet Germany War. Atonescu declared war on the Soviet Union immediately after the out broke of the Soviet Germany War, which was the practice of his pro-German foreign policy; Bilateral ties in economic consolidated the relations between them, especially manifested on Germany's demand and control of Romania's strategic materials based on petroleum;Romania and Germany's relations was changing with the advance of the war on the East Front. The golden time of the relations between two countries was the period between the outbreaks of the war to the capture of Odessa area. After the failure of the Stalingrad Campaign, the differences between the two countries increased gradually. When there was no hope for the victory of Germany, Romanian from all walks of life focused their attention to Allies.The fourth part discusses the Romanian "Peace feelers" to Allies and the reaction of the Allies. Romania government's "Peace feelers" is mainly talking about Mihai Atonescu's diplomatic action, and domestic opposition's "Peace feelers" is mainly concentrated on Maniu, The reaction of the Allies to "Peace feelers" is concentrated on the manners of three great powers(Britain,American and Soviet Union).The fifth part is the conclusion which makes a summary of the entire article. On the whole, the formation of the two diplomatic lines in Antonescu Era was the results of "passive adaptation" and "active choice" by small and weak Romania when facing difficult situations during World WarⅡ.