The Iron Guard - Romania's Fascist Movement

The Iron Guard, also known as Legion of the Archangel Michael (Legiunea Arhanghelul Mihail) or the Legionnaire Movement (Mișcarea Legionară), was a Romanian fascist movement. It was founded by Corneliu Zelea Codreanu and later led by Horia Sima. In January 1941 the Legionnaires' rebellion and Bucharest pogrom took place. The Iron Guard Uprising was crushed and therefore the end of this movement was in sight.
History Hustle presents: The Iron Guard - the Romanian Fascist Movement.
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SOURCES
- Fascism without Borders. Transnational Connections and Cooperation between Movements and Regimes in Europe from 1918 to 1945 (Arnd Bauerkämper, Grzegorz Rossoliński-Liebe).
- Fascism in Europe, 1919-1945 (Philip Morgan).
- The Green Shirts and the Others. A History of Fascism in Hungary and Romania (Nicholas M. Nagy-Talavera).
- Joining Hitler's Crusade. European Nations and the Invasion of the Soviet Union, 1941 (David Stahel) Romania (Dennis Deletant).
IMAGES
Images from commons.wikimedia.org.
VIDEO
Video material from:
• Iron Guard holds funer...
Iron Guard holds funeral service in Bucharest for Corneliu Codreanu
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MUSIC
"Crusade" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
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"The Descent" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
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SOUNDS
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Wanna ask something? Send me an email at: historyhustle[at]gmail.com

[@HistoryHustle]

Dutch Fascist Party (NSB): kzbin.info/www/bejne/aIO4gX1mfM-oldU Russian Fascist Party (Black Hundred): kzbin.info/www/bejne/paDRoWRjfsqehqM Hungarian Fascist Party (Arrow Cross): kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZmGVcqCCidh_Z80

[@eeroraute281]

Black hundreads were not fascist tho they were ultranationalist reactionaries Funnily enough there was a russian fascist party but it was in machuria

[@atajobbasova]

To my legionaires is a great book

[@flavius8278]

Indeed!

[@cmennenger]

Yes it's a great book. Much truth in the pages of that little book

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for sharing.

[@Zdamaneta]

@@cmennenger it should be thought in schools along with the documentary Europa The Last Battle.

[@cmennenger]

@@Zdamaneta agreed. Along with the writings of Jefferson Davis. The flame that never dies!

[@botatobias2539]

No-one in Romania called them Fascist, they didn't call themselves Fascist, but... Sure, can't wait for you to Westsplain to me why they were Fascist.

[@HistoryHustle]

If it looks like a fascist, swims like a fascist, and quacks like a fascist, then it probably is a fascist.

[@sugipixu2230]

the Romanians didn't call them fascists because the Iron Guard's members were calling themselves legionaries but everybody knew exactly what they were, namely fascists. Did you read Codreanu's books? Have you seen Codreanu's weeding photos? There were swastikas all over the place and that was in the late 20's, way before Hitler came to power. If we are to judge people by their deeds and actions, the legionaries were fascists

[@LazarOrthodox04]

​@@HistoryHustlehe called both fascists and Nszis failures

[@LazarOrthodox04]

​@@sugipixu2230he said that both fascists and Nazis are failures

[@Andrei-ev7du]

@@LazarOrthodox04They one of best romanians, comunism = slavery and poverty, how you call yourself a Orthodox, Orthodoxy is total diferent from comunism and have nothing in common with comunism, a real Orthodox person can t be comunist

[@claudiu8426]

"When a politician enters a party the first question that he puts is 'what can I gain from this?...when a legionary enters the Legion he says 'For myself I want nothing'"! - Corneliu Zelea Codreanu

[@HistoryHustle]

Interesting quote..

[@claudiu8426]

@@HistoryHustle I quoted from "To my legionaires" book and one of the Codreanu`s memorable quotes. Thank you for your work!

[@felixmbandandayitabi4536]

Are you buying into this stale rethoric? @Claudiu? What about this more caracteristic Codreanu quote: Romanian workers would never become the masters of the country but rather slaves to the vilest tyranny: the Talmudic, Jewish one.! What about this "glorious" action On Sept. 4-6, 1920, in the city of Cluj during the first Students’ Congress Codreanu and other Jassy students successfully introduced a motion banning all Jews from student associations?

[@gianca60]

Codreanu was an hero and a marthyr.

[@vchk5330]

@@gianca60 those prison guard did a good job with zelea

[@mitchjervis8453]

Romanian here.🇷🇴 Pretty nice touch on the Iron Guard, but I have some corrections to make: 6:33 - Carol II appointed Antonescu as Prime-Minister on September 6, not November 6, and he abdicated 2 days later. 6:44 - The state run by Antonescu and Sima was not called the "National-Revolutionary State", but the "National-Legionnary State". Otherwise, nice job. Fun fact, Codreanu had Polish origins(being born near the Austrian Galicia), and his father's original name, before changing it to "Zelea Codreanu" was "Zelinski"(sound familiar?).

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for sharing this.

[@moonovermiami9787]

This was an interesting addition to the channel report. Thank You!

[@moonovermiami9787]

@@3rdzfjm His first sentence is...

[@jabronnie7745]

your "fun fact" is actually a lie. stop spreading fake news and propaganda and do some reasearch. "At the 1938 trial, Corneliu Zelea Codreanu's lawyer argued that his great-grandfather, whom she called Simion "Zelea", came from a family of Moldavian nobles from the village of Igești in Bucovina, which in the period 1786-1848, when Bucovina under Austrian rule it was part of the province of Galicia, it was forced by the authorities to change its name to Zelinski." original name ZELEA - forced to change to Zelinski - back to Zelea. His fathers "original" name was never zelinski. you can find the entire trial on the internet which proves what im saying is correct.

[@corneliuscapitalinus845]

I read somewhere that he was part German, part Romanian. Maybe was wrong.

[@thegreatwanderer2023]

Great video and with the exception of that map at 1:34 pretty much accurate! *Interesting fact: My great-grandfather was a legionnaire - not a prominent or upper-lvel member, though, and thus did not participate in any of the atrocities committed by the Iron Guard, to my knowledge.* He was, however, very proud of belonging to it, as were some other nationalistic commoners, and had a deep admiration for the Germans. *I always found his deep Romanian patriotism interesting, given he was actually half-Greek.* He fought in WW2 and was captured by the Soviets, enduring torture and half-starvation until his release. *Following the end of the war, he lived in somewhat fear of being turned in to the Security or Militia for his old Iron Guard ties - drunk Communism-loving peasants sometimes came to his house at nights (sometimes with their field tools) and yelled "Come out, Nazi dog", sometimes banging aggresivelly on his windows or door.* Still, my great-grandfather lived to see 99 in years, passing away when I was 4 years old - 1 month more and he would have been 100. Little tidbits from my grandma and mom suggest deep down he continued to honestly cling to some legionnaire beliefs.

[@herr_crustovsky]

That's very interesting to hear, thanks for sharing! It's a shame that even if he were to fully renounce those views, he still would've been hounded by communists. Those times truly were hell. I hope he still got to enjoy his long life in peace for the most part though!

[@Markusctfldl]

Most people today have a very distorted view of the Legionary movement, its actual culpability in crimes committed at various times, and the context in which it emerged. Sadly this is even the case in Romania itself.

[@theswede5402]

I salute your grandfather!

[@LordDoof]

"I always found his deep Romanian patriotism interesting, given he was actually half-Greek." This is because while the Legionary movement was nationalist, Codreanu was clear there was no legion without Orthodoxy, and Orthodoxy was more important than race and nationality in their eyes.

[@cgabriel777]

I have the chance to meet some old Legionaries, survivors of the communists prison, where they stayed many years (10-15 years) under a very bad treatment, famine, insults, torture, etc. They was very different persons, than are described by the books of history, the communists movies from our country. I have met very educated persons, friendly and loving persons, that have a good sense of humour. After their bad experience, I believe that was a miracle they did not have the signs of psihological trauma, I did not met to them desire to revenge, did not detected any kind of hate speech. They did noy tried any kind of prozelitism (as I was expected). They speak about their life only we asked them. I was amazed. I was also amazed by their power to work in difficult conditions (it was summer, over 35 C degree), they have over 60 years old. I think the real history is different that we learn in schools or on TV. Legionary movement is on another page than nazists of Hitler and fascists of Mussolini. Hitler had a big ego and was fascinated by the paganism, Mussolini was an atheist disrespectful to the Christianity. Legionary was a movement that tried to combine Christianity with nationalism. They lived in very troubled times, and tried to help their people. Maybe some some of them was provoked and made mistakes. Some stories about them are not real or exagerated. Don't hurry to judge them, or to attach bad labels on them. Reality is more complex than we think. For Romanian speakers I recommend to read the poem "Ridica-te Gheorghe, ridica-te Ioane" written by Radu Gyr and they will discover the soul of thouse young people that joined Legionary Movement.

[@kevinkirby4305]

He was a nationalist revolutionary fighter. A lawyer and an intellectual, who fought for the Liberation of Romania

[@HistoryHustle]

I see...

[@dragosstanciu9866]

@Kevin Kirby Liberation from what?

[@kevinkirby4305]

@@dragosstanciu9866 from oppression and injustice

[@dragosstanciu9866]

@@kevinkirby4305 Oh come on!! Seriously? And here I thought you were going to say something about the Jews. You surprised me Kirby.

[@kevinkirby4305]

@@dragosstanciu9866 "They" are the oppressors. "They" commit crimes against the Romanians.

[@JasonCodreanu]

Please read "For My Legionaries" and "The Prison Notes".

[@HistoryHustle]

Please explain.

[@JasonCodreanu]

@@HistoryHustle For My Legionaries is a semi-autobiography of Corneliu Codreanu and details the early formation of The Iron Guard. It contains writings from A.C. Cuza, along with other founding members of "The Guard of the National Conscience". It contextualizes a lot about the mentality of the Romanian peasantry during the interwar period. The Prison Notes is a very small collection of writings by Codreanu detailing his experience in prison awaiting his fate. It contextualizes the system of rule under King Carol and, in my view, vindicates Codreanu of any plot to assassinate him. (although someone should have, that was a mean king.) I am admittedly bias in making these recommendations to someone primarily interested in history, as Corneliu Codreanu is my patron saint (I am an Orthodox Christian as he was). Regardless, these two works are important in contextualizing this period of Romanian history. It's often easy to neglect primary sources when doing history (I know not everyone wants to read something like Mein Kampf while researching WWII German history).

[@Llewkcor]

@@JasonCodreanu "Nest leaders manual" is great too

[@kevinkirby4305]

@@Llewkcor thank you sir. A book I have been looking for

[@mihailhidler5400]

​@HistoryHustle How can you create a material about a person, without being aware of his main published work?

[@johnts3567]

Fun fact:After the King Michaels coup in 23rd August 1944,Horia Sima and the legionaries who were at Germany since 1941,created a Romanian goverment in exile(as stated in the video)and they created a Romanian National Army(Armata Nationala Romana)in the Waffen SS.The training of the Romanian SS units began im autumn of 1944 and the recruits were Romanians who at that time were trained in German military schools,soldiers and officers from units that were refitting in German territory at the time of the coup,legionaries who defected to the German lines after 23rd August and also soldiers from a whole Romanian Infantry Division with its entire command(the 4th Romanian Infantry Division with its commander Platon Chirnoaga who became the head of the new National Romanian Army).From all this new volunteer recruits,the 1st Romanian Waffen Grenadier Regiment of the SS was created.Another group of volunteers were recruited in the SS Special Forces in Döllersheim under the command of the famous SS officer Otto Skorzeny and they were trained for parachute and sabotage missions behind Soviet lines.In February 1945 the first Romanian SS Grenadier units reached the Oder River and have taken positions in the front south of Stettin.They were many casualties among the Romanian units since they battles there were heavy and also they were attacked before they reached the front by enemy aircrafts in their train.Also the Romanian special units under Skorzeny were fighting in the defense of Schwedt Bridgehead.These units stayed in the Oder and they were repositioned in the eastern approaches of Berlin and in April 1945 when the Soviet offensive was launched(the Battle of Seelow Heights and later thr Battle of Berlin)the Romanian SS Regiment suffered heavy casualties(almost all soldiers were either killed or wounded)and retreated along with other German units in the direction of Eberswalde and fought a fighting retreat until they reached the American lines in early May 1945.Also in March 1945 just before the German offensive in Hungary(Operation Spring Awakening),Romanian Legionaries were dropped very deep behind enemy lines in Romania to commit act of sabotage against the Soviets(destroy bridges,supply lines and create anticommunist guerilla).It was anticipated that when the German offensive in Hungary succeed,that a new offensive will be launched in Romania and that a new coup(Legionary coup)would happen and Romania would join the Axis again.As we know the German Offensive failed and this plan never came into fruition.But the Legionaries who were dropped in Romania were able to create a guerilla movement that would last until the 1960s.Most of my sources come from the book of Horia Sima "Guvernul National Roman de la Vienna"(National Romanian Goverment of Vienna),some from the book of Otto Skorzeny "My Commando Operations" and the "Skorzeny,the Ghost Commando of the Nazis".Most of these books are written in Greek so i dont know if they exist in English.Also very good video Stefan!Its very good that you show aspects of WW2 that are not very well known since they are not "mainstream" and not shown very often in documentaries.Sorry if i did some spelling errors since im not very good in English.

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for sharing this additional information.

[@Ripper935]

Otto Skorzeny, the biggest Chad. He fought both in the SS and the Mossad. And was buried in 2 places at the same time, Madrid and Vienna. 😂😂

[@gabiplatis9962]

What happened to Horia after the war though?

[@Ripper935]

@@gabiplatis9962 He fled to Germany, then to Franco's Spain where he, allegedly, died there.. Sima failed his cause. Also one of his speeches: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bnjImmd-n6x5q7M&feature=share&si=ELPmzJkDCLju2KnD5oyZMQ

[@Mar.1634]

Wow thanks for sharing

[@theswampangel3635]

Another great chapter in World War II history. Thanks for the well researched presentation.

[@HistoryHustle]

Many thanks.

[@Josephbyrnehistory]

Fascinating content as always, always love hearing the war from the perspective of the satellite nations, they had to play a very tricky game with the bigger powers which makes it all the more interesting.

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for watching!

[@SlavaBogu11]

Great faction! Big support from Serbia!

[@m.dewylde5287]

Serbia is a criminal nation. Cheers from Romania.

[@kaasmarcus]

Great video! I really enjoy how you show the political nuances of Europe back then, and tell the history of countries’ internal situations which we usually don’t hear much about. The second map of Romania is wrong though, Hungary did not receive all of Transylvania. Anyway, you got yourself a new supporter on Patreon, keep up the great videos!

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for your support. I stand corrected on the map though. It was a pre-WW1 map.

[@tsar389]

Fun fact: The Nazi Inner circle was split into two camps regarding the clash between Antonescu and Sima, Alfred Rosenberg and Heinrich Himmler supported the Legionnaires while Hitler and Goering supported Antonescu

[@user-wj6dt5bq3w]

Hitler favored Antonescu because he was a general. Sima was young and he was just a high school French teacher by profession. You can see why Sima wouldn't have made a good impression on Hitler.

[@geluurs8235]

Sima was a traitor, undercover agent to compromise the Legion. He lived to old age in Spain, while the real legionnaires were imprisoned, killed, tortured by the Joodeo-Bolshevik regime.

[@bogdantoma8472]

Good video. One little mistake that I have found: the map shown on 1:34 is not the map of Romania after the territorial losses of 1940 but the map before WW1.

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks. And I stand corrected.

[@t.jjohnson6317]

Thank-you for another great vid.God bless

[@HistoryHustle]

👍👍👍

[@janporinchak5867]

Well done - excellent presentation on a rather obscure subject.

[@HistoryHustle]

Thank you Jan.

[@aidankitson7877]

Excellent as usual Stefan. I'm still waiting for some content about Ireland my home Stefan. You and I both come from small countries with fascinating histories

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks. One day but not anytime soon. Sorry. Have too many projects at the moment and Ireland takes me incredible time to study up on since I have no basic knowledge on it. Do check the Great War channel. They have much content about post WW1 Ireland 🍀

[@marcoskehl]

@@HistoryHustle The Great War is another channel I follow too. Thanks! 🇧🇷

[@fri7z_]

Amazing content. Thank you very much 🙏

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks 👍

[@iulianviorelmosteanu2800]

The Iron Guard became more extreme with Horia Sima. Many people in Romania still admire the movement even though there was a lot of propaganda in the communist times ( from the talks with my parents ). The movement itself was planned on making a perfect man in the sense of his spirit. What this means is that the individual must be closer spiritually to God. Even Codreanu in his book ( and I know there is a lot of anti-Jewish quotes ) says that the Romanian must not hate the Jew because he's a Jew, but the real enemy is the one that fights against the Church and the state ( so anybody could be the enemy, and it wasn't just because of your ethnicity ). < while also explaining the time he saved a Jew's life Although there was indeed a hate for the Jewish people since with the rise of a minority comes social problems ( can see this during our time as well ) , and obviously the Jews at that time wanted the good of their people which in turn contradicts the needs of the Romanians back then. It wasn't surprising why the majority of the supporters of the Guard were young / students. There are many even today which hold views that are way too extreme, and i've seen these types of mentalities spread faster and faster here in Europe ( not sure if anyone noticed ). The thing that we must do is obviously to preserve our countries, and sometimes measures must be taken in order for stability and in order for a certain people group to be protected. Clearly these measures can be taken without doing an "extreme" , but just like before people seem to just close their eyes and watch the problem grow bigger and bigger until it's too late. Sometimes the very existence of a certain people group threatens the existence and social balance of yours. What I mean by this? Take a good look at Sweden and it's demographics/fertility rates. The procentage of about 50% of births with at least one non-Swedish parent is very concerning. Imagine a few generations go by, what will this in turn lead to? Obviously social problems, obviously the replacement of the people that created the very history of said country. A balance must always be kept.

[@luizamoraru9448]

so interesting! i suggest you read "The saint of the prisons" by Monk Moise-> goes into heavy details about the start of the Legionnares and its historical and social movement. God bless!

[@iulianviorelmosteanu2800]

@@luizamoraru9448, glad somebody was interested in what I said. Sadly, I wrote everything above quite quickly so I may or may not have made some mistakes, but still think I made my point clear. I actually have the book and managed to finish it recently. Currently trying to dive "further" into Orthodoxy and it's teachings, so reading "Vamile Vazduhului" by Nicodim Mandita. Not perfect since I am just a man, but I strive to do whatever brings me closer to that "spiritual" ideal that I have in my mind. Anyways, regarding the Legionary Movement. I do think that it's quite hard to just put a simple definition on what the Iron Guard really represented, especially if you expand the discussion and make it even more complex ( entering into their views on economics and whatnot ). My honest opinion is that the movement flourished with Codreanu, that the very idea of "Legionarism" was the views of Codreanu, so one of the best ideas you can get on this is literally from his books : For my Legionaries / Carticica sefului de cuib etc. I recall one quote from one of these : "Statul este o simplă haină care îmbracă trupul națiunii" > The state is a mere garment that dresses the body of the nation, going further to mention that you can change the clothing, but it would be of no use if the body is "rotten"/degenerated. Do I believe we will have the Iron Guard rise up again? Not sure, especially since times are different and they require different solutions, so maybe an adaptation of what it was to what it is would be necessary. But times are clearly changing, and the best way to "push" the wheel even further is by striving to that "ideal" of a moral person, a traditionalist person. Education, values, honor, patriotism. God bless comrade!

[@jrb1677]

Love this story. Romania has history all of its own, seldom explained but none the less equally interesting.

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for watching!

Great to learn about the Iron Guard. Always learning thanks to HH! Thanks Stefan!

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for your reply.

[@B727X]

Maybe not the best abbreviation to use

[@sojnab1]

Great job,you have a good channel

[@HistoryHustle]

Many thanks!

[@gocool_2.0]

First. Nice work on the videos on lesser known powers in WW2

[@HistoryHustle]

🥇

[@Mihaita-Gabriel]

You just read this shit from wikipedia...

[@HistoryHustle]

Nope, you can check my sources below the video.

[@jackavery7179]

Very interesting. Thank you Professor Stefan

[@HistoryHustle]

Thank you Jack!

[@xvsj5833]

Fascinating research Stefan, history would be a great learning tool only if modern societies pay attention. 🍺🍺

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks Jesse 👍

[@av4840]

Very well put together video 👏🏻

[@HistoryHustle]

👍

[@danvasile0776]

Thanks for video from Romania!!

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for watching.

[@davidraper5798]

Interesting and thankyou for the information. I have heard of the Iron Guard but that's about all until now.

[@HistoryHustle]

Glad you learned something :)

[@bradv9449]

Thanks for the history lesson.

[@HistoryHustle]

👍

[@muharremdemiraydn7766]

Great video

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks!

[@iuvenisD]

Goede video! Interessant hierbij is om op te merken dat nadat Antonescu de Ijzeren Garde had verboden, hij met de Duitsers had afgesproken dat op het merendeel van de asmogendheid-gebieden het voortaan verboden werd om literatuur van de Ijzeren Garde te publiceren. Nadat Mussert een Duitse vertaling van het boek "aan mijn legionnairs", geschreven door Condreanu, had gelezen had hij bevolen dit boek naar het Nederlands te vertalen en te publiceren, maar hier is niks van gekomen vanwege het hierboven genoemde verbod.

[@HistoryHustle]

Interessant om te lezen. Bedankt voor je reactie.

[@nledaig]

Another interesting documentary on a subject that I took a great deal of interest in some time back. There is a tendency to write-off these movements as "all the same" whereas what they have in common are some similarities and very few are identical replicas of each other. There is also a tendency for Europeans not to be able to identify these ideologies outside of Europe but they do thrive on the other continents and exist either as powerful pressure groups, fringe elements or actual governing groups. Western Liberals tend to throw their hands up in hypocritical horror when faced by these forms of nationalism but frequently show close similarities to some of these groups and often have close links when it suits their own bent.

[@jamesbodnarchuk3322]

Wow! Thanks Stefan!

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks James.

[@nikkibaugher9573]

Interesting lecture, Professor

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks Nikki!

[@haldir3120]

Isnt he a school teacher?

[@mohammedsaysrashid3587]

Allot Thanks Sir Stefan For sending This informative Video about Romania (Iron Guard Organization ) Before & During WW2 ...Maybe Romanian Oil producing (which was Most important for Nazism ) was Main Reason behind Adolf Hitler desired for General Stability for Romania ....Good Luck & Good done

[@HistoryHustle]

Most likely yes. Thanks for replying.

[@rjames3981]

Very interesting. I knew a little about Antonescu but not the ‘Green shirts’ (Iron Guard). I wonder where Ceaucescu was during all this?

[@0-Templar-0]

In prison for communist activities.

[@fritz2622]

In prison

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks all for replying.

[@mafteim5556]

Yup. He was under arrest in labor camp first if I'm not mistaken in Tîrgu Jiu then in Doftana Prison. Together with majority of the Communist leaders and other non communist opponents of the regime, not only that one but the previous regime of King Carol the 2nd.

[@cgabriel777]

According to the communist history he was a "hero" of anti-fascist movement, arrested by the political police of Ion Antonescu (Siguranta Statului) and sent to the prison. In the time of Antonescu the number of communists was very small. Communist Party was illegal because was a considered a subversive organization controlled from Moscow. After 1990, we found that Ceausescu was a young shoe maker that tried to steal a suitcase in railway station and arrested by the police. He was sent to prison because he was a thief. Here he met some spies of USSR and became a communist.

[@Markusctfldl]

Some point need to be clarified, probably due to the absolutely woeful western scholarship on this topic which is very misleading for anyone researching it. 1) Codreanu's movement was called the Legion of the Archangel Michael. The name "Iron Guard" was typically only used by the group's opponents, as the actual origin of the term was a broader movement of groups trying to conduct political campaigning in Bessarabia against the orders of the authorities. 2) There is no evidence that the Legion ever signed oaths in blood. This is mentioned nowhere in any primary source documentation I have seen. There is also no evidence Legionaries ever swore to kill if commanded. I fear you may have lifted this rather sensationalist fiction from a 2017 article by the pop news outlet 'Slate'? 3) When we say the government "suppressed" the Legion, its important to give the proper context. This "suppression" consisted of extra-judicial murder and torture of its members. By the time of the Carol's abdication, the government had murdered hundreds of members, while only 2 government officials (Ion Duca and Armand Calinescu) up to that point had met reprisals, both in response to these murders. The scale of murder by the Romanian state was without precedent in Europe at the time outside of Germany and the USSR.

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for sharing this.

[@slowbowz6383]

Codreanu was a man like no others, if we want to believe what Evola and Montanelli (other great people) wrote of him, a selfless person, a truly holy man who ironically is more understood in Italy than in Romania. Why do most romanian historical heroes end up betrayed and killed? Romania doesn't deserve its tragic history. But I hope thay one day, things like the percentage agreements between Churchill and Stalin will be avenged. Ps. I know that this video is just a hitpiece but you could've talked about the legionary participation in the spanish civil war and the funerals of Moța and Marin in Bucharest.

[@paulkoza8652]

I was expecting a bit more meat in this analysis. You did a good job with the topic up to 1941, but what were the details after that date? The Romanians were part of the Nazi invasion of Russia. The Germans treasured the alliance for the access to the oil fiels at Polesti. I'd love to see a more detailed analysis of this subject.

[@johnmurdoch8534]

The iron guard was sidelined after 1940 basically antoneacu was a conservative military man, not an ideology.

[@HistoryHustle]

There is more to cover for sure. Here my video on why Romania joined Barbarossa: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eoKcdIeEnr13ba8

[@ivc3092]

Every single source was by non-Romanian scholars. I think that if you truly want to understand this movement, you would definitely need to use Romanian sources. There is a profound difference that one can see between the Legionnaries and all other 'fascist' movements. Evola famously stated that legionarism wasn't a fascist movement at all, but something completely different. Also failing to explain *why* the anti-semitism of Codreanu grew is an oversight. Codreanu and his friends were tied by their feet to the ceiling and had their heads submerged in water by the Jewish police commander, for example. I do not believe it is fair to generalise in this way. Codreanu also was not executed, as he was never found guilty of a crime. He was murdered, his face covered in acid, and buried under concrete. Not a bad video, but clearly biased to demonise the legionnaires

[@HistoryHustle]

Well they were very extreme.

[@paulceglinski3087]

Great video, Stefan. Very interesting subject. Seems like everywhere in Europe extreme right wing movements happened. Outstanding job. Cheers.

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks Paul.

[@_utahraptor]

Make a video on Ion Antonescu one day. Id be good after this one

[@HistoryHustle]

One day.

[@makavelisoft]

Nice video! But I wanna point out a small thing: at 1:34, Romania did not lose as much of Transylvania, only lost half of it. You can see by searching "Romania 1940 map", the huns were awarded only a stripe of it. Great videos overall, it's nice that you do videos about smaller, lesser known nations.

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for your reply. I stand corrected on the image.

[@nikkibaugher9573]

I learned something new, today!

[@HistoryHustle]

Awesome!

[@Calciu_83]

Love Codreanu and my Orthodox brothers in Romania. Many Orthodox Christian monk elders from recent decades were Legionaries- Părintele Marcu, Arsenie Papacioc, Arsenie Boaca, Justin Pârvu, George Calciu, etc. They knew Codreanu personally and only had good things to say about him.

[@roland20002000]

I've only watched a couple of this man's vid's, they really are good.

[@HistoryHustle]

Great to read. Thanks for your reply!

[@mihailb8280]

Is not fascist . Is Christians . Okay ?

[@HistoryHustle]

A mixture I'd say.

[@AntoniuDraculea]

Generally good video although there are some mistakes. Most have been pointed out by other users but I'd like to point out one as well. You kept talking about the Iron Guard as a ''mass movement'' but I would have appreciated noting the actual data, that the Iron Guard was voted by 15% of the romanian voters (66% voted in 1937 when the Iron Guard got its maximum historic score, 15%).

[@HistoryHustle]

Where do I mention that?

[@AntoniuDraculea]

@@HistoryHustle 3:57 Personally I find it unfair and historically innacurate for it to be called a romanian mass movement when only aprox. 10% of romanians voted for it.

[@gabiplatis9962]

I have some questions. Didn't Antonescu request to meet Hitler the first time? And Sima simply hid in the woods and just didn't communicate with anyone aside from Himmler? Also fun fact! The Iron Guard members that did go to Germany after their failed revolt volunteered to join and form a brand new SS batalion around Satu Mare in 1944

[@HistoryHustle]

I read different things. One that Sima was not invited. Other account says he didnt show up. So I am not sure.

[@gabiplatis9962]

@@HistoryHustle I mean,the conclusion is the same sooo...yeah,thanks for clearing it out

[@v_iancu]

1:34 We only lost northern Transylvania not all of it.

[@HistoryHustle]

I stand corrected on the map. Already pointed out by others.

[@gumdeo]

Banned by King Carol; then briefly in power with Antonescu, and then finally banned by Antonescu.

[@HistoryHustle]

Crazy story yes.

[@CristianSV01]

Trăiască Legiunea și Căpitanul!

[@paulnicoaraable]

Acolo în iad, da petreceri cu Lucifer 😂😂😂 La fel cum va face și stăpânul vostru Putler, adică el ce lupta cu "nazistii" 😂😂😂

[@pixelblade2551]

@@paulnicoaraable Corneliu Zelea Codreanu a fost un adevărat român. Numai Corneliu, nu vorbesc despre garda de fier sau horia sima, de sigur nu horia sima sau Antonescu....... Dar Codreanu era adevărat

[@HistoryHustle]

Wonder where this is all about 🤔

[@georgecostan3248]

@@HistoryHustle The first comment glorifies the Iron Guard and its first leader, Codreanu.

[@pixelblade2551]

@@HistoryHustle Many people and a wide part of historians as well consider Codreanu to be a hero and a true patriot. A good man who died for his country, a man who didn't care about money, someone who always helped the poor people. Indeed Codreanu has never been a violent man like Horia sima, the leader who took charge of the party after his death.

[@alinaasandei9172]

The last remains of the iron guard is the romanian extremist party called alința pentru unirea românilor or aur (gold in english)

[@HistoryHustle]

I see. They sound extreme

[@gibraltersteamboatco888]

Excellent.Thanks BZ.. Hitler warned Antonescu not to break with the popular support the legionaries could represent:

[@HistoryHustle]

👍

[@CARL_093]

finally Romanian thanks bro its very helpful people will learn the other fascist chapters / party in other country good job bro

[@scottfarley3644]

Antonescu was NOT a Fascist! He was a authoritarian military Dictator. Vast difference.

[@HistoryHustle]

Hi Carl, thanks for replying. @Scott: Please explain.

[@CARL_093]

@@scottfarley3644 i know this video clear antonescu as fascist but clear as a authoritarian military dictator

[@jakubstuff]

Tell me if I'm wrong but the anti semitism was towards religion and class of Romania, Not ethnicity? I heard that jews who converted to Christianity were spared.

[@HistoryHustle]

About your last claim I am not sure about Romania, but in Germany this was not the case.

[@jakubstuff]

@@HistoryHustle Yeah in Germany it was very ethnic.

[@iulianviorelmosteanu2800]

Yes, there are/were no rules for non-Europeans to join the Legionary movement. Plus, Codreanu himself was not pure "genetically Romanian", he was mixed. The genetics of someone were not that relevant.

[@jakubstuff]

@@iulianviorelmosteanu2800 TLC?

[@kingoftheskies34]

The Iron Guard was very much an odd group. Very interesting things happened in there history Edit: the assassination of Codreanu very much radicalized the already radical Guard. If I’m not mistaken they tried to assassinate Carol when he was leaving the country

[@HistoryHustle]

I didnt know that. Thanks for replying!

[@kingoftheskies34]

@@HistoryHustle you’re most welcome!

[@JasonCodreanu]

Codreanu was accused of threatening to assassinate Carol but no evidence was ever presented. Codreanu spent his few remaining years in prison under the most inhumane conditions imaginable. He was physically rotting. Carol ordered the execution of Codreanu and a few members of the Iron Guard. They were ordered to make it look like a prison escape, Codreanu and his men being driven away and shot in the back of the head.

[@kingoftheskies34]

@@JasonCodreanu I know, I’m saying codreanus assassination drove the Guard into a much more vengeful state

[@mihaelafilipescu5818]

They painted the Ruf of the train CaroI II with his lover, Elena Lupescu. The train was bombed but escape. On board Carol managed to steal most of the Royal valuable.

[@MBP1918]

Interesting

[@HistoryHustle]

👍

[@henryzox]

"Green Shirts" It was also the name given to a semi-fascist movement that happened in Brazil at the time called "Integralism"

[@HistoryHustle]

Didn't know this!

[@didiervidry7687]

Intéressant.

[@HistoryHustle]

👍

[@dnaseb9214]

Based

[@VandeVisscher]

Groet uit Roemenië! 😉

[@HistoryHustle]

👍

[@zillsburyy1]

what about the arrow cross

[@HistoryHustle]

Covered here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZmGVcqCCidh_Z80

[@sirdarklust]

Good video, but you left one thing out that people often debate - was the Iron Guard the most extreme (at least, philosophically) fascist movement of the region? Some say they were, and that the Germans didn't even like them. I'd be curious as to your opinion. One thing that is interesting about their history is how they lacked order for a movement that was very much for order. However, they were a youth based movement, as opposed to the other fascist movement, so impetuousness could be expected. Finally, you really need to draw a line between the pre Codreanu (and cronies) murder and the movement after that. It basically became a different movement, although not in ding dong philosophy. Anyway, take it easy. (You knew I had to get ding dong in there...)

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for sharing this. Depends of how you meassure extreme. Personally I think the Croatian ustasha was more extreme, but they had more power. I think philosophically they Iron Guard was perhaps one of the most extreme movements out there.

[@cgabriel777]

Legionaries was the most mystical nationalist movement in the Europe I think. That was the reason Hitler did not liked them very much. They was too much focused on Christianity and Hitler wanted to replace Christianity with a German neo-paganism. Nazism was very much influenced by the Nietzsche philosophy. Nietzsche was against Christian spirituality.

[@justmenell3380]

@History Hustle by the way...what do you care so much about our history??? we know our history and no one...especially someone like you cannot change it !!!

[@HistoryHustle]

No-one can change history.

[@mabbrey]

well done hus

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks!

[@claudermiller]

Are you familiar with Sarah Churchwell? I was watching something last night where they were discussing fascism in America and she talked about the Klan, Henry Ford, America First Movement etc. Fascism certainly wasn't confined to Europe pre-wwii. It's been glossed over here in the US suffering the same fate as critical race theory. Americans are guilt adverse. 😆

[@HistoryHustle]

Dunno Churchwell. Interesting to read. Thanks for your comment.

[@michaels4255]

America First (a peace movement who supported the foreign policy of George Washington and the other founding fathers), Ford (whose main criticisms of the Jews were that they were using their money to corrupt the political system and stifle the press), and even the Klan were all classical liberals who supported democracy, free political parties, and the Bill of Rights, although the Klan of course did not favor racial equality or diversity, but neither did most ante bellum Americans. They were just holding on to an older American tradition. To argue that these were examples of fascism requires an absurdly broad interpretation of "fascism."

[@claudermiller]

@michaels4255 saying America First was a peace movement is like saying Rand Paul is a peace advocate. Rand Paul's interest isn't peace, it's about not spending tax dollars. They just happen to overlap. You sound like someone who was homeschooled by white, Christian nationalists. You've obviously been indoctrinated into revisionist history.

[@novadhd]

Fascinating history thanks. My grandfather fought against the Iron Guard in the Underground movements there. He did some rebellious things in Bucharest and eventually moved to Budapest, got caught and became a prisoner of war. Thx

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for sharing this!

[@illyrian44]

Your grandpa made the whole country suffer with 50 years of communism

[@Spartan265]

@@illyrian44 pretty sure that was the fault of the politicians. Not some random dudes grandpa.

[@matthewwhitton5720]

@@illyrian44 As opposed to, say, 50 years of Nazi dystopia ?

[@matthewwhitton5720]

@@Spartan265 Lol ! Well put !

[@serdradion4010]

Chronologically, Romania change sides from WW1, taking the side of Germany. Then changed sides again in 1944, switching for the US and GB, eventually and for the USSR-the problem maker over the Besarabia.

[@HistoryHustle]

Pretty much yes.

[@aidankitson7877]

Did you know that during WW2 Irish military intelligence known as G2 arrested more Nazi agents than any of the allies? However all downed allies airmen managed to "escape" across the border into N Ireland

[@HistoryHustle]

Interesting!

[@johnhanselman6371]

Ireland is a good example of not wanting to help the allies due to a bitter history with the British Empire but not wanting the Axis to take over. * It is never easy being #1: Everyone blames #1 for something and expects #1 to always protect them and trade with them and help them and hates #1 for taxing them... etc

[@coling3957]

they would know who the German agents were, having worked so closely with Germany in ww1 *receiving weapons and ammunition to stage the Easter Uprising* and remaining very friendly afterwards. Neutrality in ww2 was curious, Ireland were no bordered by Axis nations or endangered by them. when the US arrived in UK in 1942, many were based in Northern Ireland. the US seriously considered annexing the south... Interesting that in 1945 Eamon De Valera paid no respects when President Roosevelt died in April, but when he learned Hitler had died in May, he donned his top hat and tails and rode in the state carriage to the German Embassy to offer his condolences. strange behaviour. also quite a few German war criminals fled to Ireland after ww2 and were given asylum

[@goblin5tar]

You pronounce the romanian names so wrong😭

[@user-rv6cx3rz7t]

Bro the map of Romanian territory losses is slightly wrong. They only lost North Transylvania, not the entirety

[@HistoryHustle]

True, believe the map does point this out? If not I stand corrected.

[@ppalchinsky8301]

@@HistoryHustle map showing Romania partitioned in 1940 is actually Romania before WWI. It wasn’t that extreme.

[@patrickmccarron5059]

Spain had the Blue-shirts.

[@HistoryHustle]

True.

[@florentinion5207]

Garda de fier nu a a fost o mișcare fascista .a fost o mișcare naționalistă cu o mistica ortodoxă !

[@justanapple8510]

Stefan, do you think that we can call vladimir putin and his regime fascist?

[@HistoryHustle]

Not in name but it sure had similarities. There is even a name for it: rashism.

[@justanapple8510]

@@HistoryHustle Russia seems to be naturally non-democratic, like was there ever a real democratic Russia?

[@kelvinflores1460]

And the sapaniards had the blue shirts

[@HistoryHustle]

Hence the name Blue Division.

[@masonchurch680]

With these deep-dive videos about political movements in the 1930s, and the comments that arise. I don't think this is what the creator had in mind.

[@HistoryHustle]

Some comment sections are worse though...

[@asun777]

The Romanian Academy established that The Iron Guard was not a fascist movement.

[@HistoryHustle]

Please explain.

[@iulianviorelmosteanu2800]

@@HistoryHustle , they took the "fascist" classification down. "The Legionnaire Movement cannot be qualified as 'fascist' because it does not, through the doctrinal elements it adopted and promoted, have a fascist ideological character" > Dan Berindei

[@andreiangelian5189]

Romania didn't lose souther transilvania like shown in the image at the beggining

[@HistoryHustle]

I stand corrected on the map.

[@browngreen933]

After watching this, I can see why my grandfather Janos Fasi, left Romania in 1913 and emigrated to the USA.

[@nikesan2472]

bro, the iron guard happened later.

[@browngreen933]

@@nikesan2472 The region was already a train wreck in 1913.

[@HistoryHustle]

Good timing I'd say.

[@Nebiros21]

I just noticed on your factions playlist you have not done Austria's Fatherland Front yet. They are a VERY fascinating group: Anti-Nazi fascists!

[@HistoryHustle]

Not yet.

[@letitiabradin810]

war is another way to join satan in hell, peace leads a pathway to heaven, my ancestors are, VLAD TEPES/ MICHAEL THE BRAVE, and yes i have the iron guard bages, michael the brave badges, plus tepes item too, on my uniform jacket, and yet no american has ever, found out about it, and americans here in america thinks it's a toy, me and my family are part of a great ROMANIAN history legends,... ever since the first murderer(cain), man entered either in hell or heaven, not in between, you are looking at a legend here, me,......marius(punk rules).

[@aiziszizis2536]

The Iron Guard wasn't a fascist movement and this was said by a German historian who studied the nazi and fascist movements. It was a national Orthodox movement.

[@HistoryHustle]

With lots of fascists elements.

[@aiziszizis2536]

@@HistoryHustle Only their uniforms and salute were fascists elements.

[@TOTALNGERDEATH]

What historian?

[@majorian4897]

We shouldn't have to appeal to liberal sensibilities, the Fascist minimum consists of 3 fundamental pillars: Ultra-nationalism, populism and palingenesis, other than the ultra-nationalism (which has a debatable definition) I see ZERO reasons as to why it's ontologically evil.

[@KonradAdenauerJr]

After WW2, many Iron Guard members cravenly joined the ascendent Romanian Communist Party. One could say that they traded their traditional green shirts for red ones...

[@HistoryHustle]

That's where it came down to yes.

[@MMerlyn91]

Why am I seeing this only now? KZbin did you dirty, I'm a Romanian, they should've shown me this. A few things. At 1:33 the map is wrong, that's the map of Romania at 1878, not after the territorial losses after Ribbentrop-Molotov, the Vienna Diktat and the Craiova Treaty. Secondly, you should have used the opportunity when you talked about A.C. Cuza to mention the other far-right movement, LANC (National Christian Defense League), which also had its own paramilitary, "lancierii". Although you'd expect they'd get along with the Iron Guard, they really didn't, they fought amongst themselves a lot. Another thing I would have added is that the people who to this day sympathize with the Iron Guard do so probably because after the war they tried tried to fought against the Communist regime, they retreated into the mountains and they formed a resistance movement there and they got some help from the US and UK. It's actually one of the partisan movements who resisted the longest but of course they didn't have a chance. Also Horia Sima died in 1993 in Spain. I always found it weird how a guy literally involved in pogroms (or at the very least unable or unwilling to stop them) kept on living with no one bothering him at all. I know Franco protected him but even after that no one bothered to disturb him. Also, even though they were nationalists (the wrong sort of nationalists, I would add), they killed one of the biggest promoters of Romanian nationalism abroad, Nicolae Iorga. I mean, Iorga even managed to get Romania a small piece of Albanian territory in Sarande because of his contribution to Albanian historiography. The so-called nationalists killed a man who did much more for his country than they ever did. And that in addition to killing Duca, who was another great statesman, Calinescu, and so many innocent Jewish people.

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for sharing this additional information. As for the map, I stand corrected. Others already noted it in the comments.

[@IapologizeForBeingAstraightMan]

Romania have 3 national heroes:CZ.Codreanu,Marshall Antonescu and Ceausescu,all three fight and die for the country

[@HistoryHustle]

What a bunch of right wing extremist nonsense. Very sad people believe this.

[@tyronebiggums5547]

Big respect for your pfp

[@5alex029]

multă muie

[@user-gg4in4jy1h]

Just for your information, since you seem completely out of historical correctness : the Iron Guard was a NATIONALIST, not a "fascist" movement. It's not the same !

[@HistoryHustle]

See video.

[@nerozero8266]

👍

[@HistoryHustle]

🙂

[@dragan549]

They look too Hungarian in those green shirts.

[@HistoryHustle]

I did cover the Arrow Cross too.

[@Zdamaneta]

I didn't know hungarians have a monopoly on the green color. 😂

[@bigsarge2085]

🤜🤛

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for watching.

[@catalinmarius3985]

Who is the best fascist movement? Warhammer Orks: GREEN IZ BEST! Joke aside, the Iron Guard was fascinating, imagine combining fascism with religion. USSR: Can I have a piece of Romania? Hungary: Can I have a piece of Romania? Bulgaria: Can I have a piece of Romania? Probably the weirdest thing about the Iron Guard was that they were indeed hardworking people and honourable. Imagine someone who never steals, works 12/24 hours for a noble goal, and hates some jews on the sideline. It's rather shocking. If they weren't anti-semite and racist it would actually have been a good movement.

[@catalinmarius3985]

@Anhedon Fascism doesn't have any logic. You're looking for logic in a movement that is inherently illogical.

[@dalstein3708]

They might have been a good movement if they hadn't been fascist and violent.

[@erniefrijole2618]

Combining Orthodox Christianity with Fascism is exactly what Putin is up to in Russia right now

[@danghita497]

please analyze the Pogram from Iași!

[@HistoryHustle]

One day I hope. Very tragic event.

[@danghita497]

@@HistoryHustle I confidently await the promise of June 29, 2022, of the impartial study of that tragic event!

[@botatobias2539]

Do you think mere membership in the Iron Guard should of itself disqualify one from being publicly honored today with monuments, streets and the like?

[@HistoryHustle]

Really depends, but I'd say it's a disqualification.

[@botatobias2539]

There's the case of Valeriu Gafencu. He was 19 when he joined the January 1941 rebellion and incited attacks. He was jailed by Antonescu, then jailed by the Communists, and while in prison he devoted himself to faith, until his death. He was made an honorary citizen of Târgu Ocna, the town where he was detained, but... The local Jews didn't like this. They briefly convinced the local authorities to cancel his honorary citizenship, but it was soon reinstated by the courts. This man lived quite literally most of his life in prison, because he did a dumb thing as a teen. And even after death, the Jews tried to cancel him solely for his Guard membership. While I get where they're coming from... *Come on man!* We all do dumb stuff when we're young. The Jews really do exaggerate sometimes...

[@kevinkirby4305]

@@botatobias2539 "they" don't belong in Romania and have no right to say anything against a son of Romania

[@dragosstanciu9866]

@@kevinkirby4305 Relax Kirby, there are very few Jews left in Romania today. So you can be happy.

[@alvinlin8140]

@@botatobias2539 shit did he die in prison? How many years of his life was he free? What about his family?

[@florincristea4022]

Traducir en castellano

[@royale7620]

Some ppl say that fascism did not start in Italy but in Romania in 1890 with Alexandru C. Cuza. I don't remember the whole commentary very well but it was some sort of anti semtic institution, I hope someone knows what I'm talking about so they can complete the rest, but it is a nice theory. Also I'd like to mention that in the early 50s the CIA recruited Iron Guard members to paradrop them in Romania, however one of them got caught and snitched to the Securitate where the others would paradrop and that was that. Also Sima lived a long life in Spain till 1993-1994 and died there.

[@HistoryHustle]

Wonder if there are plenty post war interviews.

[@copyright8291]

Cuza's movement was more like a student movement with no real structure and no hint of a real program except its fervent antisemitism, especially in the 1890s. So no.

[@dragosstanciu9866]

The Iron Guard combined ultra-nationalist ideas with the Orthodox religion's dogmas, this made them popular among the young generation.

[@HistoryHustle]

Indeed.

[@nikesan2472]

Codreanu's father was also known as Zelinski,)) ohhhhh boy, a. nationalist who's dad is not Romanian and his mother ethnic german. the horror.))

[@HistoryHustle]

I see..

[@tiziogg6350]

His father was orthodox and he had the surname Zelinski(the polish version of Codreanu) because of polonization campaing made during austro-hungarian times. Stop being ignorant.

[@Zdamaneta]

@@tiziogg6350 well said, the whole drama about Codreanu's non-Romanian origins was just a defamation campaign perpetrated by his enemies.

[@tiziogg6350]

@@Zdamaneta It's also ridiculous that the legionaires are presented as n*zi bit they forgot the real n*zi from the national christian party of Octavian Goga(the king's right wing puppets and prostitutes).

[@geluurs8235]

He was not Polish ..