Why Did Romania Join Operation Barbarossa?

Romania joined the Triparte Pact on 23 November 1940. Romania became an Axis Power. After the First World War România Mare (Great Romania) was created. Interwar Romania was part of the Little Entente in order to keep the status quo. That changed after the Munich Conference in 1938. After the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact (1939) the Soviets demanded control over Bessarabia and North Bukovina. The Hungarians gained Northern Transylvania (via the Second Vienna Award). Bulgaria got Southern Dobruja. Led by Ion Antonescu the Romanian Army would take part in Operation Barbarossa. After securing its lost territories the Romanians advanced further into the USSR. After the Siege of Odessa the Transnistria Governate was proclaimed. Near Stalingrad the Romanian Army would suffer huge losses.
History Hustle presents: Why Did Romania Join Operation Barbarossa?
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SOURCES
- Joining Hitler's Crusade. European Nations and the Invasion of the Soviet Union, 1941 (David Stahel) Romania (Dennis Deletant).
- Third Axis Fourth Ally: Romanian Armed Forces in the European War, 1941-1945 (Mark Axworthy).
- Death on the Don. The Destruction of Germany's Allies on the Eastern Front 1941-44 (Jonathan Trigg).
IMAGES
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MUSIC
"Crossing the Chasm" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
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[@HistoryHustle]

Why Italy joined Barbarossa: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n4iypnmIjpiDY6s Why Hungary joined Barbarossa: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qqfYfoRshLtneKM

[@hybridforcesofthegdl3313]

I must admit, this is one of the best HISTORY channel. IT gets better and better daily ! Stephan can you make an episode about anti- stalinist freedom fighters in eastern - central Europe, 1944-70s ?

[@HistoryHustleNederlands]

@@hybridforcesofthegdl3313 One day for sure!

[@hybridforcesofthegdl3313]

@@HistoryHustleNederlands all algorithms ask you about the same subject. Specially- Belarus, Ukraine, Baltics, Moldova , Georgia .

[@michal8393]

Thanks for the video, and the best greetings to our strong Romanian brothers and sisters from Slovakia💙💛❤️ for now, Merry Christmas!

[@HistoryHustle]

👍

[@av4840]

🇷🇴🫶🏻🇸🇰

[@dand7763]

@@HistoryHustle what do you think if nowadays, Republic of Moldova (soon or later in some years) will be accepted in European Union as a new member, would Europe accept the reunion of Romania and Moldova, both inside European Union, like were until 28 June 1940? both are part of romanian culture , same language ,traditions, music , food ,same religion etc , it;s like was West Germany and Eastern Germany until 1990 ,departed then reunited

[@Edi-zp4wp]

​@@dand7763I think Moldova wouldn't be accepted in EU as it is now.Maybe if Romania and Moldova would unite the chances would be considerably bigger.Transnitria would be a problem though..

[@m.dewylde5287]

@@Edi-zp4wp It is against EU rules for a member state to enlarge its territory or to unite with another entity. It's not impossible, but it has to be approved by the EU vote of ALL member countries. It will never happen.

[@factorybear5264]

Romanian American here! Thanks Stefan. That’s my father’s name by the way. 🇷🇴

[@HistoryHustle]

🇷🇴👍

[@jackavery7179]

That's cool your father and the professor have the same name

[@NOGATE-no2xw]

Romania fight in second World War beside to NAZIS Forcies . ONLY GREECE AND SERBIA PEOPLE FIGHTING AGAINST NAZISM,ALLTHE ATHERS BALCANIANS PEOPLE WAS ROYFIANO AND BROTHERS OF HITLER NAZISM, BUT THE END GREECE SERVIA AND RUSSIAN ARMY FACING THE NAZISM AND DESTROY THEM

[@alexandruturza7131]

Very informative video. I am Romanian from Northern Transylvania (just on the border with Ukraine on Tisza river). During the war time when Transylvania was annexed to Hungary, the men were brought to fight on the eastern front in the Hungarian army. They got many military bases in nowdays Carpathian Ruthenia region where men were prepared before being sent to the eastern front. Later in the spring of 1944 (april, may and june), the hungarian local forces got the task to bring all the jews in ghettos. At the end they sent about 150.000 jews to Auschwitz, the jews from this area being one of the last transported by train to be exterminated because at that time the Red army was already pushing into Romanian teritory during Jassy-Kishinev offensive.

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for your reply!

[@vaxuvax]

As a romanian I thank you for the video. You are right ,for Romania Transilvanya was more important than the other territories. Transnistria was given to Romania as a consolation prize but Romania would have renounced to it if given NW Transilvanya back. I will close with two interesting facts, -the soldiers military helmets were made in Netherlands and were the 1927 dutch model helmet.In Romania these caps were called M39. The dutch sold 800 000 of these to Romania. -the germans to this day say that romanians betray them but in fact it was one of them Michael I Hohenzollern Sigmaringen ,the german king of Romania that betray them. The romanian Antonescu wanted to fight with the germans until the end.

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for sharing this additional information.

[@marcoskehl]

Mulțumesc! Obrigado! 🇧🇷

[@SergheyCSA]

@marius popa The army followed the king, because Germany was a losing cause - America declared war on Romania and the Romanian Army was lost at Stalingrad! Germany also betrayed Romania - because they supported Hungary on Transylvania Annexation to manipulate Romania into WAR against Soviets...

[@SergheyCSA]

@marius popa Stalin got special alloy for tank's engines and fuel tanks to stop freezing during that winter from USA when Uranus offensive started... Romanian army lacked logistic support and anti-tank weaponry! I hope today Romania learnt from history and invest only in last-Tech weaponry!

[@NOGATE-no2xw]

Romania people and Army was brothers of Hitler NAZISM

[@CalebNorthNorman]

The Romanians were pretty smart in their work to regain control of lost territory. Switching sides last minute to the side who had possession of the territory was brilliant. It also shows not everyone who fights along side another country really actually share the same ambition. As you said, they fought for their own reasons. As a final note, what happened to the Jews is very sad.

[@HistoryHustle]

Indeed. Hope to cover more in the future.

[@CalebNorthNorman]

@@HistoryHustle 👍

[@tng2057]

The sad thing is that Romania and the Romanian people really had no desire to be part of WW2. Unfortunately the combination of its geographic location, its possession of oil and other resources, presence of political opportunists, and the ruthlessness of its autocratic neighbors forced it to join the war. Wrong place at the wrong time.

[@fastyaveit]

Romania was not ready for the war that Hitler required from them, Italy was another one, being part of the axis felt wrong to them, Finland was another country that was on the wrong side, my opinion

[@fastyaveit]

@Land Of Aryans The population didn't though, and there were a lot of GIs that spoke Italian

[@julianshepherd2038]

I don't think the British wanted to fight in Europe. There was money to be made almost everywhere else.

[@terraflow__bryanburdo4547]

@Land Of Aryans Mussolini made the choice, the Italians rolled their eyes and trudged on in.

[@HistoryHustle]

Hope to cover more on Romania in WWII in the future.

[@marcoskehl]

I am happy to see this channel growing each video posted. You deserve the best for you efforts, Stefan. Groeten van een vriend! Obrigado! 🇧🇷

[@HistoryHustle]

Many thanks as always Marcos!

[@georgekaragiannakis6637]

Thank you Stefan for another insightful video. Once again history and geography place Romania as an actor in the current crisis.

[@HistoryHustle]

Thank you for your reply, George!

[@xvsj5833]

Excellent details Stefan, Thank you 😊

[@HistoryHustle]

👍👍👍 thanks Jesse.

[@xvsj5833]

@@HistoryHustle Thank you Stefan, stay safe good friend 🇺🇸

[@georgecostan3248]

Fun fact: at the Second Vienna Award, the Romanian delegation was very flexible and offered at one point a population exchange similar to the one eventually implemented in the Treaty of Craiova with Bulgaria, when Romania ceded Southern Dobrudja to Bulgaria. But the Hungarians wanted all of it and it was Hitler who found the solution of ceding Northern and Eastern Transylvania to Hungary. The Romanians were ignored, mainly because the southern tip of the ceded territory was both ethnically Hungarian and closest to the oil fields at Ploiești. But it is one hell of a what if scenario! Thank you for the video!

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for sharing this.

[@jackavery7179]

Thank you for the additional information

[@ionbrad6753]

As far as I remember from the memories of the Romanian special envoy at Vienna, there was no negotiation. He was presented the map, he fainted and that was it. Please provide the source of your information. I think these are lies.

[@georgecostan3248]

@@ionbrad6753 The source is Manoilescu's memoirs. I didn't say there was a negotiation; just that the Romanian delegation was flexible and open to negotiations, by providing some reasonable solutions in the Wilsonian spirit. This is also validated by Catherine Horel, Horthy's biographer, who pointed out that Hungary was too rigid and wanted all of Transylvania, but Hitler intervened and we got the historical outcome. The Romanians just didn't realize from the get-go they were talking to the wall at Vienna.

[@ionbrad6753]

@@georgecostan3248 I can rapidly find this: Aware that history will remember him as the man who signed the cession of northern Transylvania, Manoilescu felt the need to justify his actions and recount the personal, but also national tragedy, which he took part in as Romania's Foreign Minister in the ill-fated year 1940. Thus, he recounts his arrival at the train station in Vienna on August 29 at 1:00 p.m., where he was met by Ribbentrop, who took him to the hotel. Then the meeting of over an hour in which he spoke with Ribbentrop in German, with Ciano in French and Italian, and Ciano and Ribbentrop conversed with each other in English, Manoilescu also mastering this language. Compared to the attitude towards the Hungarian delegation, Ribbentrop apparently behaved more civilized, given that Romania was the victim. Nevertheless, Ribbentrop "just as solemnly and sharply, showed that he is authorized by the Führer to make the same statement: if we do not accept the arbitration, they will consider us as enemies of the Axis!". I will never forget the sinister night we all spent waiting for the arbitration, Manoilescu continues his account. The next day, at 1:30 p.m., Manoilescu and Valer Pop, the other member of the Romanian delegation, left accompanied by Wilhelm Fabricius, the German ambassador in Bucharest, towards the Belvedere Palace, arriving in the hall where the last act of the Romanian tragedy was played: " It was a round salon, like so many in the corners of old palaces. A round table in the middle. Entering, Valer Pop and I greeted, in front of us Ribbentrop and Ciano with their retinue. With a serious and cold gesture, we were shown our armchairs. Everyone was silent. They all wanted to be solemn, but to me they were sinister. A minute later, the Hungarian delegation was introduced. The Prime Minister, Teleki, a teacher type - more like a high school than a university, squinting behind his glasses like a Japanese. Csaky - fat, stocky, in a uniform that reminded us of the serugi from our boyar courts.[…] Ribbentrop answered me first, briefly and brutally, that I would speak at the end. The formalities continued. Schmidt read the arbitration act in German... Then came the culminating moment. The map was spread out on the table, like a death sentence. I first noticed that it is a Romanian map. My eyes were looking for the cut on the western border that we were all waiting for. I realized, however, that it was something else... When I watched in all its horror the division of Transylvania, I understood that the powers that were weakening me were leaving me completely. The picture before the eyes became blurred, like a yellow cloud, from gray yellow, from gray black. [...] I began to see again and had the strength to continue the ordeal. The documents were presented to me for signing. I took out my case with green ink, with which I had written so many beautiful things and so many good thoughts for my country. I washed everything without reading any more... Soon Valer Pop came too. I was telling him in a low voice what horror awaits me, because from now on I will be cursed by all the peasants of Transylvania, whom I loved so much, whom I had proven to love..."

[@danielhammersley2869]

Romania seems to have the habit of winding up on the winning side in two World Wars here. Fascinating & new angles that led to the Cold-War era and today's issues. Thank you, Professor once more!

[@HistoryHustle]

Many thanks for your support!!

[@danielhammersley2869]

@@HistoryHustle . you're very welcome, sir!

[@UnchiuBaros]

Only in the second and in the second they didn't even want to join the axis but a way better option than the soviets

[@rawstephen4734]

Same as Italy, only that Romania done this because was first betrayed. And when Romania was with Germany, germans promised lot of modern military in order to make Romania continue the war instead to act like Finland and not cross border that was international recognize. Antonescu make the decision to continue the war beyong Besarabia ( Republic of Moldova) and because germans lied to him when they promise lot of help with new military equipment. Only few reach romanian army and instead romanian were used many times as canon fodder which had extremely bad moral on romanian troops . Even at Stalingrad german blame romanians but only fault was on german side who didn't listen to romanian about soviet offensive . So many of the initial deal was not respected by germans, so Romania done as Finland and Italy done and that is to change sides . And Hungary tried to change sides but was rapid occupied by germans . So Hungary continue with germans not because they were loyal but because been already conquer by germans .

[@WEMBLEYNE]

​@@rawstephen4734yeah that's why they should've stayed put. They had no interest in stalingrad

[@darcydomanko6396]

Always informative and a good job at keeping it interesting.

[@HistoryHustle]

👍👍👍

[@markmooney9416]

Love your videos, I find you do a great job navigating the many perspectives and viewpoints

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for your reply Mark!

[@davidraper5798]

Interesting and well presented as ever.

[@HistoryHustle]

👌

[@dancarson1479]

Another great video. So little information on the subject, keep up the series!.

[@HistoryHustle]

🇷🇴👍

[@jamesbodnarchuk3322]

Great content as always!

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks James.

[@ivannio8519]

Super info. Thank you :)

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for your reply.

[@stuartjohnston926]

Another great video sir. Very interesting.

[@HistoryHustle]

Many thanks 👍

[@Nikki_Baugher]

Professor, EXCELLENT lecture. Thanks.

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for your reply!

[@timidpan2255]

Just watched this video, very informative for my thesis test this semester, your English is very good this video deserves a like ❤

[@HistoryHustle]

Many thanks for watching and replying!

[@jackavery7179]

Best video to date. You are very intelligent professor Stephan. I like hearing information about WW2 that's never covered in the traditional educational systems or in Hollywood Motion Pictures. Happy May and start of Irish Summer 🇮🇪🍀💚

[@HistoryHustle]

👍👍👍

[@rjames3981]

Interesting video. I believe Romania use to have a lot of oil too. This affected Germany’s attitude towards Romania I have heard?

[@HistoryHustle]

True.

[@user-rp8wh2mb8k]

A little bit late to the party ...check out Operation Tide Wave. KNOWLEDGIA posted a video about this event on his KZbin page

[@serdradion4010]

Romania had a casus beli, latin expression, to attack USSR, because USSR attack them prior with no provocation by Romania and took their territories of Bassarabia and North Bukovina with Romanian ethnic majority. Nowdays Moldova is significantly reduced Bessarabia, with no sea access, not counting the North Bukovina as a separate province.

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for sharing.

[@Akyplaygame]

I really think Axis had the most interesting foreign volunteers, like SS and Wermacht.. uniforms, logos, and they were like crusades that are proud of their nation whether they German or not

[@HistoryHustle]

Some indeed saw themselves that way.

[@justmejustme1245]

thank you for your information. You teach this old gramma what I never cared to learn 60 years ago.

[@HistoryHustle]

Great, thanks for replying!

[@rw8185]

Thanks a lot for this video. I learnt more about the battle between Axis/Allied Powers as well as nazi/communist shifts of powers from this video than I did for 16 years in school included me studying history academically.

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for watching.

[@sirdarklust]

A good succinct explanation. Ding dong and take care.

[@HistoryHustle]

🇷🇴👍

[@genxman7211]

My family are Bukovina Germans. Another mostly unknown part of the war. Forced removal and resettlement in Poland, at the expense of Polish people. The young men were drafted into the SS.

[@nikesan2472]

there s a good book about volksdeutsche that joined the ss by Paul Milata, check it out.

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for sharing.

[@TheLocalLt]

Yes especially since the area was due to be handed over to the Soviets; population exchange was included in the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact. The same happened to the Baltic Germans, who were moved to newly-reconquered West Prussia in 1939-40 ahead of the Soviet annexations, and despite the aristocratic Baltic Germans and their conquests being a major part of Prussian and German ideology, they were not allowed to move back to the Baltic even after Germany took over the region in 1941, which would instead become home to a German settler colony for SS elites. Of course after the war the Soviets deported all Germans under their control east of the Oder-Neisse line back to Germany or Austria, while the Yugoslav Communists did the same with the Banat Germans (who, as opposed to Baltic and Bukovina Germans that had been subject to the German-Soviet Pact, had been allowed to remain in the Banat by the Germans under the German Vice Governorate of the Banat).

[@gibraltersteamboatco888]

Great video. Bz Not as rosy of an outcome for them as WWI but still well played.

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for your reply.

[@hybridforcesofthegdl3313]

I must admit, this is one of the best HISTORY channel. IT gets better and better daily ! Stephan can you make an episode about anti- stalinist freedom fighters in eastern - central Europe, 1944-70s ?

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks. Interesting topic. Hope to cover more on that in the future.

[@dand7763]

@@HistoryHustle Ion Gavrila Ogoranu his story ! he was caught by Securitate in 1976! en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ion_Gavril%C4%83_Ogoranu

[@royale7620]

Must do a video on King Michael of Romania! And also about the Legionary Rebellion if you haven't already.

[@HistoryHustle]

One day perhaps.

[@sensibleshinchan1019]

Hey Stephan, have you started weekly uploads or is there a delay in the latest video?

[@HistoryHustle]

Every Saturday 👍

[@sensibleshinchan1019]

@@HistoryHustle alright, thanks for letting me know👍

[@markpickett4403]

It 2022 and it's starting all over again.

[@HistoryHustle]

again?

[@tiziogg6350]

Modern researchers concluded that based on a more accurate analyze of documents, that Ion Antonescu actually made a military coup to overthrow the governament of the Iron Guard(despite the fact that was the Iron Guard the reason why Ion Antonescu obtained that high position in the governament). After that coup Romania become a military dictatorship without any clear ideological affiliation.

[@toddbonin6926]

Excellent video. Thank you. I know this isn’t exactly a topic you cover, but I would like to know two things about Moldova. (1) Why didn’t Romania annex Moldova after the breakup of the Soviet Union? (2) Why does Russia have such an interest in that strip of land, especially since it’s not Slavic and doesn’t add much territory or sea access? I’m open to anyone answering - especially Romanians. Thank you again! Love this channel!

[@alexandrub8786]

Horrible economical recesion and "shock therapy"+Transnistria issue.

[@toddbonin6926]

@@alexandrub8786 thank you

[@alexandrub8786]

@@toddbonin6926 you are welcomed,Romania is still suffering brain drain and large emmigration,from the young generation which has mix effects on the country.

[@HistoryHustle]

More on the second question here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fnisfJaljtmqfK8

[@toddbonin6926]

@@alexandrub8786 I think Romania is a magnificent country. I remember watching a documentary series on Romania with my parents back in the 1970s. My mom said that if Romanians could just get good government the country would blossom. I was particularly impressed by the great faith of the people. I really do long for great things to happen for Romania.

[@browngreen933]

In light of recent events, one can almost understand why Germany and Romania wanted to destroy Moscow's power for all time.

[@HistoryHustle]

So because of 2022 Germany and Romania in 1941 went to war... 🤔

[@browngreen933]

@@HistoryHustle Not just 2022, but the entire nuclear threat Cold War and 50 year occupation of Eastern Europe. Previously we could blame it on Stalin and Communism, but now? Something to ponder.

[@gumdeo]

Prussia/Germany was traditionally quite friendly to Russia, but WW1 changed everything.

[@vlad_47]

@@browngreen933 Maybe blame it on Truman and Churchill? They are the ones who started the Cold War. Who dismissed the offer to unify Germany after the austrian model.

[@browngreen933]

@@vlad_47 Definitely blame on both sides. Same today with USA throwing gas on a fire.

[@dnaseb9214]

Nice. Bless em for fighting for the right cause.

[@HistoryHustle]

Please explain.

[@dnaseb9214]

@@HistoryHustle Look at how every western country looks today. You will understand which side in WW2 were the "good guys".

[@HistoryHustle]

I wouldnt say there were "good guys" but the Allies minus the Soviets were better (not fully good) than the Axis.

[@dnaseb9214]

@@HistoryHustle How ? R*pes check K*lling prisoners check Conscentration camps for Germans, Italians, japaneese and others check Launching 2 nukes against civilian centers bingo (only USA) They did the exact same warcrimes or worse.

[@6876I]

​@@dnaseb9214 add Dresden bombings of civilians to the list. The real and only holocaust.

[@MMerlyn91]

The general opinion is that we had to join Germany to reclaim Bessarabia and Northern Bukovina, but we should've stopped at the Dniester, that way we wouldn't have been considered "aggressors" by the Soviets. A lot of politicians said that Romanians aren't eager to fight for land that isn't theirs and they weren't wrong, plus we were woefully unprepared for this invasion. On the other hand, given what happened after the war, one could see that Antonescu was right about the fact that the Soviets would never have played ball with... well, anyone, really. Unfortunately the Allies, US and UK, abandoned us to the Soviets, I think the Americans were very, very naive regarding the Soviets. They did try to help the anti-Communist resistance after the end of the war (mostly former Legionnaires) but it was too little and way too late. King Michael tried to resist the Communist takeover and complained to the Americans but they shrugged that off.

[@HistoryHustle]

More on Romania in WWII in the future.

[@unboxing4319]

I think the Jewish deportation had support from the general Romanian population and what happened after 1944 when Romania was forced into communist is pay back time for how horrible some people behaved in those times

[@ionbrad6753]

” that way we wouldn't have been considered "aggressors" by the Soviets. ” - Not true. But we wouldn't have been considered "aggressors" by the Western allies (we were not seen as aggressors as long as we fought for Bessarabia and Bucovina). Western Allies did not recognize the USSR annexion of those two territories by USSR in 1940. However, neither the Allies stopped at Germany borders when fighting Hitler. So they must have understood Anotnescu's reasoning against bolsheviks; however that was against their interests of the moment. Another black mark on Romania and specially on Antonescu regime was the treatment of the Bessarabian and Bucovinean jews (deportations in hunger lagers, killings etc). The rest of Romania jews, although stripped of rights, were somohow protected (not deported to nazi camps etc).

[@m.dewylde5287]

I am Romanian and I agree@@unboxing4319

[@m.dewylde5287]

I am Romanian and I agree. It was despicable what happened to the Jews and the Gypsies of Romania during those times. I apologize for my great-grand parents wrong doings...@@ionbrad6753

[@albertmarnell9976]

Stefan, I just watched your video "What Happened After The Second World War? - Territorial Changes, Revenge and Rebuilding". It was excellent! You strive for perfection. I apologize if I ever was a burden of any sort. As the son of a mother born in Hamburg in 1921 and brought to the U.S. in 1927, I carry her heartache and those of her parents. Most of her relatives stayed in Germany. I get defensive. To this day occasionally, I might be exposed to a conversation in New York where the wounds of the parents and grandparents still come out. Every individual has a different story but few want to hear or empathize with the suffering of the descendants and living victims of any war. As a U.S. boy in the 1960s the children and grandchildren of those that suffered in Europe would repeat what they heard. There was empathy but also arguments and fights. Trauma passes to new generations.

[@HistoryHustle]

I understand. Thank you for sharing this.

[@gumdeo]

One interesting thing about Antonescu is that even the communists starting praising him from the 1960s onwards.

[@HistoryHustle]

Didn't know this.

[@MMerlyn91]

@@HistoryHustle It wasn't necessarily praising, it was more a part of the Communist propaganda of building towards the idea of the "great leader". Ceausescu practiced National Communism so he needed a powerful story that Romanians have always been lead by great men with great power. Starting with Michael the Brave, Stephen the Great and so on so they've adopted Antonescu as the latest great man, all leading up to... Ceausescu, of course. It was a way to justify his supreme authority.

[@MMerlyn91]

@@strykder Agree about most of your comment, less on the "the Soviets killed him" part, that's just pure speculation. It was a revolution, we don't know how the West and the East interfered and I suspect we will never find out. The West will never admit to interfering and the idea of Russia helping us escape dictatorship wouldn't help our anti-Russian identity. But yeah, Ceausescu's legacy is a mixed one. He was a dictator but he also built modern Romania. And sadly, none of the politicians before him or after him have done better. I believe that in time the hatred of him will dim out and people will recognize his role in building Romania.

[@46FreddieMercury91]

I never understand why Russia wants to expand into other territories given it is already so big it covers 11 time zones. But mad men combined with politics are not about doing the moral thing. Always about power

[@julianshepherd2038]

To get into a good defensive position especially to the west. So if Ukraine is NATO then they need to defend 2000km but if they have Ukraine its about 600. 2000km would destroy the Russian economy and they fear Russia being occupied at that point.

[@alexandrub8786]

To get a defensable position.

[@browngreen933]

To make Moscow great again.

[@HistoryHustle]

Comes down to geopolitics yes.

[@terraflow__bryanburdo4547]

The Romanian helmet is the exact compromise between the German stahlhelm and the Soviet helmet.

[@HistoryHustle]

Actually the Dutch had the same shape of helmet.

[@terraflow__bryanburdo4547]

@@HistoryHustle It goes perfect with wooden clog shoes!

[@healththenopulence5106]

They were dutch helmets which Roarmy used

[@dand7763]

@@HistoryHustle Romania bought 800.000 helmets from The Netherlands ,use them in WW2

[@stevekaczynski3793]

10:10 - Romanian officer uniforms were typically darker than those of their men, and often worn with a shirt and tie. It looks like a platoon posing for the photo here, with two officers at the back and a few NCOs reclining at the front of the group.

[@jamesgibbs7872]

The depth of German, Soviet, and Rumanian WW2 History is deeper than I knew.

[@HistoryHustle]

Hope you found it interesting, James. Thanks for watching!

[@cristibrad6742]

it goes back to chancellor Bismark's relationship (disapproval) of Carol I Hohenzollern and the little union of the Kingdom of Romania of 1856. From what is Germany nowadays and Prussia, since after the times of the crusader orders, the german nations were not friends. France and later also the USA were the friends.

[@cristibrad6742]

and ever since the russians got past Ukraine and Crimeea they were no friends. If they succeeded in their last Ruso-Turkish war, there might have never been an internationally recognized Romania in 1856 as it was in our timeline.

[@stevekaczynski3793]

10:05 - Romanians wore rather tall winter hats - these are POWs near Stalingrad. I think they were made of sheepskin. Later in the war a lower, more Soviet-like winter cap with ear flaps was introduced.

[@markusrasmussen8909]

Came here at 24 sec. So first

[@HistoryHustle]

🥈 Almost.

[@markusrasmussen8909]

@@HistoryHustle thanks for responding love your content it's really interesting

[@CalebNorthNorman]

👍Its amazing the political field of the west vs. east during that time. All the little countries had conflicts of Christianity vs. Communism and these clashing value systems, but then when the smaller nations met with Germany and others you had this Racial Ethnic ideology which would make a 3rd ideology in the field of 20th century politics. It appears this really came as a surprise and alarm to the leaders down to the common people. Many nations had absolutely no measurable animosity to races like Jews. Denmark for example, even defended their Jewish population and didn't allow them to be collected. Its so strange to me that small countries when turning to powerful ones that were supposed to be Christian rather than Communist had these ideas about Race that they demanded policies be implemented in order to protect and assist the smaller nations. Then again here in America there was racial segregation. And nothing i have said gives the Communist side of the story which many well meaning citizens wanted to replace the system of monarchs.

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for sharing your insights.

[@sergeipohkerova7211]

Like Italy, they bet on the better looking horse but then changed their bet during the home stretch.

[@HistoryHustle]

Different than Italy actually.

[@sergeipohkerova7211]

@@HistoryHustle well obviously different circumstances, but I'm referring how they started off as being aligned with the Germans but ended up on the other side.

[@Arcangel77able]

Thanks for the video and the lesson, I like the statistics, after Italy, Romania was the member of the Axis, which contributed more troops to the Axis. Does anyone have the oil production figures for Romania in Millions of Tons, during 2 GM? I appreciate the data. Greetings.

[@HistoryHustle]

Can't tell. Thanks for your reply anyway.

[@Arcangel77able]

@@HistoryHustle I am passionate about the subject, since I was a child, more than 1000 books and pdf s. the data of the "Romanian energy matrix is ​​important", because as you know it was the main supplier of natural oil in Germany (and the rest of the Axis)

[@Arcangel77able]

@@HistoryHustle I need to check a data I have, to see its accuracy (or not) and incorporate it: 7 Million Tons per year (something like 580,000 Tons per month, all produced in Ploesti. It is valuable historical data, due to its implication in operations. Pd: USA 1944: 100 Million Tons. Greetings from Argentina.

[@dand7763]

*between January 1939 and July 1944 Romania delivered 11.632.000 tons of oil to Germany* , in current currency nowadays (euro) that means Germany must pay to Romania around 18 Billions euro (after WW2 they don't pay nothing)

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for sharing.

[@user-ci6dz8fu3y]

Romania chose to join due to the fact that they would of become victim of the USSR's plan to invade western Europe codenamed operation thunder that was meant to happen on July 10th 1941

[@HistoryHustle]

Never heard of that plan..

[@milankrishna2550]

Hey History Hustle thanks for the video. Can you do a video on allied war crimes like the artificially engineered famines in India whose casualties were downplayed by the British?

[@HistoryHustle]

Why did the Allies created a famine? Believe this was due to mismanagement. Still tragic of course.

[@robertm.8653]

It was less " artificially engineered " and more like a great mismanagement by the British authorities who prioritized the export of grain and other food outside India, bad harvests, the loss of other regions that were producing food and the influx of refugees running from the Japanese.

[@milankrishna2550]

@@robertm.8653 Prioritized? Look at Churchill's letters. Britain already had stockpiles but still food was snatched from the locals. Churchill said that it was the Indian's fault for having such a massive population. Why didn't the British who lived in those regions starve? Only Indians?

[@robertm.8653]

@@milankrishna2550 ...because, they, prioritized, feeding the British administration?

[@milankrishna2550]

@@robertm.8653 and allowed indians to strave? they were not compelled to draw good from india but they still did

[@stansfieldmcelroy]

hail Stefan!

[@HistoryHustle]

👍

[@GamesCell]

10:33 - Wrong, Romania actually lost the war ever since it switched sides in 1944. Being a vassal of the Soviets was a result of that defeat, which was very humiliating. At least Northern Transylvania is again Romanian, but at what cost?

[@HistoryHustle]

Victory came at a cost yes.

[@stefann2461]

Don’t act like Soviet vassalization wouldn’t have happened anyway, whether it be through “defeat”, or “liberation”. Romania could only have lost, but at least this way it seems they lost the least they could. Also, people don’t really seem aware of how much more independent Romania was from other eastern bloc states like Poland or East Germany. Romania was really only a Warsaw Pact member by title.

[@ares106]

Pretty good, unfortunately the S in Antonescu is the regular s, not the sh.

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for sharing.

[@nerozero8266]

👍

[@HistoryHustle]

🥇

[@krixpop]

🧷

[@amina-pr8xt]

After France was conquered by Nazi Germany and GB didn't intervene in Poland, Romania (even if it was democratic and not under Antonescu) had only the choice to side with either the SU (under Stalin) or Hitler Germany. The SU had territorial conflicts with Romania You should have said a bit more about the romanian switching of sides in 1944; it is in the context of a coup against Antonescu and was probably the most important action of then king Mihai. But it couldn't prevent the sovietization of the country

[@HistoryHustle]

I understand. Think is that this video isn't about the 1944 events. I hope to cover that in the future.

[@Akyplaygame]

Make a video on Italian Puppet State of Montenegro WW2

[@HistoryHustle]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/fpyVd6BupL57mKM

[@thomasdg9595]

I enjoy that new episode! I expected you to spend more time on the part of Transinitria Kingdom. Was it a created puppet state, an occupied region used for deportation or a territory foreseen for annexion after total Jew Extermination?

[@HistoryHustle]

More on Transnistria here kzbin.info/www/bejne/fnisfJaljtmqfK8

[@thomasdg9595]

@@HistoryHustle Thanks for that link: You have made incredible progress on your elocution, the rythm of your videos and pictures you use! Unlike lost Northern Transylvania, we may never know real Antonescu's project in a long term period for this area...

[@goldreserve]

Poland are thinking about reclaiming territory lost to Ukraine? The traditional use of youth in Europe is cannon fodder.

[@HistoryHustle]

Like today? Let's hope not.

[@SirAdrian87]

0:40 the victor is not victorious if the defeated does not consider himself so.

[@HistoryHustle]

Ok.

[@MrCealicuca]

Nice summary, however Romania was most definitely NOT among the victorious nations of World War 2, despite moving to the Allied camp. Stalin's own machinations as well as probably the fact that what was left of the Romanian Army after the Soviets occupied the country managed a final effort and sacrifice on the Western front (as you said, Hungary and Czechoslovakia), contributed to the fact that Transilvania remained as part of Romania in its totality. That and the annulment of the Vienna Awards :) Unfortunately, just like all other east-of-the-Iron-Curtain states, it did not benefit from the Marshall plan (rather the opposite, as the other countries in the Soviet sphere of influence, it was plundered horrifically for about a decade) so not by any stretch of the imagination could it be said that Romania ended up on the "winning" side of World War 2. But if you want a really tragic example of someone who ended up on the "winning" side yet got the same treatment as Romania (arguably even worse!) look no further than Poland. As for other minor Axis allies, curiously, those that had not been attacked at all by the Soviet Union (so had no reason to join the war in the East) yet chose to fight alongside the Axis (Hungary, Bulgaria) ended up, territorially at least, in the same or even better position (Bulgaria retained Southern Dobrogea - which in the long run turned out to be a good thing in Romanian-Bulgarian relations :) ) than at the start of World War 2, while at the same time Romania (or Finland, though not even an Axis member but a co-belligerent) had to pay the price of their "aggression" against the Red Nazi (USSR).

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for sharing your insights.

[@Mr10b]

It simply wanted to free Bessarabia and Northern Bucovina that were occupied by the USSR from Romania in 1940. There were no other superpowers in Central Europe capable and willing to help against USSR but Germany. Keep in mind that Germany already abusively gave parts of Romania to fascist Hungary (Northern Transylvania) and to Bulgaria (southern Dobrogea). So this was not an easy decision to make. By getting on one side, Romania knew it would automatically lose the territories taken by its bigger ally. The fact USSR was bolshevik (a political movement frowned upon in Romania at that time), that the extreme right temporarily got to power (takening advantage of the turmoil and territorial losses) at that point in time, that the marshall Antonescu had somewhat good relations with Germany, that the soviets were constantly trying to destabilize the eastern borders of Romania till WW2 by sending in NKVD commandos, made the alliance with Germany more likely than the one with USSR. The leaders of Romania at that time chose to try to take back the eastern territories and Germany agreed to it as a compensation mainly for Northern Transylvania. Eventually Romania did regain its eastern territories with the help of Germany. Most historians are asking themselves why didn't Antonescu just stop there? On the Dniester river. He knew the romanian army isn't well trained and equipped for a long war, the main objectives were achieved, he could have positioned a significant army in defensive positions on the Dniester and would have had better chances to resist the soviet army in 1944-1945. Nobody knows for sure why. Did he have a personal agreement with the germans to go all the way with them in return for the help to regain Bessarabia and Northern Bucovina? Did he do it out of his personal belief that the bolshevik regime must be destroyed? Did he just get carried away as a military leader and wanted more land? Because in Romania people were not that trilled about Transnistria, that was given to Romania by Germany. Then there are all those crimes against the jews committed in that region with Antonescu's complicity, reason for which he remained in history as a war criminal instead of a hero.

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for sharing your insights.

[@Akyplaygame]

If you were to ask me.. I think Serbia should have joined Eastern Front with Axis Powers.. I really think it would be such a heroic battle, and we would side with Europe like everyone who went to Eastern Front (i’m not saying Serbia didn’t have an Foreign Volunteers tho)

[@HistoryHustle]

More on that here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q6XSdoRog9Z8ldU Do notice there wasn't much heroic on the Eastern Front. It was death, misery and suffering.

[@Akyplaygame]

@@HistoryHustle I know.. fun fact: it’s still unknown if Serbs made a volunteer formation on eastern front, and since everything almost is gone.. it’s unknown yet (we got an SS during 1944 tho)

[@HistoryHustle]

Didn't know this.

[@stevekaczynski3793]

9:39 - Rather modern-looking uniforms of Romanian troops in what seems to be a colour, as opposed to colourised photo. From a distance khaki-clad Romanians looked like Soviet soldiers, and to avoid friendly fire incidents Romanian troops often wore yellow armbands as a field sign.

[@panekoekopjema]

I just want our king and clay back 🇷🇴🇷🇴🇷🇴🇷🇴🇷🇴🇷🇴

[@HistoryHustle]

Ok.

[@Sabinathor]

Starting a World War with an Alliance and finishing with the opposide side(the Winners) is quite... top gymnastics 🤸‍♂ elastic hearts💕. Still the best at this sport, Nadia Comaneci got the first 10.00, the absolute score in gymnastics! I still belive that some day Romanians will bend the space-time continuum too, first to create a wormhole! Alles Gutte! 🤣🤣🤣

[@jesusfreak1700]

Keep hustling that history buddy! Slava Ukraine!

[@HistoryHustle]

👍👍👍

[@ionbrad6753]

8:36 - no, Romania lost territories only to Axis side. In 1940, USSR was allied with Nazi Germany and negotiations to fully incorporate USSR into the Axis were really advanced. However, Hitler considered a few of Stalin's requests as being "too much" (Northern Bucovina, bases in Bulgaria), he got unnerved so he ordered planing for Barbarossa, ending the negotiations with no notice. Source: diplomatic correspondence seized by USA from Germany (the same which allowed Americans to reveal the secret Annex of Ribbentrop-Molotov pact 45 years before Soviets admitting its existence). In 1939-1940, Moscow was defending Hitler, Stalin was congratulating Hitler for his conquests and was publicly saying UK and France are criminals and they should not fight nazism - which is just an ideology. Later, the Pravda articles with such statements were cut off from the newspapers held in soviet libraries : )

[@HistoryHustle]

Don't really get the point you are trying to make. Romania lost Bessarabia (now Moldova) and North Bukovina to the USSR.

[@ionbrad6753]

@@HistoryHustle The point is USSR was allied to Germany in the summer of 1940, when Romania lost its territories. USSR was almost formally in the Axis. On the contrary, the Allies of 1940 (which were not including USSR) criticized the annexation of Bessarabia and Bucovina by USSR and did not recognize it.

[@HistoryHustle]

"point is USSR was allied to Germany " The USSR had a pact with Nazi Germany but was not part of the Axis, so Romania did NOT only lost territory to the Axis, als to the USSR that wasn't part of the Axis (despite having a non-aggression pact with Germany).

[@ionbrad6753]

@@HistoryHustle True, except in summer 1940 USSR was technically (yet not fully formally) in the Axis. Ribbentrop-Molotov was not just an innocent non-aggression pact, was a very aggressive alliance to split Europe between the two. They agreed and they swiftly implemented the agreement, Stalin stating the USSR friendship with Nazi Germany was "sealed with blood" (Polish blood, probably), Stalin actively negotiating a formal Axis membership, Stalin opposing the Allied fight against Nazi Germany, Stalin congratulating Hitler for his victory in France etc. In the same time (summer 1940), Romania was not in the Axis; on the contrary - it had alliances with UK & France. Romania was pushed into the Axis by the effects of Ribbentrop-Molotov pact (the Soviet aggression).

[@Whatisthisstupidfinghandle]

They should have called in sick and stayed home

[@HistoryHustle]

Fair point..

[@migueldeluis5507]

No surprise the song is "Tu Ardeal", not "Tu Chisinau"

[@HistoryHustle]

I see!

[@ionbrad6753]

It does not matter. Tu Ardeal is a Transilvanian song, not a Bucharest one.

[@deathmaster38]

We were not viewed as winners at the end of the war we were viewed as part of the losing side and had to pay a huge sum of money to the soviet union

[@HistoryHustle]

And Romania also came under the Soviet sphere of influence...

[@johnweerasinghe4139]

Apparently some claims to territory lost ( after Versailles and other post WW1 conflicts) are more valid than others. No one ever mentiones that the USSR took back territory lost from Belorussia after WW1 but always frame it as a cynical Russian land grab as part of the Molotov- Ribbentrop Pact

[@HistoryHustle]

Please explain.

[@porphyry17]

people criticise USSR not for necessarily retaking West Belarus and conquering East Poland but because they annexed Bessarabia and the Baltic countries.

[@HistoryHustle]

I understand.

[@nannunbgd]

Romanians in Transilvania whas majority of population 80%.

[@HistoryHustle]

Ok.

[@botatobias2539]

What's with this assumption that we needed any convincing? After what the Soviets did to us, why would anyone assume that we wanted to destroy them ANY LESS than the Nazis?

[@HistoryHustle]

Sometimes things seem simple but it's the detail that counts. That's why I made this video.

[@Haijwsyz51846]

I don't see the word "Romania" on the map you showed. When did Romania become a country as we know today? Thanks.

[@HistoryHustle]

Please see: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y2fQo2yYac99a9E

[@porphyry17]

Bug-Dniester would have done better in Romanian hands.

[@HistoryHustle]

What do you mean exactly?

[@porphyry17]

@@HistoryHustle you say it like i said it vaguely or something.

[@CesaristChannel]

@@porphyry17 i agree.

[@famcosovic8188]

Romanien traditionally goes with aggressors !

[@HistoryHustle]

Please explain.

[@entropy_of_principles]

Well, was very fortuit situation, we did not have any ally to sustain us except the Nazis, so, under the flag ''operation'': ''Order to croos the Prut river'' they ( mostly Admiral/ General Antonescu) give the controversial order, no ones knows except him where Romanian Army will stops.

[@renzzim4363]

Finaly somone say why romania join operation barabarosa also know for us the fight against bolsevism

[@HistoryHustle]

Ok 👍

[@dacicus090]

Hello guys. Well, its a complicated issue. First we were left alone by the allies to the mercy of Germany, then we were betrayed by Germany and Italy to give our lands to some of our neighbors, we lived under pressure because of the russians and hungarians attitude(also the bulgarians and serbs had some territorial dreams), we had a lot of corruption and that lead to poor equiped and trained armed forces... So its not an easy answer. We went agains the russians not just because of north Bucovina and Bassarabia, but also because they invaded us since 1770s, they brough only destruction, robbery, ethnic cleansing( also in Podolia and Odessa regions where the romanians were the plurality), because of the 1877 moment, 1917-1924...

[@ionbrad6753]

True except Serbs. Actually, Yugoslavia and Romania were allies (Little Entente). So, when Hitler attacked Yugoslavia, Romania was the only neighbor not willing to get a share, even though was invited by Hitler and there are majority-Romanian inhabited areas near the border.

[@dacicus090]

Yugoslavia wanted Timisoara in 1940 and Clisura Dunarii region.@@ionbrad6753

[@monkas1833]

Hey my friend over there thinks you are really cute *3:05** points at Mussolini*

[@HistoryHustle]

lol

[@famcosovic8188]

Russian captured 1944, the Romanian army, and from Stalimgrad turned to opposed direction to Berlin.

[@HistoryHustle]

Romania switched sides.

[@madalinaanton3253]

After 100 years we find Hungary's dismay about Trianon fascist in nature.

[@HistoryHustle]

Please explain.

[@HinduPAGANcowpissdrinkerRAKESH]

Barborossa was an ottoman pirate 🥸

[@HistoryHustle]

🏴‍☠️

[@HinduPAGANcowpissdrinkerRAKESH]

@Land Of Aryans lol you were peasants 😂

[@HinduPAGANcowpissdrinkerRAKESH]

@Land Of Aryans ottoman ruled middleast and europe for centuries

[@HinduPAGANcowpissdrinkerRAKESH]

@Land Of Aryans lol learn more geography! Balkan are is more european than east europe. Lots of Turkish have roman blood while iran is just a banal brown asian country .

[@HinduPAGANcowpissdrinkerRAKESH]

@Land Of Aryans dont use aryans. Aryans are white europeans not some blackk/brown iraninans lol

[@montique4445]

Yes. And the Axis did nothing wrong

[@HistoryHustle]

Except they did.

[@jokodihaynes419]

if i was Romania i would wait and see where the wind blow and join the allies instend of joining Germany who was using them as a meal ticket

[@alexandrub8786]

Czechia believed the western allies,Poland waited for the wester spearhead to Berlin. If Romania wouldn't have joined most possible to become another Yugoslavia.

[@HistoryHustle]

Romania did switch sides later.

[@vlogulsibian]

imediat after ribbentrop molotov viena nonagression pact russians start with crimes in basarabia and bucovina and bugeac anexed illegal bu ussr, also in transilvania hungarians start killing romanians and in bulgaria many romanians was obligated to move into romania. so yes we was figting against this 2 powers one time in one side one time in other side to destroy both of them.

[@samuelattas3864]

And then Romania joined Nato in 2004...it's always sunnier on the winning side..eh 🌞

[@eleonora78]

We will always be on the winner side because we know how to play

[@L2Xenta]

Have a bit more salt with that... lol.

[@HistoryHustle]

Lol

[@NCrist100]

Thanks to Churchill and Roosevelt, Russia-was allowed to invade Eastern Europe, including Romania. King Mihail was forced to abdicate. Prior to that, King Mihail did all he could to save Romania.

[@HistoryHustle]

I doubt if they could hve saved Romania from communism if they had wanted to...

[@NCrist100]

@@HistoryHustle It was because of Churchill and Roosevelt Russia invaded Eastern Europe. After WW2, Russia blockaded all road and rail networks leading to the Berlin airlift. As a move towards a peace agreement, Churchill and Roosevelt allowed Russia to invade Eastern Europe and Eastern Germany, leading to the building of the ‘Iron Curtain’. The Romanian Monarchy was forced to abdicate. Although communism collapsed and Russia withdrew, there are still communists in the Romanian government preventing the reinstatement of the Monarchy. I belong to a number of groups campaigning for the Monarchy to be reinstated. Unfortunately King Mihail died three years ago, but his successor is ready to be coronated. I have to fly out to Romania regularly, and am in touch with those involved.

[@kxenia7852]

I see what you did there. Still. No NATO in Moldova ❌

[@HistoryHustle]

?

[@serdradion4010]

No NATO in Ukraine sounds reasonable since Ukraine borders the Russia. Moldova does not border the Russia, it's much smaller in size, Russian territory is a funny narrow east river bank. Russian minority in the Baltic states is in NATO.

[@eleanorkett1129]

The Romanians also were prominent perpetrators of the holocaust. A black mark on their history. Thank you Stefan for this presentation of Romania’s tragic WWII history.

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for watching.

[@ionbrad6753]

... prominent perpetrators only in the territories where the Jews were seen as late colonists with bolshevik sympathies. The Sephardi Jews, older in the country and better integrated, suffered only stripping of civil rights but were protected against killings, deportaion to nazi camps etc. Here is a former president of Israel thanking for this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bZm6dJ2Ze9yjftU

[@papertoyss]

On Romania: Considering the pre-ww2 territorial claims *Bulgaria* (later Axis member - invaded, occupied and incorparated Greek lands to its territory), *Yugoslavia* (later Allies member - with confirmed plans of invading Greece to annex its northern region both prior and after ww2 - never managed to fulfill though it interfered the post ww2 Greek Civil War in order exactly to fulfill these plans) and *Albania* (later de facto Axis member - invaded and occupied Greek lands) had towards Greece, I would say that choosing the difficult path, choosing the right side of History as Greece did, always makes a mark on History itself. This is confirmed by also the fact that *Turkey* was negotiating with both sides its entrance to the War. And I say this bcoz Greece chose to protect its sovereignty by taking the right side, the difficult path, not by allying with the Devil. During war Greece raised a ferocious resistance against the German Nazis, the Italian Facists, the Bulgarian Komitadjis and the Albanian Chams simultaneously, and with an eye on Turkey, which, being on her back, was negociating with both sides of the War its entrance to ww2, *in exchange* of northeastern Greece (up to the city of Thessalonike and its harbor), half of the Aegean including the Dodekannese islands, Crete and Cyprus, *which is much what the Turks refer to as "Blue Homeland" today and since 2020,* a plan which they openly stated they plan to fulfill and openly threaten Greece everyday as we speak (this fact alone confirms the Turkish negociations in the WW2 period). Greece after WW2 faced something no other state had to face: a Civil War 1945(6)-1949. In order to *avoid becoming* yet another of USSR's puppet state and *furthermore/muchmore* to avoid USSR's plans for Greece's dismemberment (for the creation of a Balkan USSR, Moscow planned the annexing of northern greek regions), Greece had to go through a 5-year long civil war. The Greeks *had* to fight after WW2 for another 5 years, the same threat they were fighting during WW2, in order to remained consistent on being on the right side of History. Other States chose to declare war to Germany at the very end of the war. The only ones, ex-Axis, Im aware of to save themselves from this humiliation were the Italians, who indeed even as an Axis member, their resistance held down German divisions.

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for sharing your insights.

[@Nini-144]

The minorities in Great Romania were not ”significant” at all. Maximum 5%.

[@HistoryHustle]

I consider that as such.

[@ionbrad6753]

Nope. Even now there are like 6% Hungarians only. 3% Gypsies etc. But in interwar Romania, norther Bucovina was full of Ruthenians (or Ruthenized Romanians); many Russians in Bessarabia; Bulgarians; Gagauzes etc. Read the 1930 census results.

[@unboxing4319]

Antonescu was mentally ill and he led his own army to catastrophic losses and almost completely exterminated the Jewish community and Roma inside Bessarabia and Bukovina causing irreversible economic damage to both provinces having lost their greatest business men: the Jews; and their most useful pay per day workers: the roma community

[@ionbrad6753]

True! Same error made by the Russians: they had Germans (the perfect craftsmen, good organizers, scientists and businessmen) at Moscow's doors and instead of receiving them with open arms, they fought them and kicked them out the country!

[@unboxing4319]

@@ionbrad6753 the problem with the German community inside Russia was that, a great deal of them have helped the nazis in their maniacal strings of killing and destruction of the local communities while the german army occupied large parts of western Russia Naturally, the same German community had to be expelled for this behaviour

[@mammuchan8923]

Ah Romania, always ready to switch sides the keep their precious Transylvania and the Vampire mythology that goes with it😓😉

[@HistoryHustle]

🧛‍♂️👍

[@dandondera2618]

It is our land and our people here. We would kill (literally) for our land and our people. Why not? We did it in the past and we will do it again if we must.

[@mammuchan8923]

@@dandondera2618 of course, there’s that love of the land one can’t quite describe , it is visceral❤️

[@dandondera2618]

@@mammuchan8923 yeap, you describe it pretty well ;)

[@dand7763]

@@mammuchan8923 it's the heart of romanian nation , Dacia Kingdom (thracian culture) in the past ...2000 years ago...

[@GigiDuruDuru]

For a history teacher you should not talked uniformed or leave outside vital informations . Uniformed since Romania wasn’t considered a part of the victorious allied forces but a defeated nation forced to pay war reparations to the USSR for decades . So your statement was pretty dumb . Important fact left out , in Transilvania Bukovina and Basarabia 80% of population was Romanian , what a minority of a million Hungarians felt is pretty irrelevant don’t you think ?

[@HistoryHustle]

I refer to my sources. Besides, the part you refer to is not what the main focus of the video is. I did cover Bukovina in another video.