Romanian Policy Towards Germany, 1936-40 (Studies in Russia and East Europe) - Hardcover

Haynes, R.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0333747275 ISBN 13: 9780333747278

Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan, 2000

Synopsis

This new book, based on archival research, contests the assumption that Romania remained pro-western in the late 1930s and only joined the Axis as a result of western negligence and German pressure. Instead, Germany was drawn by Romanian politicians into political and economic cooperation with Bucharest.

Romanian fears of Soviet expansion was an important factor in leading Romania to seek German protection. The Romanians also hoped that friendly relations would prevent Germany backing Hungarian revisionist claims on Romania. Simultaneously, the Romanians initiated economic plans to draw the Germans into helping build up Romania's industry, infrastructure and armed forces.

In the event, this proved Romania's undoing. Let down by her German protector, Romania was forced by Germany to cede territory to the Soviet Union, Hungary and Bulgaria. Only after this was Germany prepared to grant Romania the alliance she was seeking.

About this title

Review:

'This new account of Romanian policy towards Germany in the 1930s is a major contribution to our understanding of interwar diplomacy in Eastern Europe. By demonstrating, moreover, that Romanian politicians actively promoted rapprochement with Nazi Germany, Rebecca Haynes challenges the assumption that Romania was only a pawn in Great Power diplomacy. Her argument is convincing and is supported by a wealth of unpublished documents, drawn from both Romanian and German archives.' - Martyn Rady, General Editor, Slavonic and East European Review

'Dr Haynes's study represents the first analysis in English of Romanian policy towards Germany during the period September 1935-September 1940 and makes an invaluable contribution to the study of European diplomatic history during this period. It is based on a close study of both Romanian and German foreign ministry archives. Dr Haynes argues convincingly that Romania's drift towards the Axis was based on an assessment by King Carol and his ministers of the shifting balance of power in Europe during the late 1930's and was not due, as some Romanian scholars have argued, to the weakness of the west.' - Professor Dennis Deletant, School of Slavonic and East European Studies, University of London

'[Haynes] deserves our applause for her discoveries and her insights.' - Frederick Kellogg, American Historical Review

Synopsis:

This work, based on archival research, contests the assumptions that Romania remained pro-Western in the late 1930s and only joined the Axis as a result of Western negligence and German pressure. Instead, Germany was drawn by Romanian politicians into political and economic cooperation with Bucharest. In the event, this proved Romania's undoing. Let down by her German protector, she was forced to cede territory to the Soviet Union, Hungary and Bulgaria. Subsequently, Romania was allowed into the alliance she sought with Germany.

About this edition

• Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 0333747275
• ISBN 13: 9780333747278
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 213