History of Romania - Independence and Kingdom of Romania

Independence and Kingdom of Romania

In an 1866 coup d'état, Cuza was exiled and replaced by Prince Karl of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen, who became known as Prince Carol of Romania. He was appointed as Domnitor—Prince—of the Principality of Romania, as Carol I.

In 1877, Romania declared independence from the Ottoman Empire.

During the Russo-Turkish War, 1877-78, Romania fought on the Russian side.

In the 1878 Treaty of Berlin, Romania was recognized as an independent state by the Great Powers. In return, Romania ceded three southern districts of Bessarabia to Russia "in exchange" for the access to the ports at the Black Sea and acquired Dobruja.

On 26 March 1881 Prince Carol I was proclaimed the first King of Romania.

In 1881, the principality was raised to a kingdom and Prince Carol became King Carol I.

The 1878–1914 period was one of stability and progress for Romania. During the Second Balkan War, Romania joined Greece, Serbia, Montenegro and Bulgaria against Turkey.

In the peace Treaty of Bucharest (1913) Romania gained Southern Dobrudja - the Quadrilateral (the Durostor and Caliacra counties).