In Depth
See Also

Bessarabia

Bessarabia or Bessarabiya was the name by which the Imperial Russia Russian Empire

The Russian Empire was a state that existed from 1721 until it was declared a republic in August 1917. ... 

 designated the eastern part of the principality of Moldavia Moldavia

Moldavia is a geographical and historical region in north-eastern Romania [i]. ... 

 ceded by the Ottoman Empire Ottoman Empire

The Ottoman Empire , is also sometimes known in the West [i] as the Turkish Empire. ... 

 to Russia in the aftermath of the Russo-Turkish War, 1806-1812. The remaining Moldavia united with Wallachia Wallachia

Wallachia is a historical [i] and geographical region of Romania [i]; it ... 

 in 1859 in what would become the Kingdom of Romania Kingdom of Romania

From 1859 [i] to 1877 [i], Romania [i] evolved from a personal union [i] of two vassal principalities under a ... 

. In 1918, Bessarabia declared its independence from Russia and at the end of World War I World War I

World War I, also known as the First World War, the Great War and "The War to End All War... 

, it united with the Kingdom of Romania. USSR Soviet Union

The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , more commonly known as the Soviet Union, was a Communist state [i] ... 

 annexed Bessarabia in the beginning of World War II World War II

World War II, or the Second World War, was a worldwide [i] conflict [i] fought betwe ... 

  and again at the end of World War II, and reorganised it as Moldavian SSR Moldavian SSR

The Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic was a constituent republic of the Soviet Union [i] from 1940 to ... 

, by adding the Moldavian ASSR Moldavian ASSR

Moldavian ASSR or Moldovan ASSR was an autonomous region of the Ukrainian SSR [i] between 12 Octob ... 

 and transferring its southern and northern parts to Ukrainian SSR Ukrainian SSR

The Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic a.k.a.... 

.

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Timeline

1290   The Mongol Empire Mongol Empire

The Mongol Empire was the largest contiguous [i] empire [i] in world history [i], c ... 

 invades the Bessarabia region of Moldavia Moldavia

Moldavia is a geographical and historical region in north-eastern Romania [i]. ... 

.

1812   Russian Field Marshal Mikhail Kutuzov Mikhail Illarionovich Kutuzov

Prince [i] Mikhail Illarionovich Golenishchev-Kutuzov]] [i], or 5th September 1745 - 16th April 1813 (o.s.) [i] ... 

 signs the Treaty of Bucharest, ending the Russo-Turkish War, 1806-1812 and making Bessarabia a part of Imperial Russia Russian Empire

The Russian Empire was a state that existed from 1721 until it was declared a republic in August 1917. ... 

.

1918   December 1 — Proclamation of Union of Alba Iulia Alba Iulia

ame=Alba Iulia| coa_pic=Coa_AlbaIulia_RO.jpg| ... 

. Following the March 27 incorporation of Bessarabia and Bucovina Bukovina

Bukovina is a historical region on the northern slopes of the northeastern Carpathian Mountains [i] and ... 

, Transylvania Transylvania

Transylvania is a historical region [i] in the center of Romania [i]. ... 

 unites with Romania Romania

Romania: is a country in Southeastern Europe [i]. ... 

.



Encyclopedia



Bessarabia or Bessarabiya was the name by which the Imperial Russia Russian Empire

The Russian Empire was a state that existed from 1721 until it was declared a republic in August 1917.
... 

 designated the eastern part of the principality of Moldavia Moldavia

Moldavia is a geographical and historical region in north-eastern Romania [i]. ... 

 ceded by the Ottoman Empire Ottoman Empire

The Ottoman Empire , is also sometimes known in the West [i] as the Turkish Empire. ... 

 to Russia in the aftermath of the Russo-Turkish War, 1806-1812. The remaining Moldavia united with Wallachia Wallachia

Wallachia is a historical [i] and geographical region of Romania [i]; it ... 

 in 1859 in what would become the Kingdom of Romania Kingdom of Romania

From 1859 [i] to 1877 [i], Romania [i] evolved from a personal union [i] of two vassal principalities under a... 

. In 1918, Bessarabia declared its independence from Russia and at the end of World War I World War I

World War I, also known as the First World War, the Great War and "The War to End All War... 

, it united with the Kingdom of Romania. USSR Soviet Union

The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , more commonly known as the Soviet Union, was a Communist state [i] ... 

 annexed Bessarabia in the beginning of World War II World War II

World War II, or the Second World War, was a worldwide [i] conflict [i] fought betwe ... 

  and again at the end of World War II, and reorganised it as Moldavian SSR Moldavian SSR

The Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic was a constituent republic of the Soviet Union [i] from 1940 to ... 

, by adding the Moldavian ASSR Moldavian ASSR

Moldavian ASSR or Moldovan ASSR was an autonomous region of the Ukrainian SSR [i] between 12 Octob ... 

 and transferring its southern and northern parts to Ukrainian SSR Ukrainian SSR

The Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic a.k.a.... 

. In 1991 the Moldavian SSR declared independence from USSR as Republic of Moldova Moldova

The Republic of Moldova is a landlocked [i] country in eastern Europe [i], located between Romania [i] ... 

.

Geography


In the administrative system of the Russian Empire Bessarabia was a region of Central Europe Central Europe

Central Europe is the region [i] lying between the variously and vaguely defined areas of Eastern [i] ... 

 comprising most of current-day Moldova Moldova

The Republic of Moldova is a landlocked [i] country in eastern Europe [i], located between Romania [i] ... 

 and additional districts that are now in Ukraine Ukraine

Ukraine is a country [i] in Eastern Europe [i]. ... 

. It was bounded by the Dniester Dniester

The Dniester is a river in Eastern Europe [i]. ... 

 river to the north and east, the Prut Prut River

The Prut, or Pruth river is 953 km [i] long, originating in the Carpathian Mountains [i] ... 

 to the west and the lower Danube Danube

The Danube is the longest river [i] of the European Union [i] and Europe [i]'s second-longest .
... 

 river and the Black Sea Black Sea

The Black Sea is an inland sea [i] between southeastern Europe [i] and Anatolia [i] that is actually a d ... 

 to the south. It had approximately 17,600 sq mi . The area has mostly hilly plains with flat steppes Steppe

In physical geography [i], a steppe , pronounced in English as step, is a plain [i] without tree [i] ... 

, it is very fertile for agriculture, and it also has some lignite deposits and stone quarries. People living in the area grow sugar beet Sugar beet

Sugar beet , a member of the Chenopodiaceae [i] subfamily and the Amaranthaceae [i] family, is a plant w ... 

s, sunflower Sunflower

The sunflower is an annual plant [i] in the family Asteraceae [i], with a large flower head . ... 

s, wheat Wheat

Wheat is a grass [i] that is cultivated worldwide. ... 

, maize Maize

Maize , also known as corn, is a cereal [i] grain [i] that was domesticated in Mesoamerica [i]. ... 

, tobacco Tobacco

Tobacco refers to a genus of broad-leafed plants of the nightshade [i] family indigenous to North [i] ... 

, wine grapes and fruit Fruit

The term fruit has different meanings depending on context.... 

s. They also raise sheep Domestic sheep

The domestic sheep , the most common species of the sheep genus , is a woolly ruminant [i] quadruped [i]... 

 and cattle Cattle

Cattle are domesticated [i] ungulate [i]s, a member of the subfamily [i] Bovinae [i] of t ... 

. Currently, the main industry in the region is agricultural processing.

The region's main cities are Chisinau Chisinau

name = Chisinau
|map = Moldadm C.png
... 

 , the capital of Moldova, Izmail Izmail

[i] of south-western [[Ukraine]... 

, Bilhorod-Dnistrovs'kyi Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi

Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi is a city [i] situated on the right bank of the Dniester Liman [i] in the Odessa Oblast [i] ... 

 . Other towns of administrative or historical importance include: Hotin Khotyn

Khotyn is a city [i] in the Chernivtsi Oblast [i] of western Ukraine [i], and is the administrative center [i] ... 

, Lipcani Lipcani

Lipcani is a small town in Moldova [i], located in the Bessarabia [i] region close to where the borders ... 

, Briceni, Soroca, Balti, Orhei, Ungheni, Tighina Tighina

Tighina or Bender is a city in Transnistria [i], a breakaway region of Moldova [i]. ... 

 , Cahul, Reni and Kilia .

History

The name Bessarabia derives from the Wallachian Wallachia

Wallachia is a historical [i] and geographical region of Romania [i]; it ... 

 family of Basarab, who once ruled over the southern part of the area. The name originally applied only to the southern part of the territory, which corresponds in size with the modern day Budjak Budjak

Budjak or Budzhak is the southern part of Bessarabia [i], now part of the Odessa Oblast [i] of Ukraine [i]... 

. The Turks were the first to call it "Besarabya Budjak

Budjak or Budzhak is the southern part of Bessarabia [i], now part of the Odessa Oblast [i] of Ukraine [i]... 

", which they began doing when they gained control of the area in 1484.

From the 15th 15th century

As a means of recording the passage of time [i], the 15th century was that century [i] which lasted from ... 

 to the 20th 20th century

The 20th century started on 1 January [i] 1901 [i] and ended on 31 December [i] 2000 [i], according to t... 

 centuries, the region passed successively to: Moldavia Moldavia

Moldavia is a geographical and historical region in north-eastern Romania [i]. ... 

, the Ottoman Empire Ottoman Empire

The Ottoman Empire , is also sometimes known in the West [i] as the Turkish Empire. ... 

 , Russia Russia

Russia , also the Russian Federation , is a country [i] that stretches over a vast expanse of Eurasia [i] ... 

, Romania Romania

Romania: is a country in Southeastern Europe [i]. ... 

, the Soviet Union Soviet Union

The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , more commonly known as the Soviet Union, was a Communist state [i] ... 

, Ukraine Ukraine

Ukraine is a country [i] in Eastern Europe [i]. ... 

 and Moldova Moldova

The Republic of Moldova is a landlocked [i] country in eastern Europe [i], located between Romania [i] ... 

.

Ancient times

The territory of Bessarabia was inhabited by people for thousands of years. The Indo-European invasion occurred around the year 2000 BC. The original inhabitants were Cimmerians Cimmerians

The Cimmerians were ancient equestrian nomad [i]s who, according to Herodotus [i], originally inhabited ... 

, and after them came Scythians Scythia

Scythia comprised an area in Eurasia [i] whose location and extent varied over time. ... 

. The people who settled in this area would later become the Dacia Dacia

Dacia, in ancient geography the land of the Daci [i], named by the ancient Greeks Getae [i], was a large... 

ns/Getae, Thyrsagetae these being Thracian Thracians

Thracians in an ethnic sense refers to various ancient peoples who spoke Dacian [i] and ... 

 tribes. In the 7th century BC, Greek Ancient Greece

Ancient Greece is the period in Greek history [i] which lasted for around one thousand years and ended w ... 

 settlers established colonies in the region, mostly along the Black Sea Black Sea

The Black Sea is an inland sea [i] between southeastern Europe [i] and Anatolia [i] that is actually a d ... 

 coast and traded with the locals. Also, Celts settled in the southern parts of Bessarabia, their main city being Aliobrix.

The first state that included the whole of Bessarabia was the Dacia Dacia

Dacia, in ancient geography the land of the Daci [i], named by the ancient Greeks Getae [i], was a large... 

n kingdom of Burebista Burebista

Burebista, the greatest king of Dacia [i], ruled between 70 BC [i] and 44 BC [i].
... 

, a contemporary of Julius Caesar Julius Caesar

Gaius Julius Caesar , July 12 [i] or July 13 [i], 100 BC [i] – March 15 [i], 44 BC [i]) was a Roman [i] ... 

, in the 1st century BC. After his death, the state was divided into smaller pieces and was only unified in the Dacian kingdom of Decebalus Decebalus

Decebalus was a Dacia [i]n king.
... 

 in the 1st century AD. Although this kingdom was defeated by the Roman Empire Roman Empire

The Roman Empire was a phase of the ancient Roman [i] civilization characterized by an autocratic [i] ... 

 in 106, Bessarabia was never part of it and the Free Dacians resisted the Roman conquerors. The Romans built defensive earthen walls in Southern Bessarabia to defend the Scythia Minor Scythia Minor

Scythia Minor, "Lesser Scythia" was in ancient times the region surrounded by the Danube [i] at the nort... 

 province against invasions.

The Roman Empire romanized parts of Dacia and some of the local tribes adopted the Latin language Latin

Latin is an ancient Indo-European language [i] originally spoken in Latium [i], ... 

 and customs. According to the theory of the Daco-Roman continuity the Latin culture and the Romance language would later spread to encompass the cultural area of the ancient Dacians, including the region of Bessarabia. Some historians deny this and the continuity of Latin-speaking people north of the Danube. For more, see Origin of Romanians Origin of Romanians

The Romanians [i] are a nation speaking Romanian [i], a Romance language [i] ... 

.

In 270, the Roman authorities began to withdraw their forces from Dacia, due to the invading Goths Goths

The Goths were an East Germanic tribe [i] who from the 2nd century [i] settled Scythia [i], Dacia [i] a... 

 and Carps. The Goths Goths

The Goths were an East Germanic tribe [i] who from the 2nd century [i] settled Scythia [i], Dacia [i] a... 

, a Germanic tribe, poured into the Roman Empire through the southern part of Bessarabia , which due to its geographic position and characteristic , was sweped by various nomadic tribes. From the 5th century it was overrun by the Huns Huns

The Huns were a confederation of Eurasian [i] tribes, most likely of diverse origin with ... 

, the Avars Eurasian Avars

The Eurasian Avars - known as Zhuan Zhuan [i] to the Chinese [i] - were a nomadic people of ... 

, the Bulgars Bulgars

[i] inhabited the [[steppe]... 

. The Roman influence did not die out until 567.

The Age of migrations

From the 3rd century 3rd century

The 3rd century is the period from 201 [i] - 300 [i] in accordance with the Julian calendar [i] in the Christian Era [i]... 

 until the 11th century 11th century

As a means of recording the passage of time [i], the 11th century was that century [i] which lasted from ... 

, the region was frequently invaded by Goths Goths

The Goths were an East Germanic tribe [i] who from the 2nd century [i] settled Scythia [i], Dacia [i] a... 

, Huns Huns

The Huns were a confederation of Eurasian [i] tribes, most likely of diverse origin with ... 

, Avars Eurasian Avars

The Eurasian Avars - known as Zhuan Zhuan [i] to the Chinese [i] - were a nomadic people of ... 

, Slavs Slavic peoples

The Slavic peoples are a linguistic and ethnic branch of Indo-European people [i]s, living mainly in Europe [i] ... 

, Magyars Hungarian people

Hungarians are an ethnic group [i] primarily associated with Hungary [i].
... 

, Pechenegs Pechenegs

The Pechenegs or Patzinaks were a semi-nomadic [i] Turkic [i] people of the Central Asia [i]... 

, Cumans Cumans

Cumans, also called Polovtsy, Polovtsians, or the Anglicized [i] Polovetsian, is a Western European [i] ... 

 and Mongols Mongols

Mongols are an ethnic group [i] that originated in what is now Mongolia [i], Russia [i], and China [i] ... 

. The territory of Bessarabia was encompased in dozens of ephemeral kingdoms which were disbanded when another wave of migrants came. Those centuries were characterized by a terrible state of insecurity and mass movement of people. The period was later known as the "Dark Ages Dark Ages

In historiography [i] the phrase the Dark Ages is most commonly known in relation to the Europe [i]an Early Middle Ages [i] ... 

" of Europe.

In 561, the Avars Eurasian Avars

The Eurasian Avars - known as Zhuan Zhuan [i] to the Chinese [i] - were a nomadic people of ... 

 captured Bessarabia and executed the local ruler Mesamer. Then, in 582, Kuturgur Hun Bulgars Bulgars

[i] inhabited the [[steppe]... 

 settled in southern Bessarabia and northern Dobruja Dobruja

Dobruja, or sometimes Dobrudja, is an informal region shared by Bulgaria [i] and Romania [i], loca ... 

, from which they moved to Moesia Moesia

Moesia is an ancient province situated in the areas of modern Serbia [i] and Bulgaria [i]. ... 

 under pressure from the Magyars Hungarian people

Hungarians are an ethnic group [i] primarily associated with Hungary [i].
... 

 and formed the nascent region of Bulgaria Bulgaria

Bulgaria , officially the Republic of Bulgaria , is a country in Southeastern Europe [i].... 

. By the 6th Century 6th century

The 6th century is the period from 501 [i] - 600 [i] in accordance with the Julian calendar [i] in the Christian Era [i]... 

, Slavs started to come to the region and establish settlements. These peoples came mostly as small, strong armies of mounted warriors, and did not leave notable traces. In the 7th century, followed the Bessians, a Thracian tribe.

With the rise of the Khazars Khazars

The Khazars were a semi-nomadic [i] Turkic people [i] from Central Asia [i], many of whom convert ... 

' state in the east, the invasions began to diminish and it was possible to create larger states. Between the 9th 9th century

As a means of recording the passage of time [i] the 9th century was that century [i] that lasted from 801 [i] ... 

 and 13th centuries 13th century

As a means of recording the passage of time [i], the 13th century was that century [i] which lasted from ... 

, Bessarabia was part of the Bolohoveni  and Brodnici  voevodates, which were Vlach Vlachs

Vlachs is a blanket term covering several modern Latin peoples [i] descending from the Latinised populat ... 

  early middle-age formations. A specific group, which did not retreat to mountain regions at the time of the Tatar invasions, was called in some late middle-age chronicles the Tigheci "republic". It was situated near the modern town of Cahul in the southwest of Bessarabia.

The last great scale invasions were those of the Mongols and Tartars of 1241, 1290 and 1343, a small group of whom settled around the present day town of Orhei until they were pushed out in the 1390s.



Principality of Moldavia


After the 1343 and the defeat of Mongols, the region was included in the principality Principality

A principality is a monarchical [i] feudatory or sovereign state [i], ruled or reigned over by ... 

 of Moldavia Moldavia

Moldavia is a geographical and historical region in north-eastern Romania [i]. ... 

, which by 1392 established control over the fortresses of Cetatea Alba Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi

Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi is a city [i] situated on the right bank of the Dniester Liman [i] in the Odessa Oblast [i] ... 

 and Chilia, its eastern border becoming the river Dnister Dniester

The Dniester is a river in Eastern Europe [i]. ... 

 .

In the latter part of the 14th century 14th century

As a means of recording the passage of time [i], the 14th century was that century [i] which lasted from ... 

, the southern part of the region was for several decades part of Wallachia Wallachia

Wallachia is a historical [i] and geographical region of Romania [i]; it ... 

. The main dynasty of Walachia was called Basarab, from which the current name of the region originated.

In the 15th century 15th century

As a means of recording the passage of time [i], the 15th century was that century [i] which lasted from ... 

, the entire region was a part of the principality of Moldavia. Stefan cel Mare Stephen III of Moldavia

Stephen III of Moldavia or Stephen Musat III, also known as Stephen the Great was Prince [i]... 

  ruled between 1457 and 1504, a period of nearly 50 years during which he won 32 battles defending his country against the Ottomans and Tatars, while losing only two. During this period, after each victory, he raised a monastery or a church close to the battlefield honoring Christianity. Many of these battlefields, churches, as well as old fortresses are situated in Bessarabia.

In 1484, the Turks invaded and captured Chilia and Cetatea Alba Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi

Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi is a city [i] situated on the right bank of the Dniester Liman [i] in the Odessa Oblast [i] ... 

 , and annexed the shoreline southern part of Bessarabia, which was then divided into two sanjaks of the Ottoman Empire. In 1538, the Ottomans annexed more Bessarabian land in the south as far as Tighina Tighina

Tighina or Bender is a city in Transnistria [i], a breakaway region of Moldova [i]. ... 

, while the central and northern parts of Bessarabia, as part of the principality of Moldavia Moldavia

Moldavia is a geographical and historical region in north-eastern Romania [i]. ... 

 was formally a vassal of the Ottoman Empire.

Between 1711 and 1812, the Russian Empire occupied the region five times during wars between Ottoman Empire Ottoman Empire

The Ottoman Empire , is also sometimes known in the West [i] as the Turkish Empire. ... 

, Russia Russia

Russia , also the Russian Federation , is a country [i] that stretches over a vast expanse of Eurasia [i] ... 

, and Austria Austria

Austria is a landlocked [i] country in central Europe [i]. ... 

. Between 1820 and 1846, the Gagauz Gagauz people

The Gagauz are a minority Turkic people [i] in southern Moldova [i] and southwestern Ukraine [i] that n ... 

 tribes migrated to the Russian Empire via the Danube, after living many oppressive years under Ottoman rule, and settled in southern Bessarabia. Turkic-speaking tribes of the Nogai Horde also inhabited the Budjak Budjak

Budjak or Budzhak is the southern part of Bessarabia [i], now part of the Odessa Oblast [i] of Ukraine [i]... 

 Region of southern Bessarabia from the 16th to 18th centuries, but were totally driven out prior to 1812.

Annexation by the Russian Empire

By the Treaty of Bucharest of May 28, 1812 — concluding the Russo-Turkish War, 1806-1812 — the Ottoman Empire Ottoman Empire

The Ottoman Empire , is also sometimes known in the West [i] as the Turkish Empire. ... 

 ceded the Eastern half of the Principality of Moldavia to the Russian Empire Russian Empire

The Russian Empire was a state that existed from 1721 until it was declared a republic in August 1917.
... 

. That region was then called Bessarabia. Prior to this year, the name was used only for approximately its southern one quarter, which as stated before was already under direct Ottoman control ever since 1484.

In 1814, the first German settlers arrived and mainly settled in the southern parts and Bessarabian Bulgarians became settling in the region, founding towns such as Bolhrad Bolhrad

Bolhrad is a small city [i] in the Odessa Oblast [i] of south-western Ukraine [i]. ... 

.

Administratively, Bessarabia became an oblast Oblast

Oblast refers to a subnational entity [i] in some countries. ... 

of the Russian Empire effective 1818 and a guberniya effective 1873.

By the Treaty of Adrianople Treaty of Adrianople

The Peace Treaty of Adrianople, concluded the Russo-Turkish War, 1828-1829 [i] between Russia [i] ... 

 that concluded the Russo-Turkish War of 1828-1829 Russo-Turkish War, 1828-1829

The Russo-Turkish War of 1828-1829 was sparked by the Greeks' struggle for independence [i]... 

 the whole delta of Danube Danube

The Danube is the longest river [i] of the European Union [i] and Europe [i]'s second-longest .
... 

 was added to Bessarabian Oblast.

At the end of the Crimean War Crimean War

The Crimean War lasted from 28 March [i] 1853 [i] until 1 April [i] 1856 [i] and was fought between Imperial Russia [i] ... 

, in 1856, by the Treaty of Paris, two districts of southern Bessarabia were returned to Moldavia, the Russian Empire lost access to the Danube Danube

The Danube is the longest river [i] of the European Union [i] and Europe [i]'s second-longest .
... 

 river.

In 1859, Moldavia Moldavia

Moldavia is a geographical and historical region in north-eastern Romania [i]. ... 

 and Wallachia Wallachia

Wallachia is a historical [i] and geographical region of Romania [i]; it ... 

 united as the Kingdom of Romania Kingdom of Romania

From 1859 [i] to 1877 [i], Romania [i] evolved from a personal union [i] of two vassal principalities under a... 

 in 1866, including the Southern part of Bessarabia.

The Romanian War of Independence was fought in 1877-1878, with the help of the Russian Empire as an ally. Although the treaty of alliance between Romania and the Russian Empire specified that the Russian Empire would respect the territorial integrity of Romania and not claim any part of Romania at the end of the war , by the Treaty of Berlin Treaty of Berlin, 1878

The Treaty of Berlin was the final Act of the Congress of Berlin [i], by which the United Kingdom [i], Austria-Hungary [i] ... 

, the Southern part of Bessarabia was again annexed by Russia.

Incited by the authorities, the Kishinev pogrom Kishinev pogrom

The Kishinev pogrom was a pogrom [i] that took place in Kishinev [i], then part of the Bessarabia [i]... 

 took place in Bessarabia on April 6, 1903. It was the first state-inspired action against Jews in the 20th century 20th century

The 20th century started on 1 January [i] 1901 [i] and ended on 31 December [i] 2000 [i], according to t... 

; 47 or 49 Jews were killed, 92 severely wounded and 700 houses destroyed.

After the Russian Revolution Russian Revolution of 1905

The Russia [i]n Revolution of 1905 [i] was an empire-wide [i] spasm of both anti-governme ... 

, a Romanian nationalist movement started to develop in Bessarabia. In the chaos brought by the Russian revolution of October 1917, a National Council was established in Bessarabia, with 120 members elected from Bessarabia and 10 elected from Transnistria .

On January 14, 1918, during the unorderly retreat of two Russian divisions from the Romanian front, Chisinau is sacked. The Rumcherod Committee proclaimed itself the supreme power in Bessarabia. The Sfatul Tarii, unable to call up any armed forces, calls upon the Romanian government for help. On 16 January a Romanian division clears Chisinau, and the following day Tighina Tighina

Tighina or Bender is a city in Transnistria [i], a breakaway region of Moldova [i]. ... 

 on the shore of the river Dnister. The three-day Soviet power in Bessarabia ends.

Ten days later, on January 24, 1918, Sfatul Tarii declared Bessarabia's independence as the Moldavian Democratic Republic.



On April 9, 1918 : the Bessarabian legislature voted in favor of unification with Romania with 86 votes in favor, 3 against and 36 abstentions. The union was confirmed by Romania's Western allies in the Treaty of Paris .

Part of Romania



A Provisional Workers' & Peasants' Government of Bessarabia was founded on May 5, 1919, in exile at Odessa Odessa

name = Odessa
| coa = Odesa emblem.gif
... 

, by the Bolshevik Bolshevik

Bolsheviks were members of the Bolshevik faction of the Marxist [i] Russian Social-Democratic Labour Party [i]... 

s.

On May 11, 1919, the Bessarabian Soviet Socialist Republic was proclaimed as an autonomous part of Russian SFSR, but was abolished by the military forces of Poland Poland

Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country located in Central Europe [i]. ... 

 and France France

France, officially the French Republic, is a country [i] whose metropolitan territory [i] ... 

 in September 1919 . After the victory of Bolshevist Russia in Russian Civil War Russian Civil War

The Russian Civil War was fought from 1917 to 1922.... 

, the Ukrainian SSR Ukrainian SSR

The Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic a.k.a.... 

 was created in 1922, and in 1924, a strip of Ukrainian land on the left bank of the Dniester River Dniester

The Dniester is a river in Eastern Europe [i]. ... 

 was declared to be the Moldovan Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic Moldavian ASSR

Moldavian ASSR or Moldovan ASSR was an autonomous region of the Ukrainian SSR [i] between 12 Octob ... 

.

At the Paris Peace Conference of 1919 Paris Peace Conference, 1919

The Paris Peace Conference of 1919 was a conference organized by the victors of World War I [i] to negot ... 

, the union with Romania was officially recognized by the United States, France, the United Kingdom and other Western countries. Soviet Russia did not accept the union.

World War II

The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact

The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, also known as the Hitler-Stalin Pact or Ribbentrop-Molotov Pact... 

 was signed on August 23, 1939. By Article 4 of the secret Annex to the Treaty, Bessarabia fell within the Soviet interest zone Occupation of Bessarabia by the Soviet Union

On June 28, 1940 Bessarabia [i] and northern Bucovina [i] were occupied by the Soviet Union [i]. ... 

.

On June 26, 1940, as a consequence of the terms of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact

The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, also known as the Hitler-Stalin Pact or Ribbentrop-Molotov Pact... 

, the USSR issued an ultimatum note that required Romania to cede Bessarabia and northern Bukovina, and evacuate in four days . The two provinces had an area of 20,000 square miles and they were inhabited by about 3.75 million people, mostly Romanians.
Two days later, the Romanian Romania

Romania: is a country in Southeastern Europe [i]. ... 

 administration started to retreat from the provinces. Soviet troops entered Bessarabia and incorporated it into the USSR, which divided it between the Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic Moldavian SSR

The Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic was a constituent republic of the Soviet Union [i] from 1940 to ... 

 and the Ukrainian SSR Ukrainian SSR

The Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic a.k.a.... 

. Bessarabia's northern and southern districts were exchanged with parts of Transnistria Transnistria

Transnistria, officially Pridnestrovskaya Moldavskaya Respublika is a region of the Republic of Moldova [i] ... 

 . Following the Soviet takeover, many Bessarabians were executed or deported to Siberia Siberia

Siberia is a vast region of Russia [i] constituting almost all of Northern Asia [i]. ... 

 and Kazakhstan Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan, also spelled Kazakstan, , officially the Republic of Kazakhstan, is a country th... 

.

On August 2, 1940, a Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic was established on the territorries not given to Ukrainian SSR.

The Germans of Bessarabia were offered resettlement to Germany, in accordance with the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact in September 1940. Fearing Soviet oppression, almost all Germans agreed. Most of them, among them the parents of the current German President Horst Köhler Horst Köhler

Horst Khler is the current President of Germany [i]. ... 

 were resettled to the newly annexed Polish territories. Those who did not leave were often slaughtered while fleeing west in their wagons from the Red Army.

On June 22nd 1941 the Axis Axis Powers

The Axis Powers were those nations opposed to the Allies [i] during the Second World War [i] ... 

 invasion of the Soviet Union commenced with Operation Barbarossa Operation Barbarossa

Operation Barbarossa was the codename [i] for Nazi Germany [i]'s invasion of the Soviet Union [i] ... 

, accompanied by Romanian troops. The Soviets employed the scorched earth Scorched earth

A scorched earth policy is a military tactic [i] which involves destroying anything tha ... 

 tactic during their forced retreat from Bessarabia and transported all movable goods to Russia by railway. At the end of July, after a year of Soviet occupation, the region was once again under Romanian control.

Even as the military operation was still in progress, Romanian troops with participation of the local populace started pogroms Pogrom

Pogrom is a form of riot [i] directed against a particular group, whether ethnic, religious or other... 

 against Jews of Bessarabia, resulting in thousands dead. One apparent cause for the hatred towards Jews was created by blaming them with siding with the Soviets, whom they regarded as liberators during 1940, because of Hitler's anti-Semitic eradication policy. At the same time the notorious SS Schutzstaffel

The Schutzstaffel , abbreviated
... 

 Einsatzgruppen Einsatzgruppen

Einsatzgruppen were paramilitary [i] groups operated by the SS [i] before and during World War II [i]. ... 

  was committing executions of Jews under the pretext that they were spies, saboteurs, communist Communism

Communism is an ideology that seeks to establish a future classless [i], stateless [i] ... 

s. The political solution of the "Jewish Question" was apparently seen by the Romanian dictator Marshal Ion Antonescu Ion Antonescu

Ion Victor Antonescu was the prime minister and conducator [i] of Romania [i] during World War II [i] ... 

 more in expulsion rather than extermination. The Jewish population was initially moved to ghettos Ghetto

A ghetto is an area where people from a specific racial or ethnic background or united in a given culture [i] ... 

 or concentration camps Internment

"Internment" is the imprisonment or confinement of people, commonly in large groups, without due process... 

, in order to be deported 1941/42 in death marches into the Romania-occupied Transnistria Transnistria

Transnistria, officially Pridnestrovskaya Moldavskaya Respublika is a region of the Republic of Moldova [i] ... 

, which, unlike Greater Romania Greater Romania

Greater Romania generally refers to the territory of Romania [i] in the years between the First [i] ... 

, was partially controlled by the SS.
After three years of relative peace, the German-Soviet front returned 1944 to the land border on the Dniester Dniester

The Dniester is a river in Eastern Europe [i]. ... 

. On August 20 1944 the ca. 900,000 men strong Red Army began a major summer offensive codenamed Operation Iassy-Kishinev. The Soviets overran Bessarabia in a two-pronged offensive within five days. In pocket battles at Chisinau Chisinau

name = Chisinau
|map = Moldadm C.png
... 

 and Sarata the German 6th Army of ca. 650.000, newly reformed after the Battle of Stalingrad Battle of Stalingrad

The Battle of Stalingrad was a turning point in World War II [i] and is considered the bloodiest battle in human history [i] ... 

, was obliterated. Simultaneously with the success of the Russian attack, Romania broke the military alliance with Hitler and switched fronts. On August 23 1944 the marshal Ion Antonescu was deposed and King Michael I reinstated in power.

Part of the Soviet Union


The Soviet Union reannexed the region in 1944 and the Soviet military occupied Romania until 1958 and imposed a communist government in Bucharest by 1947, which was friendly and obedient towards Moscow. The Romanian communist regime did not raise the matter of Bessarabia and Bukovina in its diplomatic relations with the Soviet Union.

Between 1969 and 1971, a clandestine National Patriotic Front was established by several young intellectuals in Chisinau, totalling over 100 members, vowing to fight for the establishment of a Moldavian Democratic Republic, its scision from the Soviet Union and union with Romania.

In December 1971, following an informative note from Ion Stanescu, the President of the Council of State Security of the Romanian Socialist Republic, to Yuri Andropov Yuri Andropov

Yuri Vladimirovich Andropov was a Soviet [i] politician and General Secretary [i]... 

, the chief of KGB, three of the leaders of the National Patriotic Front, Alexandru Usatiuc-Bulgar, Gheorghe Ghimpu and Valeriu Graur, as well as a forth person, Alexandru Soltoianu, the leader of a similar clandestine movement in northern Bukovina Bukovina

Bukovina is a historical region on the northern slopes of the northeastern Carpathian Mountains [i] and ... 

 , were arrested and later sentenced to long prison terms.

Rise of the Independent Moldova

With the weakening of the Soviet Union, on February 1988, the first non-sanctioned demonstrations were held in Chisinau. At first pro-Perestroika, they soon turned anti-government and demanded official status for the Moldavian language instead of the Russian language.

On August 31, 1989, following a 600,000-strong demonstration in Chisinau four days earlier, Moldavian became the official language of Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic. This was not implemented for many years.

In 1990, the first free elections were held for the Parliament, with the opposition Frontul Popular  all but winning them. A government led by Mircea Druc, one of the leaders of Frontul Popular, was formed. The Moldavian SSR becomes SSR Moldova, and later the Republic of Moldova.

The Republic of Moldova Moldova

The Republic of Moldova is a landlocked [i] country in eastern Europe [i], located between Romania [i] ... 

 became independent in 1991 and its boundaries remained unchanged.

Population

The population before World War II World War II

World War II, or the Second World War, was a worldwide [i] conflict [i] fought betwe ... 

 consisted of Moldavians , Ukrainians Ukrainians

Ukrainians are an East Slavic [i] ethnic group [i] primarily living in Ukraine [i]. ... 

, Bulgarians Bulgarians

The Bulgarians are a South Slavic [i] people generally associated with Bulgaria [i] and the ... 

, Germans Germans

Germans are defined as an ethnic group [i], or Volk [i], in the sense of sharing a common German culture [i] ... 

, Gagauz Gagauz people

The Gagauz are a minority Turkic people [i] in southern Moldova [i] and southwestern Ukraine [i] that n ... 

, Ruthenians and Jews Jew

Jews are followers of Judaism [i] or, more generally, members of the Jewish people , an ethno [i]... 

. Over two-thirds of the population were Moldavians/Romanians.

  • 1889:1,628,867.
  • 1897:1,936,392.
  • 1970: 69% of Bessarabia's population were Romanians and 98% of them declared Moldavian as their native language.
  • 1989: There were 88,419 Bessarabian Bulgarians according to official data from Republic of Moldova
  • 1992: 4,305 immigrants to Israel from the Republic of Moldova constituted 7.1 percent of all the immigrants to Israel from the former U.S.S.R. in this year.
  • 2004: There were 65,072 Bessarabian Bulgarians according to the census not including Bulgarians in Transnistria.


Russian Census 1817,
  • 83.848 Romanian families
  • 6.000 Ruthenian families
  • 3.826 Jewish families
  • 1.200 Lipovan Lipovans

    Lipovans or Lippovans are the Old Believers [i], mostly of Russian [i] ethnic origi ... 

     families
  • 640 Greek families
  • 530 Armenian families
  • 241 Bulgarian families
  • 241 Gagauz families


Russian Census 1856,
  • 736.000 Romanians
  • 119.000 Ukrainians
  • 79.000 Jews
  • 47.000 Bulgarians and Gagauz
  • 24.000 Germans
  • 11.000 Gypsies
  • 6.000 Russians


Russian Census 1897,
  • 1.092.000 Romanians
  • 373.000 Russians and Ukrainians
  • 229.000 Jews
  • 259.000 Other - Germans, Bulgarians, Gagauz, etc.


Romanians Census 1930,
  • 57 % Romanians
  • 12 % Russians
  • 11 % Ukrainians
  • 7 % Jews
  • 6 % Bulgarians
  • 3 % Germans
  • 1 % Other

Economy

  • 1911: There were 165 loan societies, 117 savings Banks, forty three professional savings and loan societies, and eight Zemstvo loan offices; all these had total assets of about 10,000,000 rubles. There were also eighty nine government savings banks, with deposits of about 9,000,000 rubles.
  • 1918: Railway mileage was only 657 miles, the main lines converged on Russia and were broad gauge. Rolling stock and right of way were in bad shape. There were about 400 locomotives, with only about one hundred fit for use. There were 290 passenger coaches and thirty three more out for repair. Finally, out of 4530 freight cars and 187 tank cars, only 1389 and 103 were usable. The Romanians reduced the gauge to a standard 4ft 8-1/2in, so that cars could be run to the rest of Europe. Also, there were only a few inefficient bridges of boats. Romanian highway engineers decided to build ten bridges: Cuzlau, Tutora, Lipcani Lipcani

    Lipcani is a small town in Moldova [i], located in the Bessarabia [i] region close to where the borders ... 

    , Serpenita, Stefanesti-Braniste, Cahul-Oancea, Badarai-Moara Domneasca, Sarata, Bumbala-Leova, Badragi and Falciu . Of these, only four were ever finished: Cuzlau, Falciu, Lipcani and Sarata.

See also

  • Moldova Moldova

    The Republic of Moldova is a landlocked [i] country in eastern Europe [i], located between Romania [i] ... 

  • Odessa Oblast Odessa Oblast

    Odessa Oblast is an oblast [i] of south-western Ukraine [i]. ... 

  • Chernivtsi Oblast Chernivtsi Oblast

    [i] and [[Moldova]... 

  • History of the Jews in Bessarabia Bessarabian Jews

    This article is a brief outline of the history of the Bessarabia [i]n Jew [i]s . ... 

  • Bessarabian Bulgarians
  • Dazdie
  • Moldavian wine Moldovan wine

    Moldova [i], like neighbouring Romania [i], has a well established wine [i] industry, although it is sti ... 



External links