Romanian War of Independence (1877–1878)
The Siege of Plevna
Date 1877–1878 Location Balkans Result Romanian & Russian victory, full independence of Romania Territorial changes Congress of Berlin
Combatants
Russian Empire Romania	Ottoman Empire
Commanders
Carol I of Romania Nikolai Konstantinovich, Grand Duke of Russia	Ahmed Muhtar Pasha
Casualties
10,000

The Romanian War of Independence was fought in 1877 against the Ottoman Empire. Image File history File links Historical map of the campaign by Plewen (11. ... Combatants Russia, Romania Ottoman Empire Commanders Grand Duke Nicholas Nikolai Krudener Prince Carol I of Romania Osman Pasha Strength 100,000 40,000 Casualties 34,000 killed, wounded or captured 40,000 killed, wounded or captured Map The Siege of Pleven (or Plevna) during the Russo-Turkish War, 1877–78... 1877 (MDCCCLXXVII) was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... 1878 (MDCCCLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... The Congress of Berlin (June 13 - July 13, 1878) was a meeting of the European Great Powers and the Ottoman Empires leading statesmen in Berlin in 1878. ... Image File history File links Romanov_Flag. ... Imperial Russia is the term used to cover the period of history from the expansion of Russia under Peter the Great, through the expansion of the Russian Empire from the Baltic Sea to the Pacific Ocean, to the deposal of Nicholas II of Russia, the last tsar, at the start... File links The following pages link to this file: Axis Powers Flag of Romania Categories: Flag images ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Turkey. ... For other uses, see Ottoman (disambiguation). ... File links The following pages link to this file: Axis Powers Flag of Romania Categories: Flag images ... Carol I, original name Karl Eitel Friedrich Zephyrinus Ludwig von Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen (April 20, 1839 - October 10, 1914) was elected Domnitor (prince) of Romania in April 1866 following the overthrow of Alexander John Cuza, and proclaimed king on March 26, 1881. ... Image File history File links Romanov_Flag. ... Grand Duke Nikolai Konstantinovich (1859–1918) was the first-born son of Grand Duke Konstantin Nikolayevich of Russia and Grand Duchess Alexandra Iosifovna of Russia and a grandson of Nicholas I of Russia. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Turkey. ... Gazi Ahmed Muhtar Pasha (or Ahmed Muhtar Pasha) was a Turkish Ottoman grand vizier and general. ... File links The following pages link to this file: Axis Powers Flag of Romania Categories: Flag images ... For other uses, see Ottoman (disambiguation). ...

On 4 April (Old Style) / 16 April 1877, Romania and Russia signed at Bucharest a treaty under which Russian troops were allowed to pass through Romanian territory, with the condition that Russia respect the integrity of Romania. The mobilization began, and about 120,000 soldiers were massed in the south of the country to defend against an eventual attack of the Ottoman forces from south of Danube. On 12 April (O.S.) / 24 April 1877, Russia declared war to the Ottoman Empire and its troops entered Romania. is the 94th day of the year (95th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Julian calendar was introduced in 46 BC by Julius Caesar and came into force in 45 BC (709 ab urbe condita). ... is the 106th day of the year (107th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1877 (MDCCCLXXVII) was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... Nickname: Motto: Patria si Dreptul Meu (My Country and My Right) Location of Bucharest within Romania (in red) Coordinates: , Country County Founded 1459 (first official mentioned) Government  - Mayor Adriean Videanu Area  - City 228 km²  (88 sq mi)  - Metro 238 km² (91. ... The Danube (ancient Danuvius, Iranian *dānu, meaning river or stream, ancient Greek Istros) is the longest river in the European Union and Europes second longest river. ... is the 102nd day of the year (103rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 114th day of the year (115th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1877 (MDCCCLXXVII) was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ...

Overview

At 9 May (O.S.) / 21 May, in the Romanian parliament, Mihail Kogălniceanu declared the independence of Romania as the will of the Romanian people and a day later the act was signed by King Carol I. A day later, the Romanian government canceled paying its tribute to Turkey (914,000 lei) and the sum was given instead to the War Minister. is the 129th day of the year (130th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... May 21 is the 141st day of the year (142nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Mihail Kogălniceanu Mihail Kogălniceanu (September 6, 1817, Iasi - July 1, 1891, Paris) was a Romanian statesman, historian and publicist, he became the first Prime minister of Romania October 11, 1863, after the union of Moldavian and Wallachian principalities. ... Carol I, original name Karl Eitel Friedrich Zephyrinus Ludwig von Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen (April 20, 1839 - October 10, 1914) was elected Domnitor (prince) of Romania in April 1866 following the overthrow of Alexander John Cuza, and proclaimed king on March 26, 1881. ... A tribute (from Latin tribulum, contribution) is wealth one party gives to another as a sign of respect or, as was often case in historical contexts, of submission or allegiance. ...

King Carol I

Initially, Russia did not wish to cooperate with Romania, since they did not wish Romania to participate in the peace treaties after the war, but the Russians encountered a very strong Turkish army of 50,000 soldiers led by Osman Pasha at the Siege of Pleven (Plevna). Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Combatants Russia, Romania Ottoman Empire Commanders Grand Duke Nicholas Nikolai Krudener King Carol I of Romania Osman Pasha Strength 100,000 30,000 Casualties 38,000 killed, wounded or captured 40,000 killed, wounded or captured {{{notes}}} Map The Siege of Pleven (or Plevna) during the Russo-Turkish War, 1877... Plevna may refer to: Plevna, Kansas Plevna, Montana Plevna is also another name for Pleven in Bulgaria. ...

War

Due to great losses, Nikolai Konstantinovich, Grand Duke of Russia asked Carol I for the Romanian Army to intervene and fuse with the Russian Army.^[1] Grand Duke Nikolai Konstantinovich (1859–1918) was the first-born son of Grand Duke Konstantin Nikolayevich of Russia and Grand Duchess Alexandra Iosifovna of Russia and a grandson of Nicholas I of Russia. ... The Romanian Army (Armata Română) consists of three branches: Romanian Land Forces Romanian Naval Forces Romanian Air Force The term army is used in Romania when referring to the entire military, while land forces deal only with the actual army itself. ... In russian, word army means armed forces in general. ...

Romanian troops taking Grivica Strongpoint

Carol I accepted the duke's proposal, and became the commander of the Romanian and marshal of the Russian troops, of which the combined forces had conquered Plevna after heavy fighting. The Romanian Army won the battles of Griviţa and Rahova, and on 28 November 1877 the Plevna citadel capitulated, with Osman Pasha surrendering to the Romanian troops. After the occupation of Plevna, the Romanian Army returned to the Danube and won the battles of Vidin and Smârdan. On 19 January 1878, the Ottoman Empire requested an armistice, which was accepted by Romania and Russia. Romania won the war, having suffered about 10,000 casualties. Its independence was finally recognised by the Central Powers on 13 July 1878. Reduta Grivita 1877 This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ... Reduta Grivita 1877 This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ... GriviÅ£a (pronounced Grivitza) Railway Yards were and still are an important landmark within the manufacturing landscape of Bucharest. ... Rahova is a neighbourhood of southwest Bucharest, situated in the 5th district (sector), west of DâmboviÅ£a River. ... is the 332nd day of the year (333rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1877 (MDCCCLXXVII) was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... Plevna may refer to: Plevna, Kansas Plevna, Montana Plevna is also another name for Pleven in Bulgaria. ... Vidin (Bulgarian: Видин; Romanian: Vidin, Diiu) is a town on the southern bank of the Danube in northwestern Bulgaria. ... Smârdan may refer to several places in Romania: Smârdan, a commune in GalaÅ£i County Smârdan, a commune in Tulcea County Smârdan, a village in Brădeanu Commune, Buzău County Smârdan, a village in Suharău Commune, BotoÅŸani County Smârdan, a village... January 19 is the 19th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1878 (MDCCCLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... is the 194th day of the year (195th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1878 (MDCCCLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ...

Aftermath

Smârdan battle by Nicolae Grigorescu

The peace treaty between Russia and the Ottoman Empire was signed in San Stefano, on 3rd March 1878. Russia did not keep its promises of the 4 April 1877 treaty (signed by Russian consul Stuart Dimitri and Romanian prime minister Mihail Kogălniceanu) to respect Romania's territorial integrity. However, the treaty was not recognised by the Central Powers and the 1878 peace conference in Berlin decided that Russia would give Romania its independence, the territories of Dobrogea, the Danube Delta, and Snake Island (Insula Şerpilor), but Russia would occupy the southern counties of Bessarabia (Cahul, Bolgrad and Ismail), which by the Treaty of Paris of 1856 (after the Crimean War) were included in Moldavia. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Nicolae Grigorescu (15 May 1838, Pitaru, DâmboviÅ£a - 21 July 1907, Câmpina) is one of the founders of modern Romanian painting. ... Borders of Bulgaria according to the Treaty of San Stefano of March 3rd, 1878 The Treaty of San Stefano was a treaty between Russia and the Ottoman Empire at the conclusion of the Russo-Turkish War, 1877-78. ... March 3 is the 62nd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (63rd in leap years). ... 1878 (MDCCCLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... is the 94th day of the year (95th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1877 (MDCCCLXXVII) was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... European military alliances in 1914. ... 1878 (MDCCCLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... This article is about the capital of Germany. ... Dobrogea is the Romanian name for Dobruja (Добруджа, Dobrudzha in Bulgarian), a territory between the lower Danube river and the Black Sea, divided between Romania and Bulgaria. ... Danube Delta - Landsat satellite photo (2000) The Danube Delta (Delta Dunării in Romanian), split between Tulcea County of Romania and Odessa Oblast of Ukraine, is the largest and best preserved of European deltas, with an area of 3446 km², after the Volga Delta. ... Map of Snake Island For the Bulgarian island also in the Black Sea and often referred to as Snake Island see St. ... 1927 map of Bessarabia from Charles Upson Clarks book Bessarabia (Basarabia in Romanian, Бесарабія in Ukrainian, Бессарабия in Russian, Бесарабия in Bulgarian, Besarabya in Turkish) is a historical term for the geographic entity in Eastern Europe bounded by the Dniester River on the East and the Prut River on the West. ... Cahul is a city and an administrative region in the south of Moldova. ... The coat of arms of Bolhrad Bolhrad (Болград) is a city in the southwest of Ukraine, at 45°40′N 28°32′E. It is part of the Odessa Oblast and capital of the subordinate Bolhrad District, a district with a Bulgarian majority of 61%. The city was founded in 1821... Ismail may refer to: Ishmael, son of Abraham, mentioned in both the Torah and the Quran Izmail, a town in Ukraine This is a disambiguation page, a list of pages that otherwise might share the same title. ... The Treaty of Paris of 1856 settled the Crimean War between Russia and Ottoman Empire and its allies France and Britain. ... Combatants Allies: Second French Empire British Empire Ottoman Empire Kingdom of Sardinia Russian Empire Bulgarian volunteers Casualties 90,000 French 35,000 Turkish 17,500 British 2,194 Sardinian killed, wounded and died of disease ~134,000 killed, wounded and died of disease The Crimean War (1853–1856) was fought... For other uses of Moldavia or Moldova, see Moldova (disambiguation). ...

Gallery

Romanian plate commemorating victory at Plevna Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 534 pixelsFull resolution (1600 × 1067 pixel, file size: 1. ...

Ahmed Pasha's sword: Romanian capture from Plevna Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 533 pixelsFull resolution (3696 × 2464 pixel, file size: 1. ...

At upper right is Carol I's insignia as a Russian Field Marshal Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 533 pixelsFull resolution (3696 × 2464 pixel, file size: 1. ...

First Cannon Fire Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 533 pixelsFull resolution (3696 × 2464 pixel, file size: 1. ...

See also

Part of a series on the History of Romania
Prehistory
Dacia
Roman Dacia
Early Middle Ages
Middle Ages
Early Modern Times
National awakening
Organic Statute
Kingdom of Romania
Greater Romania
World War II
Communist Romania
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Romania since 1989 This box: view • talk • edit

• History of Romania
  • National awakening of Romania
  • Kingdom of Romania
• Russo-Turkish War, 1877-78
• Treaty of San Stefano

Image File history File links Flag_of_Romania. ... This article provides only a brief outline of each period of the History of Romania; details are presented in separate articles (see the links in the box and below). ... Prehistoric Romania is the period in the human occupation (including early hominins) of the geographical area encompassing present-day Romania, which extended through prehistory, and ended when the first written records appeared. ... Dacia, in ancient geography the land of the Daci, named by the ancient Greeks Getae, was a large district of Southeastern Europe, bounded on the north by the Carpathians, on the south by the Danube, on the west by the Tisa, on the east by the Tyras or Nistru, now... The provinces of the Roman Empire in 120, with Dacia highlighted. ... This article (also known as Romania in the Dark Ages) treats the history of Romania and of the Romanian people, and refers to the time period roughly from the 5th century to the 10th century, that is between the Hunnic invasion, to the last phase of the Age of Migrations. ... // Main article: Romania in the Dark Ages The Dark Ages in what is now Romania ended around the 11th century, following the period in which the Romanian lands had been part of the First Bulgarian Empire (802-1018). ... It has been suggested that Byzantium after Byzantium be merged into this article or section. ... During the period of Austro-Hungarian rule in Transylvania and Ottoman suzerainty over Wallachia and Moldavia, most Romanians were in the situation of being second-class citizens (or even non-citizens) in their own country. ... The National Assembly of Wallachia in 1837 Regulamentul Organic (Romanian name, translated as Organic Statute or Organic Regulation; French: Règlement Organique, Russian: Oрганический регламент, Organichesky reglament)[1] was a quasi-constitutional organic law enforced in 1831–1832 by the Imperial Russian authorities in Moldavia and Wallachia (the two Danubian Principalities... From 1859 to 1877, Romania evolved from a personal union of two vassal principalities (Moldavia and Wallachia) under a single prince to a full-fledged independent kingdom with a Hohenzollern monarchy. ... Anthem Trăiască Regele Capital Bucharest Language(s) Romanian Government Constitutional monarchy Head of State  - 1918 - 1927 Ferdinand I of Romania  - 1927 - 1930 - 1930 - 1940 - 1940 - 1947 Michael I of Romania Carol II of Romania Michael I of Romania Legislature Adunarea DeputaÅ£ilor and Senatul Historical era Interbellum Years  - Kingdom... In June of 1941, after a brief period of nominal neutrality under King Carol, Romania joined the Axis Powers. ... Anthem Zdrobite cătuÅŸe (1947 - 1953) Te slăvim Românie (1953 - 1968) Trei Culori (1968-1989) Capital Bucharest Language(s) Romanian Government Socialist republic Head of State  - 1947–1965 Gheorghe Gheorghiu-Dej  - 1965-1989 Nicolae CeauÅŸescu Legislature Marea Adunare NaÅ£ionalÇŽ Historical era Cold War  - Monarchy abolished... Combatants Securitate and other loyalist forces Anti-CeauÅŸescu protesters, discontented Communist party members, Romanian Army defectors Commanders Nicolae CeauÅŸescu† Various independent leaders Casualties 1,104 deaths The Romanian Revolution of 1989 was a week-long series of riots and fighting in late December of 1989 that overthrew the... // 1989 marked the fall of Communism in Eastern Europe. ... This article provides only a brief outline of each period of the History of Romania; details are presented in separate articles (see the links in the box and below). ... During the period of Austro-Hungarian rule in Transylvania and Ottoman suzerainty over Wallachia and Moldavia, most Romanians were in the situation of being second-class citizens (or even non-citizens) in their own country. ... From 1859 to 1877, Romania evolved from a personal union of two vassal principalities (Moldavia and Wallachia) under a single prince to a full-fledged independent kingdom with a Hohenzollern monarchy. ... The Russo-Turkish War of 1877–1878 had its origins in the Russian goal of gaining access to the Mediterranean Sea and dominating Constantinople (Istanbul) and the adjacent Turkish Straits. ... Borders of Bulgaria according to the Treaty of San Stefano of March 3rd, 1878 The Treaty of San Stefano was a treaty between Russia and the Ottoman Empire at the conclusion of the Russo-Turkish War, 1877-78. ...

External links

• The Plevna Delay by Richard T. Trenk, Sr. (Originally published in Man At Arms magazine, Number Four, August, 1997)
• The Romanian Army of the Russo-Turkish War 1877-78
• Grivitsa Romanian Mausoleum in Bulgaria

Footnotes

1. ^ The telegram of Nikolai to Carol I (in Romanian): "Turcii îngrãmãdind cele mai mari trupe la Plevna ne nimicesc. Rog sã faci fuziune, demonstratiune si dacã-i posibil sã treci Dunãrea cu armatã dupã cum doresti. Între Jiu si Corabia demonstratiunea aceasta este absolut necesarã pentru înlesnirea miscãrilor mele" ("The Turks massed together the greatest troop at Pleven to lay us waste. I ask you to make mergers, demonstrations and if it is possible cross the Danube with the army as you wish. Between Jiu and Corabia, the demonstration is absolutely necessary to facilitate my movements.)