: General Ion Antonescu took power in 1940, forced Carol II to abdicate in favor of his son, King Michael I , and aligned Romania with the Axis powers during the invasion of the Soviet Union. 5. The Fall of the Monarchy (1944–1947)

For a more granular look at the socioeconomic shifts during this period, you may find Keith Hitchins' comprehensive history a valuable resource for further study. Rumania 1866-1947 (Oxford History of Modern Europe)

The modern era began with the overthrow of Prince Alexandru Ioan Cuza in 1866. A coalition of Liberals and Conservatives replaced him with , seeking a foreign prince to stabilize the nation and curb internal political infighting.

The interwar period was marked by democratic struggle and the rise of the far-right .

: Despite industrial growth, the rural population suffered under a repressive land ownership system, leading to a massive uprising that was violently suppressed by the army, highlighting deep social inequalities. 3. The First World War and "Greater Romania" (1914–1927)

: This landmark document established Romania as a constitutional monarchy and provided a legal framework for modern political institutions, modeled after Western European systems.