Alexandru Ioan Cuza
The man elected prince by two principalities at once, achieving the unification of Romania.
Life
Moldavian noble
Cuza came from a Moldavian noble family and took part in the Revolutions of 1848. After the Crimean War, the great powers stipulated that Wallachia and Moldavia would each elect their own prince, but did not stipulate that they could not elect the same person.
Double election
In 1859 the assemblies of both principalities elected him prince, achieving de facto unification, and in 1862 they merged into a unified Romania. He carried out land reform, confiscated monastery estates, and established modern education and legal systems.
Reform and coup
His reforms offended the great landowners; in 1866 he was overthrown in a coup and went into exile abroad, dying in Heidelberg, Germany, in 1873.
Legacy
Cuza is regarded as the founder of the modern Romanian state, and January 24, "Unification Day," is a Romanian day of commemoration.
Did you know? The Great Powers never expected the Romanians to exploit a loophole in the treaty by having both principalities elect the same man.
Key dates
- 1848Joined the revolution
- 1859Elected Prince of the United Principalities
- 1862The two principalities unite as Romania
- 1864Carries out land reform
- 1866Overthrown
- 1873Died