1828 - Russian Occupation
Roumania, lying between Russia, Austria and Turkey, was ever a pawn in their envious designs; and was looked upon by each as a buffer acquisition, or as a hostage to bargain with. It is astonishing that the national spirit was not completely extinguished, and one can only attribute the fact to the inherently hopeful and vigorous Latin temperament of her people. Roumania realized that no help could be looked for from them, and that a "Muscovite Liberator might be as harsh as a Greek Governor." It was from this time that one can date the rise of a strong anti-Russian policy, and the next fifty years were continually spent in endeavouring to maintain Roumania's independence against the stern autocracy of Russia, who, backed by the Convention of Akermann of the 7th October 1826, had been permitted by the Sultan to become the "predominant partner" over the Principalities. Extreme oligarchical principles were the feature of the Russian domination. The people had no rights, the nobles no duties.
A new war having broken put between Russia and Turkey in connexion with the Greek struggle for freedom, Russia occupied the two principalities after the Peace of Adrianople (1828); the Russian Count Kisselew, who governed the territories at the head of the Russian army of occupation, regulated anew the administration and the political organization of the countries. After the Russian occupation Russia appointed as princes for life, for Moldavia Michael Sturdza (1834-49), and for Wallachia Alexander Ghica (1834-43), who was succeeded by another favourite of the tsar, George Bibescu.
The reforms introduced under the Russians subsequently prepared the way for the gradual economic development of the territories. However, this improvement benefited almost exclusively the boyars and the great landowners, while the people remained in their former pitiable condition. These circumstances, as well as the interference of Russia in the domestic affairs of the principalities, the spread of patriotic and liberal ideas, the desire for national unity, the curtailment of the privileges of the boyars, and free institutions, finally led (owing to the example given by the French Revolution of February) to an insurrection, which was successful only in Wallachia.
On 21 June, 1848, George Bibescu was forced to abdicate, a new constitution was proclaimed, and a provisional government appointed. However, Russia and Turkey occupied the principalities in common, set aside the constitution, and restored the old conditions by the Convention of Balta-Limani (1 May, 1849) ; at the same time the election of princes for life and the national assembly were abolished. Barbu Stirbeiu, Bibsecu's brother, was named Prince of Wallachia, and Oregon, Alexander Prince of Moldavia for a period of seven years.
During the Crimean War both principalities were occupied first by Russia, and then (after 1854) by Austria. The Congress of Paris rearranged their relations, setting aside the Russian suzerainty and restoring that of Turkey. A commission of the great powers which had been sent to the principalities having learned the wishes of the Rumanian people, both were given autonomy to the extent of their ancient treaty with Turkey and a constitutional government by the Convention of Paris (1858); the further wishes of the people for the union of the two territories and the nomination of a prince from one of the ruling houses of Europe were not fulfilled, the two principalities being kept separate and each electing a prince for life.
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