On This Day: September 6, 1940, Romania’s King Carol II abdicates

Romania’s King Carol II abdicated on September 6, 1940, handing the throne to his 19-year-old son Michael after a period of political crisis and major territorial losses.

During the 1930s, Romania’s political parties were gradually marginalized and parliamentary government lost credibility. Carol became the central figure in political life. In February 1938, he imposed a royal dictatorship, citing political tensions, the dysfunction of parliament and the threat posed by the fascist Iron Guard. He promised to restore social calm and appointed trusted figures to government, including Patriarch Miron Cristea as the first prime minister of the new period.

Carol’s domestic policy focused on curbing the Iron Guard. After its leader, Corneliu Zelea Codreanu, congratulated Adolf Hitler on Germany’s annexation of Austria in March 1938, the government ordered his arrest along with other senior members. Codreanu and other Iron Guard figures were executed in November of that year. Authorities officially said they had been shot while trying to escape prison. Horia Sima then took over the organization.

Romania’s position deteriorated after France was defeated by Axis forces in June 1940, removing its main ally. The Romanian leadership turned toward Germany in the hope of preserving the country’s territorial integrity and released Iron Guard members as a gesture toward Hitler. The strategy failed to prevent territorial losses: the Soviet Union annexed Bessarabia and Northern Bukovina on June 28, Hungary took Northern Transylvania on August 30, and Bulgaria took Southern Dobruja and Silistra on September 7.

Public anger toward Carol and his companion Magda Lupescu intensified. On September 4, Carol appointed Ion Antonescu prime minister. Two days later, he abdicated in favor of Michael, whose coronation took place the same day. Michael had little real power. Antonescu dominated political affairs and believed alignment with Germany served Romanian interests. In November 1940, he signed Romania’s accession to the Tripartite Pact of Germany, Italy and Japan.