Carol II of Romania - Rule

Rule

Returning to the country unexpectedly on 7 June 1930, Carol reneged on the renunciation and was proclaimed King the following day, replacing his son (Michael) on the throne. For the next decade he sought to influence the course of Romanian political life, first through manipulation of the rival Peasant and Liberal parties and anti-Semitic factions, and subsequently (January 1938) through a ministry of his own choosing (the National Renaissance Front), with a constitution (27 February) reserving ultimate power to the Crown. In 1938, he banned the Iron Guard, which he had supported in the 1930s. He was the "man of his times", having a deep understanding and later increased concern of what was going to happen in Europe -- that was the outburst of WWII under the new German policies. He was an authentic patriot, deeply devoted to his land. He made efforts to keep the country in one piece while haing to deal with an increasingly vocal and then aggressive fascist movement call the Iron Guard. A country much to small to have anything to say and subject to the "games" of the main powers (see the Vienna the Second Vienna Award of August 1940), Romania lost territories in 1940 which were beyond influence of either Carol or of the Romanian Government. Of course, Carol took the blame.

Worth mentioning is the outstanding economical development of the country during his years along with a personal influence in culture and arts. Never before has Romania seen such a development. This was blended with an increase in the stadard of living of the population.

Carol also sought to build up his own personality cult to counter the growing influence of the Iron Guard, for instance by setting up a paramilitary youth organization known as Straja Ţării in 1935.

He was made the 892nd Knight of the Order of the Garter in 1938 by his second cousin, King George VI of the United Kingdom.