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Learn about the life and reign of Carol I, the first king of Romania and the founder of the Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen dynasty. He led Romania to independence and modernization, but also faced political and social challenges.
Carol I was the first king of Romania, who ruled from 1866 to 1914. He modernized and unified the country, but faced peasant rebellions and World War I.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Due to his constitutional right to appoint the prime minister, King Carol I advocated the transfer of power between the Liberals and the Conservatives, the two most significant parties in Romania. He thought this was the only way to solve the country’s political and economic problems.
Learn about the life and achievements of Carol I, the first King of Romania, who was born in Germany and became a Prussian officer. He led Romania to independence, adopted the 1866 Constitution, and defended its neutrality in World War I.
Carol I or Charles I of Romania, was the monarch of Romania from 1866 to his death in 1914, ruling as Prince (Domnitor) from 1866 to 1881, and as King from 1881 to 1914. He was elected Prince of the Romanian United Principalities on 20 April 1866 after the overthrow of Alexandru Ioan Cuza by a palace coup d'état.
A German-born prince and Prussian officer, he was elected in 1866 to succeed Alexander John Cuza as Prince of Romania. His pro-German sympathies made him unpopular during the Franco–Prussian War, but skill in manipulating politicians and elections saved him from abdication.