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=== History === === History ===


Beginning with the ], ], ] and ] sources, and later - Occidental sources - mention the existence of statal entities peopled by Romanians under a leader known as ''kneaz'' or ''voyevod'' - at first in ] and ] (Dobrudja), then in the ]-] in the territories east and south of the ]. A specific characteristic of Romanian history in the Middle Ages, until the ], is that they lived in three adjacent, but autonomous principalities - Wallachia, ] and Transylvania. Beginning with the ], ], ] and ] sources, and later Western ones mention the existence of small states peopled by Romanians under leaders known as '']'' or '']'' - at first in ], then in the ]-] in the territories east and south of the ]. A specific characteristic of Romanian history from the Middle Ages to ] is that they lived in three adjacent principalities - Wallachia, ] and Transylvania, which was an autonomous ] of Hungary.


In the ], along with the decline of the neighboring empires (], Hungarians, ]s), several feudal states formed in the south and the east of the Carpathian Mountains - Wallachia under ] (around ]) and Moldavia under ] (around ]). In the ], along with the decline of the neighboring ]s, Hungarians, ]s, several feudal states formed in the south and the east of the Carpathian Mountains - Wallachia under ] (around ]) and Moldavia under ] (around ]).


In the second half of the fourteenth century, a new threat appeared - the ]. After having first gained a foothold in Europe in ], the Ottoman Turks reached the south bank of the ] in ]. In the second half of the 14th century, a new threat appeared - the ]. After having first gained a foothold in Europe in ], the Ottoman Turks reached the south bank of the ] in ].


Alone or allied with the neighbouring ] countries, rather than in alliance with the other two Romanian principalities, voyevods ] (]-]) and ] (]-]) of Wallachia and ] (]-]), voyevod of Moldavia and ], prince of Transylvania fought many defensive battles against the Ottomans, preventing them from expanding into Central Europe. Alone or allied with the neighbouring ] countries, rather than in alliance with the other two Romanian principalities, ] (]-]) and ] (]-]) of Wallachia, ] (]-]) of Moldavia and ], prince of Transylvania (heroic figure to both Romanians and Hungarians), fought many defensive battles against the Ottomans, preventing them from expanding into Central Europe.


As the whole ] became Turkish territory, and following the fall of ] to ] in ], the Romanian principalities had to accept the suzerainty of the Ottoman Empire for more than three centuries - though there were a few attempts to regain independence: (] in ] managed to unite for a short period of time all the three principalities). As the whole ] became Turkish territory and following the fall of ] to ] in ], the Romanian principalities had to accept the suzerainty of the Ottoman Empire for more than three centuries, though there were a few attempts to regain independence: (] in ] managed to unite for a short period of time all the three principalities).


The tribute paid to the Turks allowed Wallachia (and Moldavia too) to maintain its own statal entity, its own politics and its own military and administrative structures. The tribute paid to the Turks allowed Wallachia (and Moldavia too) to maintain its autonomy.




Important rulers: Important rulers:
* ], voivode on the east side of the ], ]-], * ], on the east side of the ], ]-],
* ], voivode on west side of the Olt river, at ], c.a.1247 * ], on west side of the Olt river, at ], c.a.1247
* ], c.a.1277-c.a.] * ], c.a.1277-c.a.]
* ], c.a.1290-c.a.] * ], c.a.1290-c.a.]
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* ], ]-] * ], ]-]
* ] (Michael the Brave), ] - ] * ] (Michael the Brave), ] - ]
* ], ] - ] * ], ] - ]


See also the complete ]. See also the complete ].


In ], Wallachia voted to unite with Moldavia to form the state of ], under the rule of ]. In ], Wallachia voted to unite with Moldavia to form the state of ], under the rule of ].


=== Geography === === Geography ===

Revision as of 12:48, 22 March 2004


Wallachia (also spelt Walachia) formed a Romanian principality in eastern Europe from the late Middle Ages until the mid-19th century.

The capital city changed over time, from Curtea de Arges to Targoviste and finally Bucharest.

Map of Romania with Wallachia in yellow

History

Beginning with the tenth century, Byzantine, Slavic and Hungarian sources, and later Western ones mention the existence of small states peopled by Romanians under leaders known as cneji or voievozi - at first in Transylvania, then in the 12th-13th centuries in the territories east and south of the Carpathian Mountains. A specific characteristic of Romanian history from the Middle Ages to modern times is that they lived in three adjacent principalities - Wallachia, Moldavia and Transylvania, which was an autonomous voivodship of Hungary.

In the 14th century, along with the decline of the neighboring Poles, Hungarians, Tatars, several feudal states formed in the south and the east of the Carpathian Mountains - Wallachia under Basarab I (around 1330) and Moldavia under Bogdan I (around 1359).

In the second half of the 14th century, a new threat appeared - the Ottoman Empire. After having first gained a foothold in Europe in 1354, the Ottoman Turks reached the south bank of the Danube in 1396.

Alone or allied with the neighbouring Christian countries, rather than in alliance with the other two Romanian principalities, Mircea the Elder (1386-1418) and Vlad Tepes (1456-1462) of Wallachia, Stephen the Great (1457-1504) of Moldavia and Janos Hunyadi, prince of Transylvania (heroic figure to both Romanians and Hungarians), fought many defensive battles against the Ottomans, preventing them from expanding into Central Europe.

As the whole Balkan Peninsula became Turkish territory and following the fall of Constantinople to Mehmed II in 1453, the Romanian principalities had to accept the suzerainty of the Ottoman Empire for more than three centuries, though there were a few attempts to regain independence: (Michael the Brave in 1600 managed to unite for a short period of time all the three principalities).

The tribute paid to the Turks allowed Wallachia (and Moldavia too) to maintain its autonomy.


Important rulers:

See also the complete List of Wallachian rulers.

In 1859, Wallachia voted to unite with Moldavia to form the state of Romania, under the rule of Alexandru Ioan Cuza.

Geography

Wallachia was situated north of the Danube and south of the Carpathian Mountains.

Its neighbours were the Ottoman Empire to the south, Transylvania to the north-west and Moldavia to the north-east.

Historical regions in Romania
Banat Banat (1918–)
  • Banat
Dobruja Dobruja (1878–)
Moldavia Moldavia (1859–)
Transylvania Transylvania (1918–)
Wallachia Wallachia (1859–)