Wallachia and Moldavia are united under Alexandru Ioan Cuza as the United Principalities, an autonomous region within the Ottoman Empire, which ushered the birth of the modern Romanian state.

Wallachia: A Historical and Geographical Heartland of Romania

Wallachia, often spelled Walachia, known in Romanian as Țara Românească (literally 'The Romanian Land' or 'The Romanian Country', pronounced [ˈt͡sara romɨˈne̯askə]), and historically as Țeara Rumânească in the Romanian Cyrillic alphabet (Цѣра Рꙋмѫнѣскъ), stands as a pivotal historical and geographical region within modern-day Romania. This territory has played a foundational role in the formation and development of the Romanian state, embodying centuries of struggle for autonomy and national identity.

Geographical Delimitation and Traditional Divisions

Strategically positioned, Wallachia is bordered to the north by the formidable Southern Carpathians, a natural barrier that historically offered protection and distinct cultural development. To its south, it is defined by the Lower Danube River, a vital waterway that served as both a commercial artery and a geopolitical frontier throughout its history. Traditionally, Wallachia is divided into two distinct sections: Muntenia, also referred to as Greater Wallachia, which encompasses the eastern and central parts, and Oltenia, or Lesser Wallachia, occupying the western portion. While these divisions reflect historical administrative and even dialectal differences, Wallachia as a whole is sometimes colloquially referred to as Muntenia, particularly due to Muntenia's larger geographical area and its long-standing role as the political and economic center, including the capital city of Bucharest.

The Genesis of the Wallachian Principality

The principality of Wallachia was formally established in the early 14th century, a crucial period for the assertion of Romanian statehood. This significant historical event was spearheaded by Basarab I, considered the founder of Wallachia, following a decisive rebellion against Charles I of Hungary. This rebellion culminated in the Battle of Posada in 1330, a pivotal victory that solidified Wallachia's independence from the Kingdom of Hungary and laid the groundwork for its autonomous development. Prior to this, the territory saw various voivodeships or local political entities. The earliest documented mention of the territory of Wallachia, specifically west of the Olt River (part of what would become Oltenia), dates back to 1246, when a charter was granted by Béla IV of Hungary to the local voivode Seneslau, illustrating the existence of nascent Romanian political formations long before the unified principality.

Under Ottoman Suzerainty and Geopolitical Shifts

From 1417 onwards, Wallachia was compelled to accept the suzerainty of the formidable Ottoman Empire. This relationship, while maintaining the principality's internal autonomy and distinct administrative structure, involved the payment of tribute and occasional military obligations to the Porte. This period of Ottoman suzerainty endured for several centuries, until the 19th century, profoundly shaping Wallachia's political and cultural landscape. However, this era was not without interruptions. Wallachia, situated in a highly strategic region, became a focal point of geopolitical rivalry, particularly between the Ottoman and Russian Empires. Consequently, the principality experienced brief but impactful periods of Russian occupation between 1768 and 1854, often as a result of the various Russo-Turkish Wars that characterized the "Eastern Question." These occupations, while temporary, further highlighted Wallachia's vulnerable yet crucial position on the European political map.

Path to Modern Romanian Statehood

A defining moment in Romanian history occurred in 1859 when Wallachia achieved a significant milestone by uniting with the neighboring principality of Moldavia. This act of unification formed the United Principalities of Moldavia and Wallachia, a foundational step towards the modern Romanian nation-state. In 1866, the newly formed entity officially adopted the name Romania, marking a symbolic and political transformation. This evolution culminated in 1881 with the formal proclamation of the Kingdom of Romania, solidifying its place on the European stage. The modern Romanian state, as it is largely recognized today, was further expanded and consolidated following the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire at the end of World War I. In 1918, through a series of self-determination movements and resolutions by elected representatives of Romanians, historical regions such as Bukovina, Transylvania, and significant portions of Banat, Crișana, and Maramureș were allocated to the Kingdom of Romania, collectively forming the "Greater Romania" and establishing the contemporary national borders.

The Danubian Principalities: A Conventional Geopolitical Term

The term "Danubian Principalities" (Romanian: Principatele Dunărene; Serbian: Дунавске кнежевине, romanized: Dunavske kneževine) served as a conventional, widely recognized name for the Principalities of Moldavia and Wallachia, which emerged as distinct political entities in the early 14th century. This designation became particularly prevalent and useful in foreign political discourse to describe a specific geopolitical reality in Southeastern Europe.

Origin and Context of the Term

The term "Danubian Principalities" was notably coined within the Habsburg monarchy following the pivotal Treaty of Küçük Kaynarca in 1774. This treaty, which concluded the Russo-Turkish War of 1768–1774, significantly altered the balance of power in the region, granting Russia increased influence over the Ottoman Empire's Christian subjects. The Habsburgs, as a major European power with interests in the Balkans, adopted this term to designate an area along the Lower Danube River that, despite being under Ottoman suzerainty, possessed a unique and common geopolitical situation marked by a degree of internal autonomy and increasing foreign influence, particularly from Russia. The designation was thus a reflection of a new geopolitical understanding of these territories.

Significance and Evolution

Once coined, the term "Danubian Principalities" gained significant traction and was largely employed by foreign political circles and public opinion to refer to Moldavia and Wallachia. Its usage remained widespread until the historic union of the two principalities in 1859. This union, which gave birth to the United Principalities, rendered the singular term somewhat obsolete as a new political entity emerged. Alongside Transylvania, which later joined, the United Principalities of Moldavia and Wallachia became the indisputable basis for the Kingdom of Romania, and by extension, the modern nation-state of Romania we know today. In a broader context, the concept of "Danubian Principalities" could also be applied to include the Principality of Serbia. Serbia, which also came under the suzerainty of the Ottoman Porte from 1817 onwards while maintaining a significant degree of autonomy and experiencing similar great power rivalries along the Danube, shared many of the geopolitical characteristics that defined Moldavia and Wallachia, thus fitting into this conventional classification of states along the Danube with a shared destiny under Ottoman suzerainty.

Frequently Asked Questions About Wallachia and the Danubian Principalities

What is Wallachia?
Wallachia, or Țara Românească, is a historical and geographical region in present-day Romania, located north of the Lower Danube and south of the Southern Carpathians. It was one of the two principalities that formed the basis of modern Romania.
How was Wallachia founded?
Wallachia was founded as a principality in the early 14th century by Basarab I. This followed a successful rebellion against King Charles I of Hungary, a pivotal event that asserted Wallachia's independence and established its foundational statehood.
What are the Danubian Principalities?
The Danubian Principalities is a conventional historical term primarily referring to the Principalities of Moldavia and Wallachia. This term was coined by the Habsburg monarchy in the late 18th century to describe these semi-autonomous regions along the Lower Danube that shared a common geopolitical situation under Ottoman suzerainty.
When did Wallachia unite with Moldavia?
Wallachia united with Moldavia in 1859, forming the United Principalities. This union was a crucial step towards the creation of the modern Romanian state, which officially adopted the name Romania in 1866 and became the Kingdom of Romania in 1881.