"We, who have shed tears seeing our language removed from schools, churches and high courts, will not take it away from others. Our Romanian country can only be strengthened through a democratic regime.”

Iuliu Maniu

1st of December 1918, Alba Iulia

This was the vision of political leaders right after the Great Union, when Romania became a medium sized state in Europe: 10th in terms of surface and 8th in terms of population. The main challenge then was integrating the provinces in a unitary state, given the differences in terms of calendar, currency, and ethnic make-up. The over 20 minorities in the country made up 28% of the population.