National Legionary State

Kingdom of Romania
Regatul României
1940–1941
Royal anthem: Trăiască Regele
("Long live the King")
CapitalBucharest
Common languagesRomanian
Demonym(s)Romanian
GovernmentUnitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy under a legionarist one-party totalitarian duumvirate
King 
• 1940–1941
Michael I
Prime Minister & Conducător 
• 1940–1941
Ion Antonescu
Deputy Prime Minister 
• 1940–1941
Horia Sima[a]
History 
• Established
14 September 1940
• Disestablished
14 February 1941
Area
• Total
195,000 km2 (75,000 sq mi)
Population
• 1941
13.5 million
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Kingdom of Romania
Greater Romanian State
Today part ofRomania

The National Legionary State (Romanian: Statul Național Legionar) was a totalitarian fascist regime which governed Romania for five months, from 14 September 1940 until its official dissolution on 14 February 1941. The regime was led by General Ion Antonescu in partnership with the Iron Guard, the Romanian ultra-nationalist, and anti-communist organization. Though the Iron Guard had been in the Romanian Government since 28 June 1940, on 14 September it achieved dominance, leading to the proclamation of the National Legionary State.

On 27 September 1940, Romania withdrew from the Balkan Pact. On 8 October, Nazi German troops began crossing into Romania, and soon numbered over 500,000. On 23 November, Romania formally joined the Axis powers. On 27 November, 64 former dignitaries or officials were executed by the Iron Guard in the Jilava Massacre. The already harsh anti-Semitic legislation was expanded, included the expropriation of Jewish-owned rural property on 4 October, followed by forests on 17 November, and finally by river transport on 4 December.[1]

On 20 January 1941, the Iron Guard attempted a coup, combined with a pogrom against the Jews of Bucharest. Within four days, Antonescu had successfully suppressed the coup, and the Iron Guard was forced out of the government. Horia Sima and many other Legionnaires took refuge in Nazi Germany, while others were imprisoned. Antonescu formally abolished the National Legionary State on 14 February 1941.


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