History of Moldova

Part of a series on the
History of Moldova
Antiquity Chernyakhov culture Dacia, Free Dacians Bastarnae
Early Middle Ages Origin of the Romanians Tivertsi Brodnici Golden Horde Voivodeship of Maramureș
Principality of Moldavia Foundation Early Modern Era Phanariotes United Principalities
Bessarabia Governorate Treaty of Bucharest
Moldavian Democratic Republic Sfatul Țării Romanian military intervention
Greater Romania Union of Bessarabia with Romania Transnistria Governorate The Holocaust
Moldavian ASSR Moldovenism
Moldavian SSR Soviet occupation Soviet deportations Anti-fascist resistance
Republic of Moldova Independence of Moldova War of Transnistria Gagauz Republic History of independent Moldova
Moldova portal
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The history of Moldova can be traced to the 1350s, when the Principality of Moldavia, the medieval precursor of modern Moldova and Romania, was founded. The principality was a vassal of the Ottoman Empire from 1538 until the 19th century. In 1812, following one of several Russian–Turkish wars, the eastern half of the principality, Bessarabia, was annexed by the Russian Empire. In 1918, Bessarabia briefly became independent as the Moldavian Democratic Republic and, following the decision of the Parliament (Sfatul Țării), united with Romania. During the Second World War it was occupied by the Soviet Union which reclaimed it from Romania. It joined the Union as the Moldavian ASSR, until the dissolution of the USSR. In 1991 the country declared independence as the Republic of Moldova.