Romania accepted harsh Central Powers terms in 1918, ceding Dobruja and granting border concessions, though the king refused to sign the treaty.
Key Facts
- Signed
- 7 May 1918 at Cotroceni Palace, Bucharest
- Preliminary peace concluded
- 5 March 1918 at Buftea
- Ratified by Chamber of Deputies
- 28 June 1918
- Ratified by Senate
- 4 July 1918
- King Ferdinand's role
- Refused to sign or promulgate the treaty
- Divisions Romania agreed to demobilize
- At least 8
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Russia's unilateral withdrawal from World War I left Romania isolated on the Eastern Front. After the failed 1917 campaign, the Central Powers issued an ultimatum to King Ferdinand I in February 1918. Following a three-day Crown Council debate in Iași, Romania agreed to negotiate despite strong opposition from Queen Marie and General Constantin Prezan.
Prime Minister Alexandru Marghiloman signed the Treaty of Bucharest on 7 May 1918 at Cotroceni Palace. Under its terms, Romania ceded all of Dobruja to Bulgaria, accepted border adjustments favoring Austria-Hungary, demobilized at least eight divisions, and permitted Central Powers troop transit through Moldavia and Bessarabia toward Odessa.
The treaty was ratified by both chambers of the Romanian parliament but was never signed by King Ferdinand, leaving it constitutionally ambiguous. Romania's eventual re-entry into the war in late 1918 and the subsequent Allied victory rendered the treaty void, allowing Romania to reclaim lost territories and achieve significant postwar territorial expansion.
Political Outcome
Romania accepted Central Powers terms, ceding Dobruja to Bulgaria and making border concessions to Austria-Hungary; treaty later voided by Romania's re-entry into the war and Allied victory.
Romania engaged as Allied power on Eastern Front
Romania temporarily aligned with Central Powers terms; treaty voided after November 1918 armistice