Moldova

Quick Facts: Who was Moldova?

Subject:

Moldova

Known for:

Landlocked nation in Eastern Europe, historically part of Moldavia and Bessarabia.

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Moldova, officially the Republic of Moldova, is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe, with an area of 33,843 km2 (13,067 sq mi) and a population of 2.38 million. Moldova is bordered by Romania to the west and Ukraine to the north, east, and south. The unrecognised breakaway state of Transnistria lies across the Dniester river on the country's eastern border with Ukraine.

Career & Major Achievements

Moldova is a parliamentary democratic republic with its capital in Chișinău, the country's largest city and main cultural and commercial centre. Most of Moldovan territory was a part of the Principality of Moldavia from the 14th century until 1812, when it was ceded to the Russian Empire by the Ottoman Empire (to which Moldavia was a vassal state) and became known as Bessarabia. In 1856, southern Bessarabia was returned to Moldavia, which three years later united with Wallachia to form Romania.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Still, Russian rule was restored over the entire region in 1878. During the 1917 Russian Revolution, Bessarabia briefly became an autonomous state within the Russian Republic. In February 1918, it declared independence and then integrated into Romania later that year following a vote of its assembly.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1812: 1812 Milestone — Most of Moldovan territory was a part of the Principality of Moldavia from the 14th century until 1812, when it was ceded to the Russian Empire by the Ottoman Empire (to which Moldavia was a vassal state) and became known as Bessarabia.
2. 1856: 1856 Milestone — In 1856, southern Bessarabia was returned to Moldavia, which three years later united with Wallachia to form Romania.
3. 1878: 1878 Milestone — Still, Russian rule was restored over the entire region in 1878.
4. 1917: 1917 Milestone — During the 1917 Russian Revolution, Bessarabia briefly became an autonomous state within the Russian Republic.
5. 1918: 1918 Milestone — In February 1918, it declared independence and then integrated into Romania later that year following a vote of its assembly.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Moldova

True or False: “Moldova's historical territory was significantly influenced by its status as a vassal state under the Ottoman Empire before being ceded to the Russian Empire.”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): The Principality of Moldavia operated under Ottoman suzerainty for centuries, which shaped its early political identity before the Russian annexation in 1812.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Alexander H. Stephens — Historical peer (Born in 1812) (1812): American politician, Vice President of the Confederacy, and Governor of Georgia.
• Alexander Herzen — Historical peer (Born in 1812) (1812): Pioneering Russian socialist thinker and writer, precursor to agrarian populism.
• Alfred Deakin — Historical peer (Born in 1856) (1856): Father of Australian Federation and second Prime Minister of Australia.
• Amedeo Avogadro — Historical peer (Died in 1856) (1856): Pioneering Italian scientist known for Avogadro's law on gas volumes and molecular theory.
• Ahn Chang Ho — Historical peer (Born in 1878) (1878): Pioneering Korean independence activist and leader of the Korean-American community.
• Alfred Döblin — Historical peer (Born in 1878) (1878): Pioneering German modernist novelist, essayist, and doctor, famed for Berlin Alexanderplatz.
• Abdullah al-Sallal — Historical peer (Born in 1917) (1917): Yemeni military officer and revolutionary who led the North Yemeni Revolution of 1962.
• Adolf von Baeyer — Historical peer (Died in 1917) (1917): Pioneering German chemist known for indigo synthesis and IUPAC nomenclature.
• Abdul Hamid II — Historical peer (Died in 1918) (1918): Last effective Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, navigating decline and constitutional upheaval.
• Abraham Pais — Historical peer (Born in 1918) (1918): Pioneering physicist and acclaimed science historian of modern physics.

Frequently Asked Questions about Moldova