Carol II Against Antonescu — Bucharest, 6 September 1940

Carol II, King of Romania since 1930, has built an authoritarian royal dictatorship in Bucharest. But in the summer of 1940, his throne totters: his country has just been dismembered without a shot fired in its defence.

In a few weeks, Greater Romania has lost Bessarabia and Northern Bukovina to the USSR, the south of Dobruja to Bulgaria, and — by the Second Vienna Award of 30 August 1940 imposed by Berlin and Rome — Northern Transylvania to Hungary. Accepted by Carol, these amputations utterly discredit him in the eyes of his people.

In early September, immense demonstrations demand his abdication. The fascist Iron Guard, led by Horia Sima, organises the agitation. On 5 September 1940, on the advice of his entourage, Carol appoints General Ion Antonescu Prime Minister and transfers to him the bulk of his dictatorial powers.

But within hours, Antonescu changes his mind: a weakened king no longer suffices for him. Supported by the Germans and by the street, he demands the sovereign's departure. Carol must choose: cede the throne to his son Michael, or try to maintain himself against Antonescu and the Iron Guard.