The Danube Stake During the Independence War (1877-1878) Cover Image

Miza dunăreană în timpul războiului de independenţă (1877-1878)
The Danube Stake During the Independence War (1877-1878)

Author(s): Mihaela Munteanu Siserman
Subject(s): History
Published by: Muzeul de Istorie „Paul Păltănea” Galaţi
Keywords: neutrality of the Danube; navigation; commerce; independence; public opinion; press

Summary/Abstract: This study aims to present, in the chronological limits of 1877-1878, some steps taken by the Romanian statesmen for maintaining the freedom of navigation on the Danube and for obtaining Romania’s independence through diplomatic means. In the context of the international situation both approaches failed. The Danube became a combat zone and the independence was obtained through military means. Although Danube’s neutrality was stated in international treaties and conventions, through the military developments of Russian-Romanian-Turkish river navigation and trade were discontinued throughout the Russian-Romanian-Turkish military operations. The press of the times kept the public opinion informed about the evolution of the events. On one hand, the Danube connected the industrialized countries of Central and Western Europe and the agrarian states, rich in raw materials, in the continent’s Eastern part. On the other hand, the Danube reduced the distances that the merchandise traveled between industrialized Europe and Asia. But because of the war, commercial traffic was seriously damaged and the European Commission of the Danube had significant financial losses. Following our research, we can conclude that both the European economic interests at the mouth of the Danube and the Romanian grain exports were strongly affected by the events during the Russian-Ottoman war of 1877-1878.

  • Issue Year: XXXIV/2016
  • Issue No: 1
  • Page Range: 119-128
  • Page Count: 10
  • Language: Romanian