Romania's War of Independence: The Siege of Plevna

In July 1877, Prince Carol I led Romanian forces across the Danube to fight alongside the Russian army against the Ottoman Empire. This episode focuses on the pivotal Siege of Plevna (now Pleven, Bulgaria), where Romanian troops broke the Ottoman defense at Grivitsa and Smârdan, turning the tide of the Russo-Turkish War. We explore the strategic debates between Carol I and Russian generals, the bravery of soldiers like Colonel Ghica, and the bitter outcome: the Treaty of Berlin 1878 granted Romania independence but forced it to swap Southern Bessarabia for the Dobruja, a decision that still rankles. Through the voices of the era—from the battlefield reports to the diplomatic cables—we reveal how a small principality earned its place on the map of Europe.

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