Abstract:
The first half of the 20th century represents the most fruitful period of Romanian politics, steming from the emergence of new political parties competing against the traditional ones. Political balance and important reforms such as the land distribution to the peasants lead to the increase of the standard of living in Romania and to economic, social and cultural growth. In this period the lead was being held by the National Liberal Party, which at the beginning of the century co-opted the young socialists to strengthen itself. Before and after the Great War the National Liberal Party headed the country towards a main national goal, that of the Great Union (Marea Unire). In the present article we attempt to creat a succinct analysis of the political activities of the four members of the Brătianu family: Ionel, Vintilă, Dinu and Gheorghe I.I..C Brătianu, who contributed to the development of Romania in this time period. The diversified Bucharest politics and the emergence of the National Peasants Party lead to a powerful electoral campaign at the national level. The frequent government changes and the influence of King Carol II made the National Liberals to “say their piece”, and the assumed political and governmental activity displayed the consistency and clarity of the implemented reforms in view of Romania's development. The political activity and unshakeable faith in the liberal ideals lead the newly installed post-war regime to physically remove all political adversaries, including the two remarkable members of the Brătianu family Dinu and Gheorghe, sent to the sadly remembered Sighet prison.
