Ernst Johann von Biron vs Ferdinand I of Romania

With the support of Empress Anna of Russia, Ernst Johann von Biron was elected Duke of Courland. He ruled the duchy as a Russian client, implementing policies favorable to St. Petersburg.

Following the death of Empress Anna, Biron was arrested by Field Marshal Burkhard Christoph von M

Catherine the Great restored Biron to the Duchy of Courland. He returned from exile and ruled again until 1769, when he abdicated in favor of his son Peter von Biron.

Ferdinand I became King of Romania on October 10, 1914, following the death of his uncle, King Carol I. He inherited a kingdom at a critical moment, as World War I had just begun, and Romania was initially neutral.

Ferdinand I signed the Treaty of Bucharest with the Allies on August 17, 1916, committing Romania to enter World War I on their side. Romania declared war on Austria-Hungary on August 27, 1916, aiming to annex Transylvania.

Following the collapse of Austria-Hungary, the Great National Assembly of Alba Iulia proclaimed the union of Transylvania with Romania on December 1, 1918. Ferdinand I ratified this union, fulfilling a key national goal and greatly expanding Romania's territory.

Ferdinand I signed the Agrarian Reform Law of 1921, which expropriated large estates and redistributed land to peasants. This reform aimed to address rural poverty and create a stable class of small landowners, but it also weakened the traditional aristocracy.

Ferdinand I and Queen Marie were crowned in a grand ceremony at Alba Iulia on October 15, 1922, symbolizing the unification of all Romanian provinces. The coronation affirmed the creation of Greater Romania after World War I.