Shared History and Kinship: An Exploration of Hungarian-Romanian Relations

The perspective of 'Hungarian-Romanian kinship' or brotherhood is currently absent from either nation's national mythologies. Historical antagonism and territorial disputes make it unlikely that such a view will gain widespread acceptance soon, yet a brief period in history presents a compelling exception to this trend.

The 1848 Revolutions: A Moment of Solidarity

A brief exception to this lack of kinship occurred among Romanians in Criana, then known as Partium, during the 1848 revolutions. Many of these Romanians sided with the Hungarians in their conflict with the Habsburg monarchy, driven by both social and ideological reasons.

Social Upliftment and Ideological Alignment

The Hungarian Parliament had recently passed social reforms that uplifted the Partium Romanians, making them sympathetic to the Hungarian revolution's liberal ideals. Pavel Papp de Popa, a veteran of the 1848 Revolution, participated in battles against Transylvanian Romanian revolutionaries. He recalled, 'When the revolutions broke out in Banat and Transylvania, we declared in our students assembly that the good of the homeland is dependent upon the solidarity of all nationalities, especially Romanians and Hungarians. Public welfare is the result of the close cooperation of the citizens of different languages throughout the homeland.'

The Hungarian Cause: Support from the Orthodox and Greek-Catholic Churches

Not only did the Partium Romanians rally to the Hungarian cause, but the Greek-Catholic or Uniate Church and the Orthodox believers also expressed support for the Hungarian revolution. Bishop Vasile Erdeli-Ardeleanu of the Uniate Diocese of Oradea-Mare stated, 'Having to thank the generosity of the noble Hungarian nation for all this we owe it to them to be grateful and ready to defend the Constitution of our homeland with all our might in the conviction that Hungarians and Romanians are the best of brothers.'

A Pressing Fear: Serbian Domination

Despite the support from key figures and communities, the Partium Romanians were wary of the repercussions that might follow if the revolution failed. They feared the Serbian-dominated Karlovci metropolis might exert greater control over Orthodox Romanians. The local Romanian Orthodox clergy responded to a Serbo-russeauinst proclamation with a decisive rejection, stating, 'We reject this proclamation and do not welcome it. We do not follow its call and we do not allow ourselves to be seduced into errant ways. On the contrary, both the proclamation and the letter with which it was sent to us as means by which it was intended to disturb the peaceful relations that have existed between Hungarians and Romanians until 1848, we will deposit them in the hands of the supreme committee of the county as evidence of our patriotism.'

The Aftermath and Modern Context

While the 1848 revolutions saw a degree of convergence, historical events have generally set the Hungarian and Romanian populations against each other. This brief period of cooperation and friendship, though limited geographically, is an eloquent example of how fluid and subjective national animosities and allegiances truly are.

In conclusion, the 1848 revolutions highlighted moments of kinship and shared experiences between Partium Romanians and Hungarians. While current national narratives do not often emphasize this historical bond, it serves as a valuable lesson on the complexity of inter-ethnic relations and the potential for unity in face of common challenges.

Key Points to Consider

Historical context: The 1848 revolutions saw a period of cooperation between Partium Romanians and Hungarians despite their broader differences. Cultural and ideological alignment: The social reforms and liberal ideals of the Hungarian Parliament uplifted the Partium Romanians, fostering a sense of solidarity. National sentiments: Both the Orthodox and Greek-Catholic churches supported the Hungarian cause, emphasizing a sense of shared destiny.

This exploration of Hungarian-Romanian kinship and the shared history during the 1848 revolutions sheds light on the complex relations between these two non-Slavic nations surrounded by Slavic countries.