In 1940, a diplomatic decree forced Romania to surrender half of Transylvania
In a high-stakes diplomatic maneuver during World War II, the Second Vienna Award bypassed the residents of Transylvania and redrew the borders of Eastern Europe with the stroke of a pen.
On August 30, 1940, Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy acted as 'arbitrators' to settle a territorial dispute between Romania and Hungary. The resulting decree forced Romania to cede nearly 17,000 square miles of Northern Transylvania to Hungary. This move was a strategic play by Hitler to ensure both nations remained cooperative with the Axis powers.
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