Dictatul de la Viena prin ochii ministrului de Externe al României: „În clipa aceea, mi-am pierdut cunoştinţa” • Newsweek România

The Vienna Dictate of August 30, 1940, marked a significant loss for Romania, as it ceded northern Transylvania to Hungary. Foreign Minister Mihai Manoilescu fainted upon seeing the territorial changes imposed by Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy. This event followed Romania's earlier losses of Bessarabia and Northern Bukovina to the Soviet Union. The negotiations between Romania and Hungary failed, leading to the intervention of Hitler, who sought to balance the interests of both nations while maintaining access to Romanian oil. Ultimately, Romania lost 43,492 square kilometers and over 2.6 million residents, with the new borders guaranteed by Germany and Italy. Manoilescu's personal account reflects the shock and despair felt during this critical moment in Romanian history.