The Legionnaires’ rebellion occurred in Bucharest, Romania, from January 21 to 23, 1941, and was orchestrated by the Iron Guard, also known as the Legionnaires(a fascist, ultra-nationalist movement). The Iron Guard had shared power with General Ion Antonescu in the National Legionary government, but tensions grew over authority and policy, especially regarding antisemitic persecution and control over state institutions.
Antonescu held that the expropriation and persecution of the jews should be done “legally”, gradually, through an orderly process of passing antisemitic laws. The Legionnaires led by Horia Sima(De-facto co-leader of Romania) on the other hand, wanted to rob as much as possible, as quickly as possible, utilizing methods based not in law but in terror, murder and torture.
Hitler and Wehrmacht preferred Ion Antonescu’s government because he offered military stability, cooperation and Romania’s valuable resources (oil, wheat)
Himmler’s SS and Goebbels sympathized with the Iron Guard, due to shared ideological extremism and radical anti-Semitism.
Conflict erupted when the Iron Guard attempted to seize full power in a coup, staging armed insurrection, occupying government buildings, and inciting public violence, particularly targeting Jews.
The Romanian Army and forces loyal to Antonescu responded forcefully, quickly regaining control over Bucharest. After few days of violent street fighting, the rebellion was crushed and the Iron Guard leadership fled(with the help of SS) or were arrested. Antonescu took this opportunity to dissolve the National Legionary State, ending the Iron Guard’s influence in Romania.
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The Legionnaires’ rebellion occurred in Bucharest, Romania, from January 21 to 23, 1941, and was orchestrated by the Iron Guard, also known as the Legionnaires(a fascist, ultra-nationalist movement). The Iron Guard had shared power with General Ion Antonescu in the National Legionary government, but tensions grew over authority and policy, especially regarding antisemitic persecution and control over state institutions.
Antonescu held that the expropriation and persecution of the jews should be done “legally”, gradually, through an orderly process of passing antisemitic laws. The Legionnaires led by Horia Sima(De-facto co-leader of Romania) on the other hand, wanted to rob as much as possible, as quickly as possible, utilizing methods based not in law but in terror, murder and torture.
Hitler and Wehrmacht preferred Ion Antonescu’s government because he offered military stability, cooperation and Romania’s valuable resources (oil, wheat)
Himmler’s SS and Goebbels sympathized with the Iron Guard, due to shared ideological extremism and radical anti-Semitism.
Conflict erupted when the Iron Guard attempted to seize full power in a coup, staging armed insurrection, occupying government buildings, and inciting public violence, particularly targeting Jews.
The Romanian Army and forces loyal to Antonescu responded forcefully, quickly regaining control over Bucharest. After few days of violent street fighting, the rebellion was crushed and the Iron Guard leadership fled(with the help of SS) or were arrested. Antonescu took this opportunity to dissolve the National Legionary State, ending the Iron Guard’s influence in Romania.