Carol II (1893-1953) was king of Romania from 1930 to 1940. He tried to prevent Germany from dominating Romania before World War II (1939-1945), but failed.
Carol was born in Sinaia, Romania, on Oct. 15, 1893. In 1925, he gave up his right to the throne because of his love for a commoner, Magda Lupescu. In 1930, the government repealed the law that kept Carol from the throne, and he became Romania’s king.
The Iron Guard, a fascist (extremely patriotic and militarist) movement, charged that Carol’s rule was corrupt. Carol had its leader assassinated and, in 1938, made himself dictator. He outlawed the Iron Guard and all political parties. In 1940, Germany forced Carol to give parts of Romania to Bulgaria, Hungary, and the Soviet Union. The Iron Guard helped force Carol from the throne. His son Michael succeeded him. Carol died on April 4, 1953.
