# Moldavian Democratic Republic

> former country

**Wikidata**: [Q964024](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q964024)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moldavian_Democratic_Republic)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/moldavian-democratic-republic

## Summary
The Moldavian Democratic Republic was a sovereign state established in December 1917 following the collapse of the Russian Empire. Declared in the region of Bessarabia with Chișinău as its capital, it existed for less than four months before uniting with Romania in March 1918.

## Key Facts
- **Inception**: December 2, 1917.
- **Dissolution**: March 27, 1918.
- **Capital**: Chișinău.
- **Official Language**: Romanian.
- **Area**: 44,399 square kilometers.
- **Population**: 2,700,000.
- **Coordinates**: 47.0222° N, 28.8172° E.
- **Preceded by**: Russian Republic (and previously the Russian Empire/Bessarabia Governorate).
- **Succeeded by**: Kingdom of Romania.
- **Legislative Body**: Sfatul Țării.
- **Native Name**: Republica Democratică Moldovenească.
- **Location of Formation**: Chișinău.
- **Instance of**: Historical country, sovereign state, former country.
- **Wikidata ID**: Q964024.

## FAQs
**When did the Moldavian Democratic Republic exist?**
The state was established on December 2, 1917, and was dissolved on March 27, 1918, lasting for a period of approximately four months.

**What was the capital and official language of the republic?**
Chișinău served as the capital city, and Romanian was the designated official language.

**Which territories were included in the Moldavian Democratic Republic?**
The republic encompassed the region of Bessarabia, covering an area of 44,399 square kilometers with a population of 2,700,000.

**Who governed the Moldavian Democratic Republic?**
The state was governed by a legislative body known as Sfatul Țării, with notable politicians including Pantelimon Erhan, Ștefan Ciobanu, and Daniel Ciugureanu playing key roles.

**What happened to the Moldavian Democratic Republic?**
The republic was short-lived and was succeeded by the Kingdom of Romania in March 1918 following a union vote.

## Why It Matters
The Moldavian Democratic Republic represents the first modern attempt at statehood in the Bessarabia region following the Russian Revolution. It served as a crucial transitional entity between the imperial administration of the Russian Empire and the integration of the region into the Kingdom of Romania. Its existence and subsequent union are central to the historical identity and geopolitical evolution of modern Moldova, marking a pivotal moment in the region's struggle for self-determination and sovereignty.

## Notable For
- Being the first independent Moldavian state formed in the 20th century.
- Declaring independence from the Russian Republic during the chaotic period of the Russian Revolution.
- Establishing Sfatul Țării as its national legislative assembly.
- Having a very brief lifespan of less than four months.
- Unifying with Romania, a decision that shaped the region's borders for the interwar period.

## Body

### History and Timeline
The Moldavian Democratic Republic emerged in the wake of the Russian Empire's collapse. It was officially established on December 2, 1917, succeeding the Russian Republic which had controlled the region briefly after the fall of the Tsarist autocracy. The republic's existence was brief; it was dissolved on March 27, 1918. Following its dissolution, the territory was succeeded by the Kingdom of Romania. The state was formed in Chișinău, which acted as its capital throughout its short history.

### Geography and Territory
The republic covered the historical region of Bessarabia. It spanned a total area of 44,399 square kilometers and had a population of approximately 2,700,000. The geographic center of the state was located at coordinates 47.0222° N latitude and 28.8172° E.

The territory included numerous cities and settlements that are currently part of Moldova and Ukraine. These included:
*   **Major Cities**: Chișinău (capital), Bălți, Bender, Soroca, Ungheni, Cahul, Comrat, Tighina (Bender), Orhei, and Tiraspol.
*   **Other Settlements**: Anenii Noi, Ceadîr-Lunga, Florești, Sîngerei, Taraclia, Lipcani, Fălești, Rezina, Căușeni, Călărași, Căinari, Basarabeasca, Hîncești, Dondușeni, Leova, Glodeni, Ialoveni, Khotyn, Sokyriany, Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi, Lozova, Giurgiulești, Mereșeuca, Horești, Vărăncău, Tîrnova, Cornești, Faraonivka, Artsyz, Meleșeni, Sadîc, Cobani, Giska, Scumpia, Văscăuți, Boghiceni, Codreanca, Nicolaevca, Shevchenkove, Izmail, Bolhrad, Novoselytsia, Kiliia, Reni, Plop, Arionești, Ciucur-Mingir, Bilicenii Vechi, Zgărdești, Orlivka, Căprești, Gordinești, Sărata Veche, Leușeni, Bursuceni, Rădoaia, Micăuți, Sculeni, Ștefănești, Elenovca, Mana, Flămînzeni, Oclanda, Kostychany, Țiganca, Opaci, Pîrlița, Băhrinești, Vladimireuca, and Ozerne.

### Government and Politics
The republic functioned as a sovereign state with its own governmental structures. The legislative authority was vested in Sfatul Țării, the national council. The official language of the state was Romanian. The administrative apparatus operated out of the capital, Chișinău, utilizing significant buildings such as the Sfatul Țării Palace.

### Notable Figures
Several politicians and leaders were associated with the Moldavian Democratic Republic, serving in various capacities within Sfatul Țării and the government. These individuals included:
*   Nadejda Grinfeld
*   Pantelimon Erhan
*   Anton Crihan
*   Guttman Landau
*   Anatolie Popa
*   Ștefan Ciobanu
*   Pavel Chior
*   Mihail Ciachir
*   Petru Cazacu
*   Dmitriy Topçu
*   Jacob Bernstein-Kogan
*   Alexander Schmidt
*   Daniel Ciugureanu

### Symbols and Identity
The state utilized specific national symbols to represent its sovereignty. The national flag was known as the "National flag of the Moldavian Democratic Republic.svg," and the coat of arms was derived from the "COA from Flag of Sfatul Tarii.svg." The native name of the state was "Republica Democratică Moldovenească."

## References

1. [Source](https://www.ceeol.com/search/article-detail?id=517859)
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013