The Origins of Racism in Romania. A History of Ideas

In the present study the author sketches the route of the nationalist-xenophobic discourse which characterized the Romanian society during the first half on the 19th century (1825-1880). The first hypothesis is that the antisemitic legislation promoted in Romania during Carol II and Antonescu's regime found its legitimacy in the antisemitic discourses promoted by the political and cultural elite of the era. The second hypothesis is that the antisemitic, nationalist and xenophobic feelings of this elite are strongly linked with the grand plan which aimed at creating a Romanian national identity in conformity with the general values of the 19th century.