Romanian Youth Group Uniforms

Figure 1.--Romanian was becoming ungonvernable King Carol II seized control of the Government and adopted dictatorial powers (1937). The Government established the National Renaissance Front to replace the fractous parliamentary system. The Government closed down the Scouting movement and other youth groups to create the Străjeria--a single national youth group as a unifying step. There were both boys and girls divisions. This is a girls' group in 1939.

We know of no youth organizations in Romania until the Boy Scouts inspired by Lord Baden Powell was organized. The first Scours were organized in Romania just before the outbreak of World War I (1914). The Romanian Scout asocuation was Cercetaşii României. Scouts were active on the home front during the War. The Romanian Scouts were a founding member of the World Scouting Movement after the War. Scouting flourished in Romania during the inter-War period as a basically middle class movement. The first Romanian Jamboree was held (1930). Both Fascism and Communism grew in importance after the Depression began and the NAZIs seized power in Germany. This affected the attitudes of toung people and extremist groups began to organize with youth auxileries. Scouting remained a largely apolitical oasis among the increasingly devisive Romanian society. Romanian was becoming ungonvernable King Carol II seized control of the Government and adopted dictatorial powers (1937). The Government established the National Renaissance Front to replace the fractous psrliamentary system. The Government closed down the Scouting movement and other youth groups to create the Străjeria--a single national youth group as a unifying step. Romania was forced by the NAZIs to enter the Axis and eventually World War II as a German ally. In the final year of the War, the Soviet Red Army entered and occupied Romania (1944). Scouters attempted to revive the Scouting movement, but this proved politically dangerous. The Communist Government forced on Romania by the occupying Soviets set up the Young Pioner movement--a manditory Communist group. Alternstive youth groups were outlawed. The overthrow of Communism resulted in the collapse of the Pioneer Movement which had no real support outside of the Communist Party (1989). Cercetaşii României was reestablished (1991). It was recognized by the WOSM (1993).

Boy Scouts

We know of no youth organizations in Romania until the Boy Scouts inspired by Lord Baden Powell was organized. The first Scouts were organized in Romania just before the outbreak of World War I. A Boy Scout patrol was organized (1912). The individuals involved in organizing Scouting were a group of professors, physicians, soldiers, and other professionaks (Gheorghe Munteanu-Murgoci, Alexandru Borza, Vladimir Ghidionescu, Constantin Costa-Foru, Nicolae Iorga, Ion G. Duca and Colonel G. Berindei). They traveled widely and were familiar in the youth groups being organized in other European countries. The Romanian Scout asociation was Cercetaşii României (1915). In the same year a translation of Baden Powell's Scouting for Boys was published. Baden-Powell sent a congratulatory message and advised the Romanian Scouts of the importance of adapting the program to local conditions. Romania entered World War on the side of the Allies (1915). Scouts were active on the home front during the War. The Romanian Scouts were a founding member of the World Scouting Movement after the War. Romanian Boy Scouts attended the first World Jamboree in London, England. Scouting flourished in Romania during the inter-War period as a basically middle class movement. Patrols were formed in towns and villages throughout Romanuia. Romanian Scouts organized camps, socials, expeditions and spectacles. They published magazines, literary writings and pedagogical studies. A particularly active Scouter was the noted philosopher Mircea Eliade. The first Romanian Jamboree was held (1930). There were approximately 45,000 members in addition to 14,000 Guides. The organizer and Chief of the Guides Movement was Princess Ileana, the daughter of King Carol and Queen Marie. The Scouts were disbanded by King Carol when he moved to create the National Renaissance Front. part of that effort was single national youth group--the Străjeria. Romania was forced into the Axis by the Germans and entered the War as an Axis ally. At the end of the War, the Soviets occupied Romania and installed a Communist Government. Scouters were not allowed to organize, sxome were evenn arrested. The Communusts created the mandatory Young Pioneers. After the fall of +Communism, the Young Pioneers disappeared (1989). Cercetaşii României was reestablished (1991). It was recognized by the WOSM (1993).

Străjeria

Both Fascism and Communism grew in importance after the Depression began and the NAZIs seized power in Germany. This affected the attitudes of toung people and extremist groups began to organize with youth auxileries. Scouting remained a largely apolitical oasis among the increasingly devisive Romanian society. Romanian was becoming ungonvernable King Carol II seized control of the Government and adopted dictatorial powers (1937). The Government established the National Renaissance Front to replace the fractous parliamentary system. The Government closed down the Scouting movement and other youth groups to create the Străjeria--a single national youth group as a unifying step. There were both boys and girls divisions. Romania was forced by the NAZIs to enter the Axis and eventually World War II as a German ally.

Unknown Youth Group

We notice photographs of Romanian boys in military uniforms during the inter-War era. We have no idea just what the youth group was. There seems to have been a military connection. Not only are the boys who look to be about 10-years old wearing military-styled uniforms. Th grouo leader appears to be a Romanian military officer. The postcard-back photograph looks to date from about 1930. They are preumably a nationlist group, be we have no information in them. Hopefully Romanian readers will be able to tell us more.

Young Pioneers

In the final year of the War, the Soviet Red Army entered and occupied Romania (1944). Scouters attempted to revive the Scouting movement, but this proved politically dangerous. The Communist Government forced on Romania by the occupying Soviets set up the Young Pioner movement--a mandatory Communist group. Alternative youth groups were outlawed. As in the Soviet Union, the Pioneers were a school based youth group. We have been unable to find much information about the Pioneer movement in Romania. Given th number of children involved and the four decades tht the Communists contrilled Romania, this seems remarkable. It was a mandatory movement and just like school, all children had to participate. The Pioneers as a school-based group basically used the school uniform as the youth group uniform. The communist regime by 1948 had firmly installed itself in Romania and had reimposed school uniforms The school unform regulations became stricter. Students were not alowed to participate in classes without the appropriate school uniform. Each school uniform had to have the record number and the name of the institution where the student was attending sewed on it for identification. The unifom consisted of Pioneer caps (white for primary school students and black for secondary school students), white long sleeved shirts, dark blue linen trousers/skirts. We have noted different colors over time. A red knecershief was added and the edges decorated with the Romanian flag. It was tightened with a plastic accessory (woggle). The overthrow of Communism resulted in the collapse of the Pioneer Movement which had no real support outside of the Communist Party (1989).