Ion Câmpineanu remains one of the important figures of modern Romanian history, a cultured and patriotic boyar who tied his destiny to the great political and social struggles of the 19th century. He was among the first Wallachian boyars to wear the uniform of the new Romanian army, organized along European lines. 

A visionary boyar and officer of the new Romanian army

At a time of major change, when the Organic Regulations – imposed under Russian protectorate and accepted by the Ottoman Porte – governed the Romanian Principalities, Câmpineanu openly expressed his dissatisfaction with their limitations and contradictions.

The introduction in 1837 of an additional act, which strengthened the control of Russia and the Ottoman Empire over Wallachia, convinced him to take action. Aware that Romania’s future depended on a genuine constitution and a framework of political independence, he drafted two reference documents: The Special Act for the Appointment of the Sovereign and The Act of Union and Independence.

The fight for freedom and involvement in European movements

Câmpineanu’s vision was not limited to internal reforms. He embarked on diplomatic journeys to major European capitals – Paris, London, and Constantinople – seeking to attract the attention of Western powers to the Romanians’ plight. 

In his efforts, he found allies among Polish patriots, most notably Adam Czartoryski, former leader of the 1830–1831 Polish uprising and later the head of Polish exiles in Paris.

For Câmpineanu, the Romanian and Polish causes were inseparable: he could not imagine a free Romania without a free Poland. Unfortunately, the diplomatic reality of the time, dominated by Russian, Austrian, and Ottoman influence, thwarted these aspirations.

The National Party and constitutional projects

In 1838, under his leadership, the National Party – a political movement striving for Romania’s independence – drafted two key texts:

·       The Act of Union and Independence, a declaration of principles affirming the Romanians’ right to self-determination;

·       The Special Act for the Appointment of the Sovereign of the Romanians, a constitutional project that introduced advanced ideas: representative government, equality before the law, individual liberties, and the limitation of the absolute power of the ruler.

This project, sometimes called the “Constitution of the Romanians,” expressed the desire of a generation to move from externally imposed regimes to a modern and democratic political framework.

Travels and international contacts

Between 1839 and 1840, Câmpineanu traveled extensively, often clandestinely, in an attempt to secure international support for the Romanian cause. He crossed the frozen Danube to reach Constantinople, rode through Anatolia, and then, together with his friend Felix Colson, arrived in Paris. 

There he met Adam Czartoryski and important French figures such as Adolphe Thiers and Garnier-Pagès. In August 1839, he took part in founding the Society for the Education of the Romanian People, alongside Ion Ghica, Dimitrie Brătianu, and A. G. Golescu, an organization dedicated to Romania’s cultural and national renewal.

Later, he traveled to London, where he was received by Lord Palmerston. Although he received promises of support, the political realities of the time meant these remained only words.

Arrest and imprisonment

His activity did not go unnoticed. In November 1839, Russian diplomacy demanded his exile, and Metropolitan Neofit excluded him from the Assembly. Returning to the country, Câmpineanu was arrested at Lugoj by the Austrians and handed over to Wallachian authorities. 

Between 1840 and 1841, he was imprisoned at the monasteries of Mărgineni and Plumbuita. During this time, a popular song circulated, calling for his release: “Come, brothers, to Mărgineni / To free Câmpineanu.”

Released after about a year but gravely ill, he temporarily withdrew from politics. However, in 1848, during the Revolution, he returned to the forefront and became Minister of Justice in the provisional government.

Cultural contributions and legacy

Beyond politics, Ion Câmpineanu also contributed to the cultural life of his time. He was one of the founders of the Philharmonic Society in 1833, which played a vital role in the development of Wallachian musical and cultural life.

He also owned several properties in Bucharest, including the well-known Câmpineanu Inn, located on Podul Mogoșoaiei (today Calea Victoriei), in the Doamnei neighborhood. On its site, the Macca-Vilacrosse Passage was later built, now a landmark of Bucharest’s old center.

His legacy was carried on by his son, Ion I. Câmpineanu (1841–1888), an important politician who served as Minister of Justice, Minister of Finance, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mayor of Bucharest, and Governor of the National Bank of Romania.

Why a street in central Bucharest bears his name

Ion Câmpineanu Street, located today in central Bucharest, is no coincidence. It stands as a tribute to a man who, in a time dominated by external pressures and imposed regimes, had the courage to think and fight for a free, independent, and modern Romania.

The constitutional projects and political writings he left behind, though not immediately implemented, inspired future generations. The presence of his name in the heart of the Capital serves as a daily reminder of the ideals for which he fought.

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