Ion Antonescu

Ion Victor Antonescu (June 15, 1882 - June 1, 1946) was a Romanian military officer who became Prime Minister of Romania, and eventually, it's supreme leader. Ion Victor had gained a war hero's status due to his actions in the 1907 Peasant Revolt, and in World War I. This status helped propel him in the fascist political movements in Romania. After attaining the postiont of Prime Minister he lead a coup that exiled King Carlo II. By popular demand, Carlo's son, Micheal I, was appointed King of Romania. However it was Ion, as 'Leader of the People' who continued to hold supreme power.

During the war Ion's administration supplied more aid to the Axis powers then anyother member of the alliance. During his rule, 300,000 Romanian Jews where either deported, or killed. Ion however did prevent the death of Jews who where part of the old families of Romania, in order to keep the nations economy in good order. Ion was eventually overthrown by Micheal I when Romania faced Communist Revolt.

When the soviets gained influence, Micheal handed Ion over to soviet athorities who put him on trail for war crimes, and found him guilty. Ion was executed on June 1, 1946. Many Romanian nationalist where appauled that their hero had been judged so, and pointed out the unfair nature of the trail. Ion's case was latter re-examined by an international review, which found the proceeding unjust, but the outcome true in it's judgement.