GRIPA SPANIOLĂ ŞI UNIREA DE LA 1 DECEMBRIE 1918
The Spanish Flu and the 1st of December 1918 Union

Summary/Abstract: The National Assembly, scheduled for Alba-Iulia in 1st of December 1918, was meant to proclaim the Union of Transylvania, Banat, and Partium (parts of the Austro-Hungarian Empire until 1918, but having a Romanian ethnic majority) with the Kingdom of Romania. Among the worst enemies for the organization of this Assembly was the Spanish Influenza. Towards the end of 1918, explanations about this pandemic were partly modern. The newspapers of Transylvania made some efforts to depict the Spanish flu emphasizing a scientific dimension, sometimes giving space for the doctors’ discussions, although theories without scientific support were present as well. In some countries around the world there were modern procedures taken against the spread of the flu, like wearing the mask or like the interdiction to organize events with numerous population, but in Transylvania, at the end of the war, it appeared that very few cared for real measures regarding the pandemic. The major imperatives of the period were 100% towards the national emancipation. There was also a vacuum of authority which needed to be filled. The deputies for the National Assembly were elected within 4-7 days before the event established to take place in Alba-Iulia. A significant number of them got sick in this period, becoming unable to make the trip to Alba-Iulia. Most of them sent telegrams to the Assembly’s organizers, specifying that they were victims of the Spanish flu and that they were forced to stay in bed. Some of those afflicted were replaced by substitutes already elected. Nevertheless, other Romanian leaders, although being very ill, made a considerable effort and managed to be present at the event. Carrying the flu germs (knowledge about viruses was extremely limited) and putting others in danger was not seen as a major problem.

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