The 1859 unification of Wallachia and Moldavia remains central to Romania’s national history. While Wallachia prospered, Moldavia faced economic decline and centralization from Bucharest. This project reexamines Moldavian separatism and regionalism through detailed source analysis, challenging outdated national narratives. By paralleling it with Risorgimento Italy, Moldavia is situated within broader European state-building processes, highlighting its relevance to international research.