Why did Romania experience so many massive, almost comically drastic border changes between 1859 and 1947? Were they nothing but a dumping ground for unwanted Balkan territory?

by st_sebastian

For reference, Romania's territorial evolution can be seen in this GIF.

sub_stitute

Well, if by "comically drastic" you mean the fall of 2 and 1/2 neighboring empires, than yeah, you could put it that way. Or if you consider the "dumping ground for unwanted Balkan teritory" the rich(-est at the time) in oil, gold, fertile land, etc, etc, etc.