The Romanian occupation of Budapest ended the Council of Republic. However, the Eastern parts of the country had already been occupied long before that by the Romanian army that made a short-lived “ex lex” status by its dynamic thrust. The red forces fleeing from them lost control of certain cities that local civilians and/or soldiers had captured, in several cases clashing with the supporters of the dictatorship of the proletariat that stayed there. All this happened in two days in Oradea: 19–20th April, 1919. The city's contemporary events illustrate well all the issues and problems the civilian and military leaders faced who felt responsibility for the city and for the goods they were entrusted. Although the forces of the dictatorship of the proletariat could not defend the city, they even jeopardized it by not ending armed actions in the area. Thus, the citizens of Oradea not only had to prepare for the “welcoming” of the Romanians, but also had to keep the
reds away. The presentation of the related events in Oradea can even serve as a good basis for a
general examination of the issue.