in end of 1930s, romania's liberal democracy was slowly being replaced by the fascist dictatorship. the archangel michael legion, known as the iron guard organization, was led by corneliu codreanu zelea. in 1937 elections the party supported adolf hitler and nazism and got 15.5% of the votes and became the third biggest party. in 1938 king carol ii of romania seized power over romania. he dissolved all political parties and executed corneliu codreanu zelea along with 12 other leaders.