The Second Vienna Award marked a significant diplomatic agreement that led to the reassignment of Northern Transylvania from Romania to Hungary. It was orchestrated by Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy as part of their broader geopolitical strategies during World War II. This award was a continuation of efforts from the first Vienna Award, which had previously altered borders in favor of Hungary. The decision was taken after intense discussions between the involved parties, offering Hungary a considerable territorial claim that included a diverse population, predominantly consisting of ethnic Romanians, Hungarians, and other minorities. This shift was primarily motivated by the desire of the Axis powers to strengthen Hungary's position in Eastern Europe and to remove potential threats to their own development during an expansionist era.

Located in the heart of Eastern Europe, Northern Transylvania was significant due to its resource-rich lands and strategic positioning. The Vienna Award did not merely revise the map; it affected the lives of millions who found themselves under new national governance. Subsequent to the award, the Hungarian government implemented measures aimed at assimilation and control over the newly acquired territories, igniting tension and resentment among the Romanian population. The enforcement of this decision was complex, with frequent tensions arising between the different ethnic communities, leading to a legacy of strife that would be felt long after the war's conclusion.