Armand Călinescu, the Prime Minister of Romania, became a prominent figure in the nation's political landscape as he attempted to curb the growing influence of extremist movements, particularly the Iron Guard. The Iron Guard, known for its nationalistic and anti-Semitic agenda, often resorted to violence and intimidation to achieve its political goals. Călinescu's staunch stance against these methods made him a target for the Guard, which viewed his governance as an obstacle to their ambitions.

On the morning of September 21, 1939, Călinescu was assassinated by members of the Iron Guard in Bucharest. The assassination was not just a political act but a calculated maneuver to instill fear and assert the Guard's power within Romanian politics. This assassination was symbolic of the intense political violence that characterized Romania in the years leading up to World War II, as various factions struggled for dominance.

The consequences of Călinescu's murder were significant, leading to a crackdown on the Iron Guard by the government in an attempt to stabilize the political climate. His death galvanized the conflict between the government and far-right factions, as well as prompted further repression against Jews and other perceived enemies of the state. Călinescu's policies aimed at modernizing Romania's economy and military were left unfulfilled, leaving the country vulnerable in the turbulent years that followed.