Despite remaining de-facto independent for the past three decades, we only have a limited understanding of the circumstances that led to the creation of the Transnistrian Moldavian Republic (T.M.R.). There are several established facts: the Transnistrian separatist movement was initially led by industrial elites, such as factory directors from the region’s largest enterprises, and de-facto independence was only secured following direct military intervention from Russia. Beyond this, however, our understanding of the origins of the T.M.R. is somewhat limited. Questions such as how the separatists took control of the entire region, not just the de-facto capital, or how local ethnic Moldovans responded to the secession movement remain unaddressed. This thesis makes a considerable contribution to the historiography of Transnistria, as well as the field of de-facto states research, by re-examining the origins of the T.M.R. Unlike previous studies, which tend to take the international relations approach and focus on the role of external actors, such as Russia, or socio-economic developments in the de-facto capital, this thesis examines the local dynamics of the conflict. Drawing on an extensive range of archival research conducted in both Transnistria and Moldova, this thesis demonstrates how the separatists effectively used the reforms of perestroika to seize power across the entire region. Additionally, it highlights that while support for secession was high, it was by no means unanimous and that many rural ethnic Moldovans actively opposed secession. Overall, this thesis sheds new light on the origins of the Transnistrian War, showing how support for the separatists was not always unconditional and how even ordinary people actively supported the secession project