Modern History of Bulgaria 1877–1946

1877–1878 Liberation from the Ottoman Empire

The Russo-Turkish War of 1877–1878 ended with Bulgaria’s liberation from nearly 500 years of Ottoman rule. Russian troops helped the Bulgarians win their freedom, with major battles taking place across the country.

March 1878 The Treaty of San Stefano

After the war, the Treaty of San Stefano was signed between Russia and the Ottoman Empire. It created a large Bulgarian state that included most of Macedonia and Thrace. However, Britain and France believed this new Bulgaria would be controlled by Russia. Because of this, they refused to support the treaty.

July 1878 The Congress of Berlin

Soon after, the Congress of Berlin changed the agreement. Bulgaria was split into three parts:

The Principality of Bulgaria, with its capital in Sofia, became mostly independent Customized Tour Bulgaria.

Eastern Rumelia, a separate province, remained under Ottoman control but had its own local government.

Macedonia was returned to direct Ottoman rule.

1879–1908 Building a New State

In 1879, a German aristocrat named Alexander of Battenberg became the first prince of the new Bulgarian state. In 1885, the people of Eastern Rumelia declared a union with Bulgaria, strengthening the country. Two years later, in 1887, Prince Ferdinand of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha replaced Alexander after a coup.

In 1908, Ferdinand declared full independence from the Ottoman Empire. He also proclaimed Bulgaria a kingdom and took the title Tsar (King).

1912–1913 The Balkan Wars

Bulgaria joined Serbia and Greece to fight the Ottoman Empire during the First Balkan War. Together, they defeated the Ottomans and pushed them out of Macedonia and Thrace. But soon after, the former allies turned against Bulgaria in the Second Balkan War, seizing land Bulgaria had hoped to keep. Bulgaria lost large parts of Macedonia to Serbia and Greece.

1915–1918 World War I

During World War I, Bulgaria sided with Germany and Austria-Hungary. It hoped to regain lost territories. However, a Serbian, French, and British attack in Macedonia led to Bulgaria’s defeat. In 1918, Tsar Ferdinand abdicated, and his son, Boris III, became king.

1919–1930s Political Turmoil

In 1919, the Peasant Party, led by Aleksandar Stamboliyski, won elections and promised big changes. But in 1923, he was murdered by far-right forces. After that, Bulgaria was ruled by several authoritarian governments with little public support.

1941–1944 World War II and Soviet Invasion

In 1941, Bulgaria joined Nazi Germany in World War II. In 1943, Tsar Boris III died, and his son Simeon II, only six years old, became king. In September 1944, the Soviet Red Army invaded Bulgaria, and the Fatherland Front, supported by the USSR, took power.

1946 End of the Monarchy

In September 1946, Bulgaria was declared a People’s Republic. The monarchy was abolished, and Communist rule began. In October 1946, Georgi Dimitrov, a long-time communist leader, became Prime Minister. He introduced major economic changes and started the oppression of political opponents, marking the start of communist rule in Bulgaria.