Travel Resources: The History of Bulgaria

Bulgaria is located in Southern Europe. It borders Romania, Serbia, the Republic of Macedonia, Greece and Turkey. Bulgaria is the 16 ^th largest country. Since the 7 ^th century Bulgaria has endeavored to unify Bulgarian ethnicity. The country fought for independence for centuries at a time. The following resources chronicle the struggles and triumphs of Bulgaria.

The Thracians , Slavs, and Bulgars

The history of Bulgaria starts wi th the Thracians . The Thracians were the first to be recorded as inhabitants. They were seen as barbarians by Greek neighbors. The Slavs consist of three main groups: West Slavs, East Slavs and Sou th Slavs. Bulgars were of Iranian descent. A group of Bulgars gave rise to the First Bulgarian Empire.

• The Thracians: Describes the cultural and religious beliefs of the Thracians .

• Slavs: A summarization of Slavic origin and affect the Slavs had on the Balkans.

• Origin of the Bulgars: Examines the characteristics, culture, religion and history of the Bulgars .

Old Great Bulgaria

In 632 A.D. Kubrat , a Bulgar ruler united the Kutrigua and Utigur tribes. This union formed Old Great Bulgaria. After Kubrat’ s dea th his two sons continued to rule Old Great Bulgaria. His oldest son Batbayan ruled Old Great Bulgar from 665 to 668 A.D. His son Khan Asparuh ruled until 681 A.D. The Kutrigua and Utigur union ended in 681 A.D.

• Old Great Bulgaria: An in-depth look at the history of Old Great Bulgaria’s political, geographical and war conflicts.

First Bulgarian Empire

Khan Asparuh conquered Moesia and Dobrudja after defeating Byzantium in 680 A.D. In 681 A.D. he established the Independent First Bulgarian Empire in the northeastern Balkans. Asparuh died in 770 A.D. during battle wi th the Khazars . After his death the First Bulgarian Empire went through many successors and expanded by occupying many lands. The First Bulgarian Empire ended in 1018 A.D.

• The First Bulgarian Empire: Over 337 pages of extensive research covering the history of the First Bulgarian Empire.

Byzantine Bulgaria

The Bulgars settled in the Balkan Peninsula to expand the Bulgarian Empire in the 5 th century. After Bulgaria settled into the peninsula they clashed wi th the Byzantines. The Byzantines conquered Bulgaria. The conquest of Bulgaria lasted for 50 years. Conflict between Byzantine and Bulgaria lasted 675 years.

•  Bulgaria's Relations with Byzantium: This paper outlines the effect Byzantium had on Bulgaria.

Second Bulgarian Empire

The Asen brothers led a successful revolt against the Byzantines in 1018 A.D. The revolt led to Bulgaria’s independence in 1185 A.D. Thus, the Second Bulgarian Empire in 1185 A.D. The Second Bulgarian Empire governed much of the Balkan Peninsula before losing independence in 1396 to the Ottoman Turks.

•  The Second Bulgarian Empire: A concise account of the restoration of Bulgaria’s independence.

Ottoman Bulgaria

The Ottoman rule destroyed Bulgarian nobility. Bulgarian peasants were forced to serve Turkish masters. The Ottoman’s governed Bulgaria for five centuries. This conquest destroyed significant amounts of written works and silenced Bulgarian culture. In 1878 Bulgaria gained independence from the Ottomans.  The Treaty of San Stefano imposed by Russia freed three-fifths of the Balkan Peninsula. 

• The Ottomans: Information on the civilization who were militarily and culturally significant.

National Awakening of Bulgaria

The Bulgarian National Awakening was inspired by liberalism and nationalism. An educated class of Bulgarians was influenced by the Greek revolt against the Ottomans in 1821. The revival began wi th Saint Paisius of Hilendar , a clergyman opposing the oppression of Bulgarian culture and religion by the Greeks. The National Awakening was a struggle for an independent Bulgarian church and an independent Bulgaria. By 1878 the majority of Bulgarian was liberated.

• Early Stages: Describes the early stages of the Bulgarian National Revival. Describes the reasons it took place and what influenced the revival.

Kingdom of Bulgaria

Independent Bulgaria extended over Moesia , Thrace and Macedonia. Bulgaria soon scaled back its borders because the Great Powers were not pleased the with balance of power. Macedonia and Eastern Thrace were ruled under the Sultan because of the shift of powers. Serbia and Romania gained several Bulgarian territories. The Kingdom of Bulgaria was united with Rumelia on September 6, 1885 because of the Internal Macedonian- Adrianople Revolutionary Organization. The revolution added other territories to the kingdom making it an independent country once again in 1908.

• Bulgarian Kingdom: This resource is has extensive supply of information on Bulgaria. It breaks down the all the kingdoms of Bulgaria describing each.

Balkan Wars

The Balkan Wars consisted of two wars that occurred in South Eastern Europe.  The first began on October 8, 1912. The Balkans initiated the first war by declaring war on the Turks (the Ottoman Empire). The seven-month war resulted in the Treaty of London and the removal of Turks from Europe. One month after the end of the first Balkan War, Bulgaria not pleased with the outlook of Macedonia ignited the second war. The Turks, Greeks and Romanians defeated Bulgaria on July 18, 1913. Bulgaria lost many of the territories obtained in the first war.

• Balkan Wars: An explicit look at both Balkan Wars. Includes articles on the liberation of territories that resulted from the war.

• The Ottomans: This paper describes the role of the Ottomans in the Balkan wars.

Bulgaria during World War I

Bulgaria fought in World War l on the side of the Germans, the Austro Hungarians and the Ottoman Empire. They began as participants in the war when they declared war on Serbia on October 15, 1915. Bulgaria won victories against Serbia and Romania. They occupied most of Macedonia and took Dobruja from Romania. Bulgaria fought until the Armistice of Thessalonica was signed on September 1918.

• Bulgaria in World War I: A Holocaust Memorial Museum article that depicts Bulgaria’s expansion and the persecution of Jews in Bulgaria.

Bulgaria During World War II

Bulgaria again fought alongside Germany but not until March 1, 1941. The country was passive in the beginning stages of the invasion of Yugoslavia and Greece. It wasn’t until April 20, 1941 that Bulgaria intensified its forces against Yugoslavia and Greece. The Greek government surrendered 10 days after intensification. Yugoslavia surrendered 3 days before Bulgaria intensified its force. Germany forced Bulgaria to declare war on the United Kingdom and the United States. Bulgarian cities were bombed by Allied aircraft soon after. Bulgaria throughout all of it did not join in the invasion of the Soviet Union. Bulgaria joined the Soviet Union on September 8 to fight against Nazi Germany. As a result of the war Georgi Dimitrov installed a Communist regime in Bulgaria.

• Bulgaria- World War ll: The paper describes Bulgaria’s role in World War ll.

Republic of Bulgaria

The Bulgarian Communist Party ruled the Peoples Republic of Bulgaria from 1944-1989. The government controlled every part of the culture of the Peoples Republic of Bulgaria. During the Communist Party Rule agriculture was collectivized. Labor camps were established housing nearly 100,000. In the later years around 1950 the standards of living rose significantly.  Agriculture production grew providing the first agricultural pension and welfare system.

• Development of Nuclear Power: Explains the stages of the nuclear power development program.

Bulgaria Since 1989

Agriculture success declined due to the Turk assimilation program, sending 300,000 Turks to Turkey. The Communist Party dropped its power voluntarily in February 1990. In June 1990 Bulgaria held its first free elections.

• Bulgarian Political Development, 1989-2003: An investigative look at the political development of Bulgaria during 1989-2003.

Bulgaria’s history has created achievements and downfalls that make up it economical and political diversity. These historical events are an unmistakable indication to the strength of Bulgarians in their fight for freedom and unification.