Bulgarian Provisional Government

The **Bulgarian Republic**, also known as the **Bulgarian Provisional Government**, was a state that existed from October 3, 1912, when Tsar Ferdinand I abdicated after a defeat in the Second Balkan War, to October 17, when the government building was stormed and the Provisional Government was executed.

## History

### Aftermath of the Second Balkan War and the Abdication of the Tsar.

After Bulgaria was betrayed by the Balkan League and lost much of the territory they gained, many people called for the Abdication of Tsar Ferdinand I. Ferdinand, not wanting to lose his title, cracked down on protesters. It all came to a head when on November 1, a communist named Georgi Dimitrov Mihaylov was brutally attacked by police and killed in a public square. This caused an uproar, and the next day, huge protest carrying photos of Mihaylov broke out in Sofia and attacked the police. The next day, on November 3, realising that his title was lost, Tsar Ferdinand I abdicated. Many of the protestors were hoping that his 18-year old son Boris would take control, but instead, the Prime Minister, Aleksandar Malinov, declared the foundation of a Bulgarian Republic.

### The Reign of the Tsar President.

Malinov proved himself to be an autocratic dictator. During his 11-month presidency, he would gain many nicknames, such as the "Tsar President" and Tsar Aleksandar II. He would crack down on anyone who opposed his regime. His second in command would be Admiral Dimitar Dobrev. Dobrev would be his eyes and ears in the military, reporting any coup reports or mutinies. He was rewarded as becoming head of the military. Dobrev was hated among his coleagues, being called "Malinov's Pet."

### Prince Oskar's coup.

Germany, realizing the potential of Bulgaria in the coming conflict, formatted a plan. German soliders were sent in small groups to contact Bulgarian monarchists to begin a coup. After a few weeks of buildup, Kaiser Wilhelm II sent his fifth son, Oskar, to Bulgaria on talks of an alliance. Prince Oskar met with Admiral Dobrev on October 11. Oskar proposed an alliance between the two, on the condition that the Tsardom be restored and an Army revival take place. Dobrev immediatly refused. Oskar would go to his hotel, where he would stay for 4 days getting in contact with the coup leaders. On October 15, Oskar sent the word for the coup to begin. German soliders and bulgarian rebels began emerging from their homes and began firing upon pro-republican solidiers. In Sofia, a battle erupted between Monarchists and republicans. for the next two days, the monarchists began pushing towards the Presidental Palace, where the Provisional Government had take refuge. On October 17, Prince Oskar led a final attack against the palace. After heavy firefighting, Malinov and Dobrev would surrender. A quick trial was thrown together a mere 15 minutes after the surrender, with solidiers that fought against the republic being the jury, and Oskar being the prosecutor. After a mere 5 minutes, the jury found Malinov, Dobrev, and the 5 other leaders guilty of treason. They were sentenced to death. Prince Oskar took the defendants, lined them up against the wall. The same soliders who had been the jury began to open fire. Before the firing began, Malinov shouted "Long live the Republic!" before being gunned down. Therefore ending the short lived republic.