Kingdom of Bulgaria

**Kingdom of Bulgaria** (Bulgarian: Кралство България), officially known as Bulgaria, is a despotic monarchy located in the eastern Balkans of continental Europe. Its capital is Sofia.

## **HISTORY**

### **Branching**

The Russian Empire, victorious in the Caucasus conflict, granted independence to Bulgaria as a principality. This was part of Russia's Balkan policy and also served as preparation for a future puppet state. However, Bulgaria, which gained influence and military power through the Balkan Wars, emerged as a kingdom contrary to Russia's expectations. Despite its defeat in the Second Balkan War, Bulgaria continued to escape Russian influence. In 1915, Bulgaria joined the Central Powers as a condition for realizing Greater Bulgaria, among other factors. However, in 1916, Bulgaria withdrew from the war. With the Russian control of the Black Sea, no further support could be expected from the allies, and it was evident that continuing the war would lead to disaster. King Ferdinand was forced to abdicate by the moderate faction led by Prince Boris, and a ceasefire agreement was reached between the interim government and the Allied powers.

### **Expansion of the Left**

The expansion of the Left began during the Great War. Prince Boris's coup d'état led to the formation of the Democratic People's Union in Varna, and the coup caused turmoil in the country, necessitating the blockade of Sofia due to the uprising of some opposition forces. In the 1920s, the Democratic People's Union split into the People's Party and the Democratic League, while the underground organization known as the Sacred Order also expanded. The announcement of the People's Party's People's Revolution Doctrine in 1927 and the Democratic League's Declaration of Freedom Revolution in 1929 contributed to this expansion.

### **Assassination of Boris III**

These announcements empowered the domestic left-wing forces, and in the quest for stability, all political parties were banned. Boris III was widely disliked throughout the country, and in 1931, during his visit to the Thrace region, he was shot and killed with a pistol by a Greek-descendant youth from the extreme left (the People's Party) who suddenly emerged from an alley.

### **Tsar Cyril**

The sudden death of his brother Boris caused confusion within Bulgaria and the royal family. Grand Duke Cyril established an interim government as regent but faced a challenging situation. The year 1932 was a period of turmoil in Bulgaria. In March, the People's Movement by the People's Party occurred, and in August, the National Freedom War by the Democratic League took place. Cyril was criticized for suppressing freedom of speech from within the country while trying to quell these events. In May 1933, Cyril ascended to the throne as Tsar (King).

## POLITLCS

### **Political Organization**

#### **Bulgarian People's Party(BPP)**

This party, led by Georgi Dimitrov, was formed in 1920 in Thrace, as a far-left political party that split from the Democratic People's Union in 1919. Half of its members were from different ethnic groups (minorities) within Bulgaria, and the party's regulations also advocate for the establishment of autonomous regions for these minority groups, reflecting a pro-minority stance.

#### **Bulgarian Democratic League(BDL)**

Led by Stancho Todorov, the Democratic League was an organization that brought together both left and right-wing factions that had split from the Democratic People's Union in 1919.

#### **Sacred Party**

The Sacred Order was an underground organization formed by Rash Putini, who had been exiled from Russia. Followers captivated by Rash Putini's mystical charisma aimed to establish a mystical state.

#### **Zveno**

Zveno, centered around Kimon Georgiev, is an extreme-right political organization. They criticize the Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization and advocate for reforms in Bulgaria, including the abolition of the party system and the introduction of a new economy. How do the people view them as they seek to implement these changes?