Bulgarian unification

Quick Facts: Who was Bulgarian unification?

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Bulgarian unification

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The 1885 political act unifying the Principality of Bulgaria and Eastern Rumelia.

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Origins & Early Life

The Unification of Bulgaria (Bulgarian: Съединение на България, romanized: Suedinenie na Bulgariya) was the act of unification of the Principality of Bulgaria and the province of Eastern Rumelia in the autumn of 1885. It was co-ordinated by the Bulgarian Secret Central Revolutionary Committee (BSCRC). Both had been parts of the Ottoman Empire, but the principality had functioned de facto independently whilst the Rumelian province was autonomous and had an Ottoman presence. The unification was accomplished after revolts in Eastern Rumelian towns, followed by a coup on 18 September [O.S. 6 September] 1885 supported by the Bulgarian Prince Alexander I. The BSCRC, formed by Zahari Stoyanov, began actively popularizing the idea of unification by means of the press and public demonstrations in the spring of 1885. The 10th Russo-Turkish War ended with the signing of the preliminary Treaty of San Stefano, which cut large territories from the Ottoman Empire.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Bulgaria was resurrected after 482 years of foreign rule, albeit as a principality under Ottoman suzerainty. The Russian diplomats knew that Bulgaria would not remain within these borders for very long – the San Stefano peace was called "preliminary" by the Russians themselves. The Congress of Berlin began on 13 June [O.S. 1 June] 1878 and ended on 13 July [O.S. 1 July] 1878 with the Berlin Treaty that created a vassal Bulgarian state in the lands between the Balkans and the Danube. The area between the Balkan Mountains and the Rila and Rhodope Mountains became an autonomous Ottoman province called Eastern Rumelia. The separation of southern Bulgaria into a different administrative region was a guarantee against the fears expressed by Great Britain and Austria-Hungary that Bulgaria would gain access to the Aegean Sea, which logically meant that Russia was getting closer to the Mediterranean.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The third large portion of Treaty-of-Berlin Bulgaria, Macedonia, remained within the Ottoman borders as it had been before the war. In these conditions it was natural that Bulgarians in Bulgaria, Eastern Rumelia and Macedonia all strived for unity. The first attempt was made in 1880. The new British prime minister, William Ewart Gladstone (who had strongly supported the Bulgarian cause in the past) made Bulgarian politicians hope that the British policy on the Eastern Question was about to change, and that it will support and look favourably upon an eventual union. Unfortunately, the Second Gladstone ministry did not bring a change in Great Britain's interests.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1878: 1878 Milestone — 1 June] 1878 and ended on 13 July [O.
2. 1880: 1880 Milestone — The first attempt was made in 1880.
3. 1885: 1885 Milestone — The Unification of Bulgaria (Bulgarian: Съединение на България, romanized: Suedinenie na Bulgariya) was the act of unification of the Principality of Bulgaria and the province of Eastern Rumelia in the autumn of 1885.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Bulgarian unification

True or False: “The unification process was entirely peaceful, relying solely on diplomatic negotiations with Great Britain.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The unification involved active revolts in Eastern Rumelian towns and culminated in a coup d'état on September 18, 1885.

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• Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani — Historical peer (Born in 1880) (1880): Bangladeshi statesman and founder of the Awami League, known for advocating for the poor.

Frequently Asked Questions about Bulgarian unification