Ferdinand History_of_Bulgaria_(1878–1946)

tsar ferdinand of bulgaria

these events made alexander popular in bulgaria, russia increasingly dissatisfied liberal tendencies. in august 1886 fomented coup, in course of alexander forced abdicate , exiled russia. stambolov, however, acted , participants in coup forced flee country. stambolov tried reinstate alexander, strong russian opposition forced prince abdicate again. in july 1887 bulgarians elected ferdinand of saxe-coburg-gotha new prince. ferdinand austrian candidate , russians refused recognize him despite friendship tsar alexander iii. ferdinand worked stambolov, 1894 relationship worsened. stambolov resigned , assassinated in july 1895. ferdinand decided restore relations russia, meant returning conservative policy.

there substantial bulgarian population still living under ottoman rule, particularly in macedonia. complicate matters, serbia , greece made claims on parts of macedonia. began balkan wars, five-sided struggle control of these areas lasted through world war (bulgaria during world war i). in 1903 there bulgarian insurrection in ottoman macedonia , war seemed likely. in 1908 ferdinand used struggles between great powers declare bulgaria independent kingdom, himself tsar, did on 5 october (though celebrated on 22 september, bulgaria remained officially on julian calendar until 1916) in st forty martyrs church in veliko tarnovo.