The Unification of Bulgaria: A Triumph of National Spirit

In the annals of Bulgarian history, few events stand as tall as the Unification of 1885. This momentous occasion marked a critical step towards realizing the national ideal of a united Bulgaria, bringing together the Principality of Bulgaria and Eastern Rumelia in defiance of great power politics and Ottoman rule.

Historical Context

The roots of the Unification lie in the aftermath of the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878. While the Treaty of San Stefano had initially created a large, autonomous Bulgaria, the subsequent Treaty of Berlin in 1878 dashed Bulgarian hopes. It divided Bulgarian lands into three parts:

1. The autonomous Principality of Bulgaria
2. The semi-autonomous province of Eastern Rumelia
3. Macedonia, which remained under direct Ottoman control

This partition left many Bulgarians dissatisfied and determined to reunite their lands.

Eastern Rumelia: A Bulgarian Heart under Ottoman Rule

Eastern Rumelia, though nominally under Ottoman control, was predominantly Bulgarian in character. The region's organic statute, drafted by an international commission, preserved its Bulgarian identity:

• Bulgarian was the official language
• The majority of the population (about 2/3) was ethnically Bulgarian
• In elections for the District Assembly, Bulgarians won a clear majority

The region was governed by a Governor-General appointed by the Sultan, with Aleko Bogoridi serving as the first. Despite Ottoman sovereignty, Eastern Rumelia developed its own political landscape, with two main parties emerging: the conservative People's Party and the Liberal Party.

The Road to Unification

The dream of unification never faded from Bulgarian minds. Early...