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Bulgarian History
Bulgaria is the site of one of the world's oldest civilizations, and
the oldest known writing system (the Gradeshnitsa Tablets which date to at least 4000 BC).
In early classical times the territory of Bulgaria was
inhabited by the Thracians. The Thracians were divided into various tribes,
but eventually united as the Odrysian kingdom under King Teres in the 5th century BC.
The region was invaded by the Romans in 188 BC, and wars continued until 45 AD when
Thrace became a Roman province.
Beginning in the 2nd century AD, a semi-nomadic people, the Bulgars, began to
migrate towards the West from Central Asia. By the 4th century, the Bulgars had settled in the lands
to the North of the Black Sea, around the Sea of Azov, and by the 7th century had established a state
known as "Great Bulgaria" or "Onoghuria" in the region. Later in the 7th century, one tribe
of Bulgars moved West, defeated the Byzantine empire in a war, and were recognized
in the subsequent peace treaty with the Byzantines as an independent state in 681.
The First Bulgarian Empire was established under the warrior Khan Krum (802 to 814) who conquered
a number of lands in the Balkans. The empire eventually encompassed all of present day Romania, as well as
parts of Serbia, Macedonia, Albania and
Greece. It was during this period the Cyrillic
alphabet was adopted, and Christianity was introduced to the Bulgarians.
The Byzantine Empire ruled Bulgaria from 1018 to 1185, but after a revolt in 1185, a Second Bulgarian
Empire was established. However, this Empire was relatively short lived.
In 1354 the Ottoman Turks crossed into Europe,
and by 1396 had conquered the whole of Bulgaria.
After hundreds of years of Ottoman rule, Bulgaria began to experience a national
revival inspired by western ideas from the enlightment, and the Greek revolt against Ottoman rule.
In 1870, a Bulgarian Church ("Exarchate") was established, and in 1876 Bulgarians revolted
against Ottoman rule in the April Uprising. Russia declared war on the Ottomans in 1877,
and by 1878, most of Bulgaria was liberated from the Ottomans.
Additional Ottoman territories in Europe
were liberated in the First Balkan War
(1912 to
1913),
however Bulgaria was then defeated by the combinaton of
Serbia,
Greece,
Romania and
the Ottoman Empire in the Second Balkan War
(1913)
and lost a significant amount of territory as a result.
During World War I, Bulgaria was allied with
Germany, Austria-Hungary
and the Ottoman Empire, and was for a while successful in making territorial
gains. However, the war gradually became increasingly unpopular because of economic hardships, and because
the population did not wish to fight in alliance with the Muslim Ottoman Empire
against the Orthodox Christians of
Serbia and
Greece. As a result, mutinies
broke out in the army, the government resigned, and a republic was proclaimed.
During World War II, Bulgaria attempted to avoid involvement in
the war, and even managed to peacefully regain the territory of
Southern Dobruja from Romania as a result of the
1940
Treaty of Craiova. Ultimately however, in
1941,
Bulgaria had no choice but
to join the Axis when German troops passed through the country in order to invade
Greece.
After World War II, Bulgaria became officially known was the
People's Republic of Bulgaria, and was ruled by the Bulgarian Communist Party.
Communist rule ended in
1990,
when the Communists voluntarily gave up power and held the first free elections since
1931.
The transition from communism to capitalism has not been easy for Bulgaria;
living standards fell dramatically and the country even experienced a sharp decline
in population. However, since
1997,
the economy has been growing steadily, and in
2007,
Bulgaria joined the European Union.
Here are some books about the history of
Bulgaria:
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By R. J. Crampton
Cambridge University Press
Paperback (310 pages)
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Richard Crampton presents a general introduction to Bulgaria at the cross-roads of Christendom and Islam. This concise history traces the country's growth from pre-history, through its days as the center of a powerful medieval empire and five centuries of Ottoman rule, to the political upheavals of the twentieth century which led to three wars. It highlights 1995 to 2004, a vital period during which Bulgaria endured financial meltdown, set itself seriously on the road to reform, elected its former King as prime minister, and finally secured membership in NATO and admission to the European Union. First Edition Hb (1997) 0-521-56183-3 First Edition Pb (1997) 0-521-56719-X |
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By R. J. Crampton
Cambridge University Press
Paperback (236 pages)
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Since the Second World War Bulgaria has been little known to the outside world. This survey of its history from its liberation from the Ottoman Empire in 1878 to 1985 offers an understanding of the country's present position and the recent past that has shaped it. Dr Crampton begins with a short introduction covering the period of Ottoman rule and then examines the political evolution of the new state. In 1915 the ruler, 'Foxy Ferdinard', chose to join the Germans in the First World War. During the 1920s and early 1930s Bulgaria suffered from political violence, though in the second half of the 1930s stability returned under the strong but not dictatorial rule of King Boris. In 1940 Bulgaria's leaders again chose the wrong side in the Second World War and violence returned as the Communists plotted a bloody path to power. From the mid-1950s the dictatorial rule of Todor Zhivkov ensured stability and, though grave problems remained, the rise in living standards was a considerable achievement. |
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By Forbes, Nevill
BiblioBazaar
Paperback (414 pages)
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By R.J. Crampton
Oxford University Press, USA
Paperback (536 pages)
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Tracing the evolution of the Bulgarian state and its people, from the beginning of the Bulgarian national revival in the middle of the nineteenth century to the entry of the country into the European Union, Richard Crampton examines key political, social, and economic developments, revealing the history of a country which evolved from a backward and troublesome Balkan state to become a modern European nation.
Seeing the collapse as well as the establishment and evolution of communist rule, Bulgaria survived an often painful journey from monolithic authoritarianism to representative democracy and the market system. Crampton follows this journey, and analyses the development of Bulgaria's political culture, examining the emergence of radical movements, both agrarian and socialist, as well as looking at the role of religion and the position of minorities. Crampton highlights the problems and dilemmas created by the country's position situated between East and West, problems which might not be entirely solved by the country's admission to the EU. |
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Alphascript Publishing
Paperback (212 pages)
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Bulgaria. Geography of Bulgaria, History of Bulgaria, History of early Ottoman Bulgaria, National awakening of Bulgaria, First Balkan War, Second Balkan War, Bulgaria during World War I, Military history of Bulgaria during World War II, Politics of Bulgaria, Military of Bulgaria, Provinces of Bulgaria, Municipalities of Bulgaria, Economy of Bulgaria, Energy in Bulgaria, Industry of Bulgaria, Tourism in Bulgaria, Science and technology in Bulgaria, Transport in Bulgaria, Demographics of Bulgaria, Religion in Bulgaria, Culture of Bulgaria, Sport in Bulgaria, Bulgaria at the Olympics, Bulgaria men's national volleyball team, Outline of Bulgaria |
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By Nikolay Ovcharov
Lettera, Bulgaria
Paperback
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72 page softcover edition published in 2006 by Lettera, Bulgaria. |
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By James R., Jr. Payton
University of Saskatchewan
Released: 2005-07-28
Digital (5 pages)
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This digital document is an article from Canadian Journal of History, published by University of Saskatchewan on December 1, 1997. The length of the article is 1345 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.
Citation Details
Title: A Concise History of Bulgaria. (book reviews)
Author: James R., Jr. Payton
Publication: Canadian Journal of History (Refereed)
Date: December 1, 1997
Publisher: University of Saskatchewan
Volume: v32 Issue: n3 Page: p501(2)
Article Type: Book Review
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University of Wisconsin Press
Paperback (264 pages)
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A limited number of copies may be available directly from the author:
Kemal Karpat, Professor of History
University of Wisconsin—Madison
4121 Humanities Bldg
455 N Park St
Madison, WI 53706 |
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