Bulgaria is a very ancient state. When nomadic tribes traveled across Europe 6 thousand years ago, there was a permanent city on its territory - Plovdiv. In 632, the Bulgarian tribes founded the first ethnic state of Great Bulgaria (Bulgaria) under the leadership of Khan Kubrat, whose borders were significantly different from modern ones: it occupied the entire southeastern part of present-day Ukraine, the Crimean peninsula, part Rostov region And Krasnodar region Russian Federation. The capital of Great Bulgaria was the city of Phanagorian on the shore of the Kerch Strait, the ruins of which today can be found near the village of Sennaya in the Krasnodar Territory.
Great Bulgaria was not destined to last long. Due to the fragmentation of the tribes, the state soon disintegrated, and its territories were included in the Khazar Kaganate. Some of the warlike proto-Bulgarians, under the leadership of Khan Asparukh, responded to the call of the Slavic tribes to fight against Byzantium and went to the Balkans. In 681, the united Bulgarian-Slavic army attacked Byzantium crushing blow at the mouth of the Danube. The latter was forced not only to cede a significant part of the Balkan Peninsula, but also obliged to pay tribute. This event is the starting point of the existence of the First Bulgarian Khanate.
In 863, the First Bulgarian Khanate converted to Christianity, after which it was renamed a kingdom and existed until 1018, until it was re-conquered by the Byzantine Empire. In 1187, as a result of a popular uprising, the Bulgarian lands were liberated from imperial oppression and united into the Second Bulgarian Kingdom.
In the 15th century, the Bulgarian lands were completely annexed by the Turks. A long and painful period of oppression of the Bulgarian people began against the background of religious differences. The Sultan's vassals actively destroyed the cultural heritage of the indigenous people of the Balkans, established unfairly high taxes and legal norms designed to infringe on the rights of the Bulgarians. For example, Christian houses were prohibited from being built higher than Muslim houses. Such oppression caused a surge of unprecedented patriotism among the Bulgarians: many uprisings were raised, which, although they were not crowned with success, remained forever a symbol of the unity and love of freedom of the Bulgarian people.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, Bulgaria tried with varying success to get out of the influence imposed by Turkey. On September 22, 1908, the Bulgarian Prince Ferdinand I proclaimed the creation of the Third Bulgarian Kingdom.
On September 15, 1946, following a national referendum, monarchical rule gave way to democracy: the creation of the People's Republic of Bulgaria was proclaimed. The second half of the 20th century was characterized by close cooperation between Bulgaria and Soviet Union, which determined the socialist path of its development. In 1990, the state gained modern name Republic of Bulgaria.
Bookmark this page:From Bulgarian bu "lgar (Bulgarian person). In English language, "Bulgar" is usually used only for Central Asia ancestors of modern Bulgarians.
Identification
The name "Bulgar", or "Bulgarian", most likely comes from a Turkish verb meaning "to mix". Ethnic Bulgarians descend from the once merged Bulgars (or proto-Bulgars), Turkic peoples Central Asia, and the Slavs, inhabitants of Central Europe.
This merger began in the 7th century AD in what is now northeastern Bulgaria. In addition to ethnic Bulgarians, there are also several ethnic minorities living here, the most numerous of which are Turks and Gypsies, as well as non-Bulgarians. a large number of Armenians, Jews and others. The dominant national culture is that of ethnic Bulgarians, and there is also a slight sense of common national culture among the three main ethnic groups.
Turks generally tend not to identify with Bulgarians, while Gypsies, on the contrary, often identify with them. Both groups are generally considered to be marginalized among ethnic Bulgarians, in contrast to more assimilated national minorities such as Jews and Armenians.
However, all residents take part in one way or another national economy and government structure. The division of bureaucratic - political culture exists, it is formed and shapes the cultural practices of the constituent ethnic groups.
The emergence of a national
In the fifth century AD, the Slavs began to populate the Thracian-occupied eastern plains of the Danube. In the seventh century, they, together with the Bulgars, invaded these domains to gain control of a significant territory, which they defended against the Byzantine Empire in 681. As a result, they are recognized as the first Bulgarian state.
Slavic and Bulgar elements realized that they were united into one ethno-cultural group, particularly after the official adoption of Christianity (Greek model) in 846, which unified them around one common religion. Along with Christianization, literacy soon began to spread, and the development of Slavic writing, which was created by the Bulgaro-Macedonian saints Cyril and Methodius, began. Local Slavic language became the language of liturgies and state power, reducing the ecclesiastical and cultural influence of Byzantium.
In the tenth century it was ranked among the three most powerful and powerful empires in Europe. The Ottomans invaded Bulgaria in the 14th century and ruled the country for 500 years. In the last century of the Ottoman yoke, the transition of Bulgarian culture to the stage of “National Revival” took place. Bulgarian schools and cultural centers were created precisely at this time.
In 1870, the Bulgarian Church gained independence from Greek rule. The Outside World took serious notice of the Ottoman government's bloody repression of the Bulgarians in April 1876, which led to an uprising in the Bulgarian state.
Hopes for the restoration of a large and strong Bulgaria were dashed after the Treaty of Berlin in 1878, which transferred large numbers of ethnic Bulgarians to the jurisdiction of neighboring states. This division of Bulgaria became the cause of many conflicts in the Balkans. After the Second World War (1939 - 1945), a socialist government was created under the supervision of the USSR. The overthrow of Communist leader Teodor Zhivkov on November 10, 1989 accelerated the reform process and led to the destruction of socialism in 1990 and the creation of more democratic forms of government.
National identity
Bulgarian national identity is based on the understanding that the Bulgarian nation (people) was formed and acquired some ethnic differences in the Middle Ages (as a result of the mixing of Slavs, Bulgars and other peoples). This identity persisted throughout the Ottoman rule and formed the basis for an independent state.
The history of the struggle to re-establish the Bulgarian state has provided key symbols of national identity.
Another prerequisite is that ethnic and territorial boundaries must, in one way or another, intersect. This sometimes led to territorial conflicts with neighboring states.
Moreover, this has a dual impact on the state and position of national minorities, since they do not have the same ethnic and historical connections with the Bulgarian state and its lands.
Ethnic relations in Bulgaria
Officially maintains friendly relations with neighboring countries. Relations with Macedonia, however, are complicated as many Bulgarians see Macedonia as Bulgaria's historical territory.
The liberation of Macedonia is a central element in the 19th century for the Bulgarian liberation movement and for early 20th century nationalism. Ottoman Macedonia was divided between Bulgaria, Greece and Serbia in 1913. The Bulgarians claim the opposite: the majority of Macedonians were looking for an independent Macedonian state, which was realized only after the Second World War in Yugoslav Macedonia.
It quickly recognized the independence of Macedonia from Yugoslavia in 1991, but does not recognize Macedonian culture as independent and autonomous. Since 1997, the Bulgarian government has recognized Macedonians as Bulgarians, and the existence of a Macedonian minority in Bulgaria is generally denied. Official and public concern over the issue of human rights (especially the issue of national self-identification) exists among Bulgarians living in neighboring countries, mainly Serbia and Macedonia. Relations between the various ethnic groups in Bulgaria are somewhat tense, partly as a legacy of brutal assimilation policies under the socialist state, and partly due to ethnic Bulgarians' fear that national minorities could threaten the integrity of the state.
As a rule, the mixture of residents and their relations with members of other ethnic groups are quite friendly, although much depends on personal acquaintance with individuals.
The history of Bulgaria goes back thousands of years and begins its countdown in the distant Neolithic era, when nomads moved here from the territory of Asia Minor agricultural tribes. In the course of its history, Bulgaria more than once became a coveted trophy of neighboring conquerors and was part of the Thracian Odrysian kingdom, Greek Macedonia, was included in the Roman Empire, and later in Byzantium, and in the 15th century. conquered by the Ottoman Empire.
Having experienced invasions, wars, conquests, Bulgaria, however, managed to be reborn, acquiring its own nation and gaining cultural and historical self-determination.
Odrysian kingdom
By the 6th century. BC e. The territory of Bulgaria was the outskirts of Ancient Greece, stretching along the Black Sea coast. Over the course of several centuries, on the basis of Indo-European tribes who came from the north, a tribe of Thracians was formed here, from whom Bulgaria received its first name - Thrace (Bulgarian: Trakia). Over time, the Thracians became the main population in this territory and formed their own state - the Odrysian kingdom, which united Bulgaria, Romania, northern Greece and Turkey. The kingdom became the largest urban conglomerate in Europe at that time. The cities founded by the Thracians - Serdika (modern Sofia), Eumolpiada (modern Plovdiv) - have not yet lost their importance. The Thracians were an extremely developed and rich civilization; the tools and household items they created were in many ways ahead of their time (skilled metal blades, exquisite gold jewelry, four-wheeled chariots, etc.). Many mythical creatures passed to the Greek neighbors from the Thracians - the god Dionysus, Princess Europe, the hero Orpheus, etc. But in 341 BC. weakened by colonial wars, the Odrysian kingdom came under the influence of Macedonia, and in 46 AD. became part of the Roman Empire and later, in 365, Byzantium.
First Bulgarian Kingdom
The first Bulgarian kingdom arose in 681 with the arrival of the Asian nomads of the Bulgars on the territory of Thrace, who, under the onslaught of the Khazars, were forced to leave the steppes of Ukraine and southern Russia. The emerging alliance between local Slavic population and nomads turned out to be very successful in campaigns against Byzantium and allowed the expansion of the Bulgarian kingdom by the 9th century, also including Macedonia and Albania. The Bulgarian kingdom became the first Slavic state in history, and in 863, the brothers Cyril and Methodius created the Slavic alphabet - the Cyrillic alphabet. The adoption of Christianity by Tsar Boris in 865 made it possible to erase the boundaries between the Slavs and Bulgars and create a single ethnic group - the Bulgarians.
Second Bulgarian Kingdom
From 1018 to 1186, the Bulgarian kingdom again found itself under the rule of Byzantium, and only the uprising of Asen, Peter and Kaloyan in 1187 allowed part of Bulgaria to secede. This is how the Second Bulgarian Kingdom was formed, which lasted until 1396. Constant raids on the Balkan Peninsula from Ottoman Empire, which began back in 1352, led to the fall of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom, which ceased to exist as an independent state for five long centuries.
Ottoman rule
As a result of the five-hundred-year Ottoman yoke, Bulgaria was completely devastated, the population decreased, and cities were destroyed. Already in the 15th century. all Bulgarian authorities ceased to exist, and the church lost its independence and became subordinate to the Patriarch of Constantinople.
The local Christian population was deprived of all rights and was discriminated against. Thus, Christians were forced to pay more taxes, did not have the right to bear arms, and every fifth son in the family was forced to serve in the Ottoman army. The Bulgarians raised uprisings more than once, wanting to stop the violence and oppression of Christians, but they were all brutally suppressed.
Bulgarian National Revival
In the 17th century the influence of the Ottoman Empire weakens, and the country actually falls into anarchy: power is concentrated in the hands of the Kurdzhali gangs that terrorized the country. At this time, the national movement is being revived, interest in the historical self-awareness of the Bulgarian people is increasing, and the formation of literary language, interest in one’s own culture is revived, the first schools and theaters appear, newspapers in the Bulgarian language begin to be published, etc.
Princely semi-independence
Princely rule arose after the liberation of Bulgaria from Ottoman rule as a result of Turkey’s defeat in the war with Russia (1877–1878) and the country’s independence in 1878. In honor of this key event in the history of Bulgaria, a majestic temple was erected in the capital Sofia in 1908 Alexander Nevsky, who became business card not only the city, but the entire state.
According to the San Stefano Peace Treaty, Bulgaria was given the vast territory of the Balkan Peninsula, which included Macedonia and northern Greece. However, under pressure from the West, instead of gaining independence, Bulgaria received broad autonomy within the Ottoman Empire and a monarchical form of government led by the German Prince Alexander, the nephew of the Russian Tsar Alexander II. However, Bulgaria managed to unite again, as a result of which the country gained Eastern Rumelia, part of Thrace and access to the Aegean Sea. But in this composition, Bulgaria was able to exist for a short 5 years (1913 -1918); after the defeat in the First World War, the country lost most of its territory.
Third Bulgarian Kingdom
The Third Bulgarian Kingdom covers the period from 1918 to 1946. Despite the agreement on “inviolable peace and sincere and eternal friendship” signed in 1937 with Yugoslavia, during the Second World War Bulgaria chooses Germany as its ally and sends in its troops into the territory of a neighboring country, thereby supporting the German intervention. Tsar Boris's attempt to change course did not lead to success. After his premature death, his 6-year-old son Simeon II, who subsequently fled to Spain, ascends the throne. In 1944, Soviet troops entered Bulgaria, and already in 1944 - 1945. the Bulgarian army begins to lead fighting against Germany and its allies in the Soviet armed forces. The further political course of Bulgaria was predetermined; in 1944, power passed to the communists under the leadership of Todor Zhivkov. In 1946, as a result of a referendum, the monarchy was abolished, and Bulgaria declared itself a republic headed by a prime minister.
Communist Bulgaria
During the communist regime, Bulgaria reached high results in the development and modernization of industry, industrialization and collectivization Agriculture, which made it possible not only to provide the country with jobs, the latest technology, various goods and food products, but also to become a major exporter. The main consumer of Bulgarian exports was, of course, the USSR. Thus, industrial and textile goods, agricultural products, various canned goods, tobacco products, alcoholic drinks (cognac, beer) and the first computers, and Bulgarian resorts became a popular holiday destination for Soviet citizens. However, in 1989, the wave of perestroika reached Bulgaria, and after the fall of the Berlin Wall on November 9, 1989, the communist system was overthrown, and the permanent 78-year-old leader of the Communist Party, Todor Zhivkov, was placed under arrest and later stood trial on charges of corruption and bribery.
Modern Bulgaria
Modern Bulgaria has set a course towards the West and European integration. Thus, on March 29, 2004, the country joined NATO, and on January 1, 2007, the European Union. Carrying out comprehensive modernization, Bulgaria is becoming more and more attractive for foreign tourists every year, a popular destination for summer and winter holidays. The widespread construction of new hotels, infrastructure development, improving the quality of service and diversification of services have allowed Bulgaria to repeatedly increase the tourist flow.
Today, the country's resorts are modern complexes for a comfortable and eventful holiday - excellent hotel facilities, a variety of excursion routes, entertainment for every taste, alternative forms of tourism and much more. Attractive prices, low compared to other European resorts, make holidays here accessible to a wide range of tourists - from youth groups to families with children, while luxury 5* hotels meet the requirements of the most discerning guests.
Despite the fact that we associate Bulgaria more with beach holiday, the country has amazing opportunities for winter tourism. Excellent ski resorts - Bansko, Borovets, Pamporovo - fascinate with the beauty of the surrounding nature, modern slopes for both amateurs and professionals, excellent opportunities for the youngest ski fans, as well as for those who prefer snowboarding to skiing.
And if you don’t feel confident enough yet, experienced instructors are at your service. They will not only teach you all the necessary skills and abilities in a short time, but will also offer you communication in your native language. The absence of a language barrier, common cultures and Orthodox traditions make visiting Bulgarian resorts even more enjoyable, come and see for yourself!
Bulgaria history of the country. Many eras are reflected.
History of the country
The oldest inhabitants of Bulgaria were Neanderthals (70 thousand years ago), whose remains were found in the Bacho-Kiro cave.
6th century BC The territory of Bulgaria represents the northern outskirts of Ancient Greece. The Greeks are the first civilized inhabitants of the Black Sea coast; the rest of the region is inhabited by Thracian tribes, whose tradition was to bury their kings in mounds. Then archaeologists found a lot of gold and other objects in such mounds, and of good artistic quality. In the village of Karanovo, for example, they found ceramics with white painting on a red background, horn sickles with flint inserts, grain grinders and the remains of rectangular dwellings with stoves). A sacrificial altar (VI millennium BC) was also discovered near the village of Kapitan Dmitrievo (100 km southeast of Sofia), which is a cylindrical recess 1.85 m deep, into which three steps lead. According to archaeologists, the cylindrical shape of the altar symbolizes the womb of the goddess Mother Earth. The religious ceremonies held in this place, during which food was most often sacrificed, were supposed to ensure a rich harvest.
IN V-III century BC The Thracians are the main population of Bulgaria, they create the Odrysian kingdom, the largest in Europe (united Bulgaria, Romania, northern Greece and Turkey). At this stage, the Thracians reached the level of urban civilization. There are such Thracian cities as Serdika and Eumolpias, which have not lost their importance to this day. Many smooth fragments of pottery (pieces of roof tiles and Greek vases) discovered during excavations indicate the wealth of the city's inhabitants. The red-haired Thracians knew how to make metal blades and four-wheeled chariots. From the Thracians, many mythical creatures passed on to their Greek neighbors, such as the god Dionysus, Princess Europa and the hero Orpheus. However, conflicts with the Greek colonies in Black Sea coast caused a long war, which weakened the Odrysian kingdom and made it easy prey for the Macedonians.
IN 341 BC Thrace, like the rest of the world, experienced the destructive power of Alexander the Great. However, by paying tribute, the Odrysian kings retained their autonomy until the arrival of the Romans. 1st century BC, political influence they no longer provided. Greek became the language of communication.
IN '46 AD the territory of the kingdom was included in the Roman Empire as a separate province of Thrace (Bulgarian: Trakia). Emperor Diocletian, for ease of administration, divided Thrace into 4 provinces: Thrace - the northwestern part of the original province; Rhodope Mountains - the southern and southwestern part of the province, between the Rhodope Range, the sea, Thracian Chersonesus and Hebrus; Europe - southeastern part of Thrace on the coast of Propontis; Gemimont - North-eastern province, enclosed between the Gem mountains, the Black Sea and the Gebr rivers. On the territory of the renewed Thrace, the cities of Philippopolis and Beroya stood out.
IN 210 On the lower Danube, the Goths attack the Roman Empire, and the Scythian War begins. IN 251 the Goths besiege the city of Philippopolis (modern Plovdiv). Many residents were taken prisoner, 
Philippopolis was destroyed, more than one hundred thousand people were killed within the city walls.
The decisive battle took place in the summer of 251 near the city of Abrittus, near Nova. The barbarians were divided into 3 parts. Decius defeated the first two parts of the Gothic army, but having attacked the remaining barbarians, he unexpectedly found himself in a swampy place surrounded by enemies. The barbarians deliberately lured the pursuing legionnaires into the swamp with a feigned retreat. The Goths shot the Romans with bows, and the emperor's son was killed with an arrow. The Roman army suffered a complete defeat. Emperor Decius drowned in a swamp while fleeing. The new emperor Trebonianus Gallus, a former military commander of Decius in Moesia, hastened to make peace with the Goths, allowing them to take away even noble captives and promising annual payments of money in exchange for renouncing attacks on Roman lands.
Later the Goths were also defeated. Emperor Claudius proclaimed his victory this way: “We destroyed three hundred and twenty thousand Goths, sank two thousand ships. The rivers are covered with their shields, all the banks are littered with their broadswords and short spears. The fields hidden under their bones are not visible, there is no roadway, a huge convoy has been abandoned. We captured so many women that each victorious warrior could take two or three women for himself.” During those Goths, the plague was raging. The plague epidemic also affected the winners. Emperor Claudius, who received the title Gothic from the Senate for his victories, died of illness at the beginning of 270. Afterwards there were many more wars.
IN 441 The region experienced an invasion of the Huns.
IN 592 Avars invaded Bulgarian territory.
IN 679 Turkic hordes, the so-called proto-Bulgarians, led by khans and boyars, having left their traditional habitats between the Volga and Southern Urals, and crossed the Danube with 250 thousand troops and proved their worth to Byzantium.
681-1018 First Bulgarian Kingdom
IN 681 g Turkic Khan Asparukh, the youngest of the 3 brothers Kubrat, the eldest Bayan, the middle Kotrag) formed the first Slavic state in history - First Bulgarian Kingdom - with its capital in Pliska
in Moesia. The state existed until 1018. and was very extensive on a European scale - in the 9th century. its borders extended from Byzantium to Macedonia. At the same time, the few proto-Bulgarians, as well as the Thracians, disappeared among the Slavic tribes, adopting their language and culture.
IN 863 brothers Cyril and Methodius create Slavic writing. IN 865 Tsar Boris I is baptized, Bulgaria begins to profess Christianity. WITH 919 The Bulgarian Church becomes independent and has its own patriarch. The Bulgarian kingdom reached the peak of its power under Tsar Simeon (893-927), who capital in Preslav and expanded the country's borders to the western shores of the Adriatic. Even the proud and independent Serbs recognized Simeon as their sovereign (the adoption of Christianity by the Serbs dates back to the same time). Culture and writing flourished. The writing schools of Preslav and Ohrid were the first in Europe after the Hebrew, Hellenic and Roman schools, which had long since experienced their heyday. Simeon's attempts to try on the crown Byzantine Empire, wars with the Croats and Serbs, which were instigated by Byzantium, significantly weakened the country. Serbia managed to prove its independence in 933. Byzantium even called for help from the Kyiv prince Svyatoslav, who ruined Bulgaria. True, later the Emperor of Byzantium, John Tzimiskes, defeated Svyatoslav in 971 and forced him to return to his homeland.
In 972, Byzantium dissociated itself from Bulgaria, leaving behind part of the eastern lands. The political center moved west to Skopje and Ohrid (present-day Macedonia). Tsar Samuel (980-1014) tried to prevent fatal changes from there, and went on a campaign, gradually conquering land from Byzantium, but suffered a severe defeat in 1014 in the battle on the mountain pass near Belastitsa from the troops of the Byzantine Emperor Vasily II. The latter ordered the eyes of 15 thousand Bulgarian soldiers to be gouged out. Emperor Vasily II receives the nickname "Bulgar-killer". The Bulgarian king could not stand the defeat and died of a heart attack a few months later. This was the end of independent Bulgaria.
1018-1187 Bulgaria as part of Byzantium
Four years later ( since 1018) all of Bulgaria became part of Byzantium. The Byzantine yoke was truly gentle in its regime. The Bulgarian Church was subordinated to the Patriarch of Constantinople, many noble families were resettled to the Asian part of the empire. The Bulgarians repeatedly raised uprisings against Byzantium - the uprising of Peter Delyan in 1040-41, Konstantin Bodin in 1072, but they were all suppressed. Byzantium was then ruled by the Komnenos dynasty (1081-1185). In 1185 Isaac II Angelos (1185-1195) was proclaimed emperor of Byzantium.
IN 1186 uprising in Bulgaria against the Byzantines led by Peter and Asen. Campaign of the troops of Isaac II Angel to Bulgaria. The angel drove them out of the mountain gorges and plundered the entire country. Peter and Asen fled across the Danube. The Roman army retreated. Asen united with the Cumans and returned to Bulgaria. The Bulgarians attacked Byzantium. The angel sent Alexei Vran to the Bulgarians, but he proclaimed himself emperor in Adrianople. Vran defeated the Angel's army and approached the capital. Caesar Kondrat opposed Vran and defeated him, Vran died. The rebels who survived were forgiven.
1187 Isaac II Angel invaded Bulgaria, unsuccessfully besieged Lovitsa for 3 months and retreated. Restoration of the independence of Bulgaria, the king of Bulgaria Peter was killed by the feudal lords.
1187-1396 Second Bulgarian Kingdom
The Second Bulgarian Kingdom existed from 1187 to 1396, Veliko Tarnovo became the new capital. The revolt of the brothers Peter, Asen and Kaloyan restored Bulgarian statehood from about 1185. Brothers Ivan Asen I and Peter IV were co-rulers. Military operations were mainly carried out under the leadership of Ivan Asen I, who showed himself to be a brilliant commander and advanced his troops where the Byzantine ones were absent, thereby easily capturing regions and cities. The newly independent state quickly gained strength. Brothers Ivan and Peter even offered military assistance to the troops of III Crusade for safe passage of Byzantine territories. After the death of both brothers, the throne was taken by their younger brother, Kaloyan.
Kaloyan proved himself to be a brilliant ruler, his abilities and talent were in no way inferior to his older brothers. He stated that he was taking revenge for the once bloody reprisals against the Bulgarians by Emperor Vasily II. During his reign, the Bulgarian troops did not know defeat; he always met with victory on the battlefield. During his reign, the Bulgarian kingdom became so strong that before the capture of Constantinople by the crusaders in 1204, he offered an army of 100,000 to the leaders of the crusader army if they recognized his imperial title and the sovereignty of the Bulgarian kingdom. Kaloyan began to dream of creating a Slavic-Greek empire. And he directed his weapons against the allies. Kaloyan's most significant battle was the Battle of Adrianople ( 1205 ), where his troops defeated the army of the IV Crusade and, as a result, the emperor of the newly created Latin Empire was captured. Kaloyan was a tough and resourceful ruler who earned the nickname Ivan the Dog. All three brothers showed themselves to be talented rulers and died as a result of conspiracies.
After Kaloyan's death, Tsar Boril ascends the throne. Historians suggest that he was one of the organizers of the conspiracy against Kaloyan. After his accession to the throne, he begins persecution of Asenei. Possible contenders for the throne have to flee for their lives - among them is the future Tsar Ivan Asen II, the son of Ivan Asen I. He flees first to the Polovtsy, and then to the Galicia-Volyn principality. Boril's reign was characterized by complete destabilization of the country. A number of feudal lords declared their independence and Boril lost many territories conquered by the brothers from the Asen dynasty. Was dethroned in 1218, the legal heir of the kingdom - Ivan Asen II. Tsar Ivan Asen II (1218-1241), son of Asen, restored to the throne by Galician troops and Russian mercenaries, subjugated all of Thrace. In subsequent years, almost without fighting, Tsar Ivan Asen II conquered most of modern Greece and almost all of Albania. He called himself the king of the Bulgarians, Vlas and Romans (Byzantines).
IN 1235 The Orthodox patriarchy was restored. At the end of life in 1241 defeated the Mongol troops of Khan Batu, which increased his glory, but after his death (June 24) until the fall of Bulgaria under Ottoman rule, weak rulers took the throne (the 10-year-old son of Koloman I Asen, who dies 5 years later). The Bulgarian kingdom never again became a decisive factor on the Balkan Peninsula and weakened significantly. IN 1242 Bulgaria is subject to a Mongol invasion and is forced to pay tribute to the Horde. Under pressure from its neighbors, Bulgaria is losing land. Byzantium conquers Macedonia and Northern Thrace, the Hungarians conquer Belgrade. Wallachia is gradually separated and the title of the rulers of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom is reduced from “King of the Wallachians and Bolgars” to “King of the Bolgars”.
By the end XIII century as a result of wars and internal unrest, Bulgaria weakened so much that 1277-1280 the country is ruled by the swineherd Ivaylo, and in 1299 the son of Khan Nogai - Chaka becomes the king of Bulgaria for a short time. However, Khan Toktu, who took Nogai’s place, invades Bulgaria with his troops a year later. As a result of the uprising led by Svyatoslav, the son of the deposed Tsar George I, Chaka was killed and his head was sent to Khan Tokta. As gratitude, the Tatars stopped raiding Bulgarian territories forever and the tribute was withdrawn.
IN 1340 The Turks felt the opportunity to declare a weakened Bulgaria a zone of their national interests. They expanded in various ways - political, economic and religious. IN 1364 The Turks took Philippopolis and all the surrounding territories from Bulgaria and forced John Alexander to a humiliating peace: he had to marry his daughter, Tamar, to Sultan Murad, and recognize the supreme power of the Sultan. Shortly after this, on February 17, 1371, the king died. With the participation of the king, a number of monasteries and churches were founded, for example the Dragalevsky Orthodox Women's Monastery. (Located 3 km from Sofia at the foot of Vitosha Mountain). After the death of the king, Bulgaria was divided into 2 states: the Tarnovo kingdom, which consisted of capital Tarnovo and eastern Bulgaria and the Vidin kingdom, which consisted of capital - Vidin and western Bulgaria. Bulgaria was constantly attacked by the Turks. July 17th 1393 after a three-month siege, the Turks took the capital of the kingdom, Tarnovo, and then 1396 and the last stronghold of the Bulgarians is Vidin. The Second Bulgarian Kingdom ceased to exist.
1396-1878 Ottoman rule
At the end XIV century Bulgaria was conquered by the Ottoman Turkish Empire. At first she was a vassal, and in 1396 Sultan Bayazid I annexed it after defeating the Crusaders at the Battle of Nicopolis. The result of the five hundred year Turkish yoke was the complete devastation of the country, the destruction of cities, in particular fortresses, and a decrease in population. Already in XV century all Bulgarian authorities at the level above the municipal level (villages and cities) were dissolved. The Bulgarian Church lost its independence and was subordinated to the Patriarch of Constantinople, although the rulers of Istanbul (Constantinople) did not completely ban Christianity.
The land formally belonged to the Sultan as the representative of Allah on earth, but in reality it was received for use by the sipahis, who were supposed to field cavalry in war time by order of the Sultan. The number of troops was proportional to the size of the land holdings. For the Bulgarian peasants, this system of feudal land tenure was at first easier than the old feudal Bulgarian one, but the Turkish authorities were deeply hostile to all Christians. Despite the fact that those peasants who lived on land that belonged to Islamic religious institutions - vakif - had some privileges, all Bulgarians were in a powerless status - the so-called. “paradise” (Turkish herd). The Ottomans did not try to forcefully convert the entire population to Islam, although all Christians, including those living on the lands of the waqif, paid more taxes than Muslims, did not have the right to bear arms, and were subject to many other discriminatory measures compared to Muslims (every fifth child males were sent to the Ottoman army). The majority of Bulgarians remained Christians; the Bulgarians who forcibly converted to Islam - the so-called. the Pomaks, mainly in the Rhodope Mountains, retained Bulgarian language and many traditions.
The Bulgarians resisted and raised numerous uprisings against the Ottoman Empire, the most famous of which are the uprising of Constantine and Fruzhin (1408-1413), the First Turnovo Uprising (1598), the Second Turnovo Uprising (1686), and the Karposh Uprising (1689). They were all depressed.
IN XVII century The sultan's power, and with it the institutions established by the Ottomans, including land tenure, began to weaken, and in the 18th century they entered a crisis. This led to the strengthening of local authorities, sometimes imposing very strict laws on the lands they owned. At the end of the 18th and beginning of the 19th centuries, Bulgaria actually fell into anarchy. This period is known in the history of the country as Kurdzhaliism due to the Kurdzhali gangs that terrorized the country. Many peasants fled from rural areas to the cities, some emigrated, including to the south of Russia. IN 1810 Russian troops appeared in Bulgaria for the first time, in 1828-1829 years they traveled further and stayed longer.
Simultaneously XVIII century was marked by the beginning of the Bulgarian Renaissance, associated primarily with the names of Paisiy Hilendarsky, who wrote Bulgarian history in 1762, and Sofroniy Vrachansky and with the national liberation revolution. IN 1860 a movement began for a church independent of the Patriarch of Constantinople, which was crowned with success ten years later. Turkey's recognition of the autonomy of the Bulgarian Church was an important step on the path to independence. Bye future national heroes Bulgaria: Hristo Botev, Lyuben Karavelov and Vasily Levsky - in deep secret prepared for liberation war, the residents of Koprivshtitsa raised in April 1876 premature uprising. It was suppressed with unprecedented brutality by the bashi-bazouks (Ottoman special forces). In Plovdiv, 15 thousand Bulgarians were executed, and 58 villages were destroyed. This turn of events forced Serbia to declare war on Turkey, which in April 1877 Russia and Romania joined on the side of Serbia. Decisive battles took place near Pleven and Shipka. Russia lost 200 thousand people killed and wounded in this war. When Russian troops approached Istanbul within 50 km, the Turks laid down their arms, fearing the possibility of complete defeat.
According to the signed in San Stefano March 3, 1878 According to the agreement, Turkey gave 60% of the Balkan Peninsula to Bulgaria and agreed to the formation of a semi-independent Bulgarian principality.
1878-1918 Princely semi-independence
The Treaty of San Stefano gave Bulgaria only autonomy within the Ottoman Empire, Russia received part of the territory, and Serbia and Romania received complete independence. Fearing the emergence of a powerful Russian outpost in the Balkans in the form of a new nascent state, the Western powers did everything possible to prevent this. At the Berlin Congress, which met a little later in 1978, South part Bulgaria was declared an autonomous province, which was nevertheless nominally under the rule of the Turkish Sultan, and the first Bulgarian prince was the German Alexander von Battenberg (nephew of the Russian Tsar Alexander II). Macedonia was officially recognized as part of the Ottoman Empire. As a result, Bulgaria became dependent on Germany and not Russia. Serbia became Russia's ally. Due to different political vectors, the war of 1885 broke out between Bulgaria and Serbia. In 1879 Northern Bulgaria adopted a liberal constitution. IN 1885 An uprising broke out in Southern Bulgaria, then called Eastern Rumelia, and the territory was reunited with the north. And in 1908 A bourgeois revolution took place in Turkey, and Bulgaria took advantage of the moment and declared complete independence. Prince Ferdinand, who politically headed for friendship with Germany, was crowned king. IN 1912 year, Ferdinand, together with the Balkan countries (Romania, Greece, Serbia), decided to finish off the weakened Turks and even besieged Istanbul. But the Turks carried out a counterattack and had to sign a peace treaty, according to which Turkey acquired modern borders. Everything would be fine, but Ferdinand attacked his allies in order to recapture Macedonia for himself. Those were supported by the Turks, as a result of which Bulgaria lost part of the recently conquered territories, specifically the area around the Turkish city of Edirne and access to the Aegean Sea, which were captured by the Greeks. IN 1913 This local war ended. In World War I, Bulgaria, in alliance with its recent enemy Turkey, sided with Germany (Ferdinand's course), Serbia and Romania sided with the Entente. At first, Bulgaria conquered Macedonia and Dobruja, but then a series of failures began, the people grumbled against the war and the alliance with the Turks. Germany lost the war. Ferdinand had to October 2, 1918 hand over the throne to his 25-year-old son Boris and retreat to Germany.
1918-1946 Third Bulgarian Kingdom
A. Stamboliysky became the head of the government. The government he formed managed to carry out land reform, according to which land that belonged to large landowners was distributed among the peasants who worked it. This state of affairs could not suit the landowners. IN 1923 year, with the participation of General Wrangel, he was overthrown. At that time, under the influence October revolution In Russia, in Bulgaria, a communist uprising unfolded, which was suppressed. IN 1925 In 1999, an assassination attempt was made on Tsar Boris in the church (a bomb was detonated), he remained alive, but his psyche suffered a little. IN 1935 year he bans all political parties. 1937 Bulgaria and Yugoslavia solemnly signed a treaty of “indestructible peace and sincere and eternal friendship.”
During World War II, Bulgaria was again an ally of Germany. Entering the war on the side of Germany brought Bulgaria northern Dobrugia, which Germany politely asked from Romania. IN 1941 Grateful Bulgaria, having terminated all treaties, took an active part in the German intervention in Yugoslavia. In August 1943 year, Tsar Boris flies to Germany to see Hitler, but they don’t find him there mutual language, and on the way back on the plane he became ill and died a few days later. His 6-year-old son Simeon II ascended the throne, who later fled from Bulgaria to Egypt, then to Spain. In the war, Bulgaria lost 30 thousand Bulgarians, mainly in 44-45, when after joining Soviet troops to Bulgaria, she declared war on Germany. After the defeat of Germany, Bulgaria was liberated by Soviet and not American troops, therefore the further political course of Bulgaria was predetermined. 9th of September 1944. armed detachments of the Fatherland Front and partisans entered Sofia. Power passed into the hands of the communists under the leadership of Todor Zhivkov. From 1944 until the end of the war, units of the Bulgarian army took part in the battles with the Nazis along with Soviet troops. September 15 1946 A referendum was held in Bulgaria that abolished the monarchy, Bulgaria was declared a republic, and Georgi Dimitrov was elected Prime Minister on October 27, 1946.
Modern Bulgaria
Georgi Dimitrov was friends with the Yugoslav leader Josip Broz Tito. IN 1980s gg. Bulgaria joined Greece's call for the announcement 
The Balkans became a nuclear-weapon-free zone, but relations with Turkey remained strained. Since the late 1940s. In the country, led by the communist Todor Zhivkov (from 1954 to 1989), large-scale reconstruction unfolded, and then the development and transformation of industry, industrialization and collectivization of agriculture. Bulgaria has become one of the most prosperous countries of Eastern Europe. At the same time, as part of planning in a socialist economy, significant flexibility was shown, which made it possible to increase the quality of products and labor productivity; private farming was allowed in free time from the main job. IN 1989 A wave of perestroika came to Bulgaria from the USSR. On November 9, 1989, the Berlin Wall came down, and the next day, a radical group within the Bulgarian Communist Party ended the 35-year rule of 78-year-old Todor Zhivkov. After 43 days, T. Zhivkov was placed under house arrest, and in February 1991. he was the first communist leader to stand trial on charges of corruption and bribery during his reign. IN 1996 SDS candidate Petr Stoyanov wins the presidential election. year 2001, The former Bulgarian monarch Simeon II of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha was elected prime minister, and a few months later Georgi Parvanov, chairman of the Bulgarian Socialist Party, became president. IN 2004. The Bulgarian parliament ratifies the treaty on Bulgaria's accession to NATO. 2005. Sergei Stanishev becomes Prime Minister. 2007. Bulgaria in the European Union.
The ancient history of Bulgaria is exceptionally rich. Various ancient peoples managed to visit this small country. The Byzantines, Greeks, Thracians, Romans and other peoples left their mark on this land.
The history of Bulgaria began at the end of the 5th century AD. The Bulgarian tribes included the Utigurs, Kutrigurs, Urogs, Barsils, Balanjars, Savirs and others. These peoples led a nomadic lifestyle in the territory from the Lower Danube to the North Caucasus and the Caspian Sea. Part of the Bulgarians (Kutrigurs and Onogurs) formed an association in the 630s. The history of Bulgaria began with “Great Bulgaria”, which fell thirty years after its founding. This happened as a result of the Khazars' invasion.
Part of the Bulgarian people, having moved to the north, formed “Volga Bulgaria” (Bulgaria) in this territory. Another part of the population (Proto-Bulgarians) migrated to the west. Having settled on the lands of the future North-Eastern Bulgaria, they moved to southern territories. There they settled in the Stara Planina region.
Over time, the Proto-Bulgarians penetrated deeper into Thrace. In the 7th century, the history of Bulgaria was marked by the founding of a state with its capital - the city of Pliska.
Over the next three centuries, the government of the state was engaged in repelling the attacks of Byzantium. tried to destroy her new neighbor, but was never successful in this matter.
From the 8th to the 9th centuries, the history of Bulgaria was marked by the annexation of the southern Balkan region to the Rhodope Mountains, the territories extending south of the Stara Planina, and the Morava and Timok river basins. As well as the territory of the future North-Western Bulgaria. In addition, part of Western and all of Central Macedonia joined the state.
The unification of lands continued under Boris 1. During that era, cities such as Prilep and Ohril were annexed. At the same time, Bulgarian power extended to some territories of the future Albanian lands. The territorial transformations of Boris 1 were consolidated by his son, Simeon.
As a result of the victories won by the leader of the alien tribe of Turkic Bulgarians, the first kingdom of Bulgaria was formed. The history of the existence of the state is marked by the adoption of baptism by Boris 1 in 864. Thus, the kingdom entered the circle of Christian countries.
The reign of Boris 1 took place during a period of the most important events for the state. One of them is the invention of the Slavic alphabet by Cyril and Methodius in 863. Since that time, Bulgaria has been considered the “cradle” of Slavic culture and writing.
The first Bulgarian state (kingdom) reached its apogee in territorial and political power from 893 to 927 during the reign of Simeon the Great. The ruler significantly expanded the country's lands. This happened after his victory over the Byzantines in 917 in the area of the Ahelous River. Thus, Simeon expanded the borders to Greece (the Galipoli Peninsula), then captured Macedonia. After this, the ruler accepted Serbia under the protection and control of his ally.
In the period from 927 to 969, Bulgaria experienced decline. He was in power. Following the past wars, poverty set in. Robbery on the part of fairly large feudal lords and the unbearable burden of taxes led to resistance and discontent among the masses. The Bogomil movement began, which was created and led by the priest Dovodkam.
In 968, the northeastern part of Bulgaria was occupied by the Kyiv prince Svyatoslav. However, after some time he went over to the side of Boris 2, who ascended the throne after Peter 1.
The Byzantine army, having driven out the Russians, occupied Bulgarian territory. Boris 2 was captured. The former ruler remained a hostage of the Byzantines in Constantinople. The Emperor of Byzantium cut down many territories of the Bulgarian state.
The western part of Bulgaria did not last longer than half a century. The army of Vasily 2 in 1014 defeated the troops of King Samuel.
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