BULGARIA
See also CITY OF SOFIA
BULGARIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH
CATHOLIC HIERARCHY IN BULGARIA 1871 - 1945
OSMANLI BULGARIA 1871 - 1878
The medieval state of Bulgaria - founded in the 7th century - was conquered by the
Osmanli in 1396 and unlike some other conquered states, which continued to exist
as tributaries, it was simply annexed to their empire.
The conquered territory was divided into several Sandjaks, at first all part of
the Elayet Rumeli, but later regrouped into new Elayet or Vilayet and on the eve
of the Russian intervention in 1877, the Bulgarian territory was divided between
the three Vilayet of :
- Edirne
- Kosova
- Tuna
Following the crushing of the Bulgarian revolt of 1876 (1) Russian troops invaded
the Osmanli provinces in the Balkans and after a brief campaign terminated Osmanli
rule in the Bulgarian parts.
(1) Bulgarian resistance against Osmanli rule had actually never ceased.
But most revolts only had a local impact and it was only after the
Crimean War that organizations aiming at the total liberation of the
country appeared.
Central Bulgarian Revolutionary Committee
Founded in 1870 in Bucharest to coordinate all Bulgarian revolutionary
activities
Chairmen
1870 - 187. Lyuben Stoychev Karavelov 1837 - 1879
187. - 1875 Hristo Botev 1848 - 1876
1875 Panayot Khitov*
(After this no new chairman was elected)
Members
1875 - 187. -Dragoi Shopov
-Ivan Drasov
-Hristo Chobanov
-Dimitur Tsenovich
-Hristo Botev s.a.
Representatives in Bulgaria
(coordinated the activities of the different district-
committees in Bulgaria itself)
1871 - 1872 Vasil Ivanov Levski,
Chairman of the Lovech
Committee (also styled
Section I of the BRCC -
Bulgarian Provisional
Government) acted semi-
independently. 1837 - 1873
1873 Atanas Uzunov
1873 - 187. Stepan Nikolov Stambolov,
left Bulgaria in 1874 1854 - 1895
By the end of 1875 the Committee actually ceased to function.
Gyurgevo Bulgarian Revolutionary Committee
Founded in the Rumanian town of Gyurgevo as supreme coordinating
committee in 1875
Leaders
(Chairman ?)
1875 - 1876 -Georgi Apostolov
-Georgi Benkovski
-Ilarion Dragostinov 1852 - 1876
-Georgi Ikonomov
-Georgi Izmirliev
-Hristo Karaminkov
-Georgi Obretenov
-Nikola Obretenov
-Nikola Slavkov
-Stepan Nikolov Stambolov s.a.
-Panayot Volov 1847 - 1876
-Stoyan Zaimov
Representatives in Bulgaria ("Apostels")
(leaders of the regional committees and of the failed
revolts of apr 1876)
Plovdiv Region
1875 - 1876 Panayot Volov s.a.
Sliven Region
1875 - 1876 Ilarion Dragostinov s.a.
Turnovo Region
1875 - 1876 Stepan Nikolov Stambolov s.a.
Vratsa Region
1875 - 1876 Stoyan Zaimov s.a.
Bulgarian Central Charitable Society
Despite its name this society became the leading Bulgarian revolutionary
institution after the failed revolt of 1876.
Its main occupation was the recrutement of Bulgarian volunteers for the
Serbian army fighting the Osmanli.
It ceased to function after the outbreak of the war with Russia in 1877.
Chairman
1876 - 1877 Dragan Kiriakov Tsankov 1828 - 1911
The quelling of the Bulgarian revolt caused the intervention of the
Great Powers and at the Conference of Constantinople (1876 - 1877) it
was decided to divide the Bulgarian territories into two autonomous
Vilayet :
- Sofya (Bulg.: Sofija) : which would not only include the Valilik
of Sofya and part of the Tuna Vilayet but
also parts of the "Macedonian" Vilayet of
Monastir and Selanik.
- Tirnovo (Bulg.: Turnovo) : which would include most of the Tuna
Vilayet and part of the Edirne Vilayet.
The project seems never to have been implemented by the Osmanli.
__________________________________________________________________________________
RUSSIAN ADMINISTRATORS
Commander of the Russian troops in the Balkans
(only in charge of military operations)
1877 -1878 Veliky Knyaz Nikolay Nikolaevich
Romanov 1831 - 1891
Governors - Heads of the Civil Administration of Bulgaria
1877 Dmitry Gavrilovich Anuchin*
1877 - 1878 Knyaz Vladimir Aleksandrovich
Cherkasskiy 1824 - 1878
1878 Dmitry Gavrilovich Anuchin* (2x)
PRINCIPALITY OF BULGARIA
By the Treaty of San Stefano in 1878 - that followed their defeat against Russia -
the Osmanli agreed to allow the creation of an autonomous Bulgarian principality
out of their Balkan possessions.
The proposed frontiers for the new entity (most territories of the above mentioned
project of 1877, enlarged with some new parts of Edirne and Selanik) were however
not accepted by the other Great Powers and as a result of a Conference at Berlin,
the following new arrangements were made :
- creation of an autonmous Principality of Bulgaria out of most of the Vilayet of
Tuna (Tulca Sandjak becoming part of Rumania), the Sofya Sandjak (detached from
the Edirne Vilayet) and the Breznik area of the Shehirkoy Sandjak of the Kosova
Vilayet.
- creation of an autonmous Vilayet of East Rumelia out of parts of Edirne.
- retrocession of the other territories to the Osmanli.
RUSSIAN ADMINISTRATORS
CHIEF ADMINISTRATORS
Governors - Heads of the Civil Administration of Bulgaria
1878 Dmitry Gavrilovich Anuchin* s.a
1878 Knyaz Aleksandr Mikhailovich
Dondukov-Korsakov 1822 - 1883
Imperial Commissioner
1878 - 1879 Knyaz Aleksandr Mikhailovich
Dondukov-Korsakov s.a.
Head of the Chancellery of the Imperial Commissioner
(entrusted with diplomatic affairs)
1878 - 1879 Gen. Mikhail ... Domontovich
HEADS OF THE DEPARTMENTS
(acting as a kind of provisional ministers)
Head of the Department of War
1878 - 1879 Gen. ... Zolotarev
Head of the Department of Home Affairs
1878 - 1879 Gen. ... Gresser
Head of the Department of Justice
1878 - 1879 S. A. Lukyanov
Head of the Department of Finances
1878 - 1879 Konstantin Buch
__________________________________________________________________________________
OSMANLI AND RUSSIAN REPRESENTATIVES
Osmanli Imperial Commissioners
(Possibly incomplete. No commissioners seem to have been appointed before 1887)
18.. - 189. Najib Bey*
189. - 1897 Niazi Bey
1897 - 1902 Najib Effendi Melhame
1902 - 1904 Ali Faruh Bey
1904 - 1908 Gen. Sadiq Pasha
1908 Vasiq Bey*
Russian Diplomatic Representatives
(Russian presence and influence remained very important until the events of 1886
and on several occasions Russians were appointed to important departments)
Diplomatic Agents
1878 - 1879 Aleksandr Petrovich Davydov 1838 - 1885
1880 - 1881 Aleksey Mikhailovich Kumani 1832 -
1881 - 1883 Mikhail Aleksandrovich Chitrovo 1837 - 1906
1883 - 1884 Aleksandr Semenovich Yonin 1837 - 1900
1884 - 1886 Aleksandr Ivanovich Kojander 1847 - 1910
1886 Gen. Nikolay (Vasilyevich)
Baron von Kaulbars 1842 - 1905
In 1886 diplomatic relations were broken off until 1896.
__________________________________________________________________________________
HEADS OF STATE
Princes
Also Governors General of East Rumelia 1886 - 1908
House of Battenberg
1879 - 1886 Aleksandur, (Alexander Joseph,
Prinz von Battenberg), abdicated (1) 1857 - 1893
1886 - 1887 interregnum (2)
Regency Council during the interregnum
1886 - 1887 -Stepan Nikolov Stambolov s.a.
-Petko Stoychev Karavelov 1840 - 1903
(to oct 27 1886)
-Georgi Atanasov Zhivkov 1844 - 1899
(from nov 13 1886)
-Col. Sava Atanasov Mutkurov 1852 - 1891
House of Sachsen-Coburg and Gotha
(Act. : House of Wettin - Ernestine Line - Branch of Gotha - Subbranch of Sachsen-
Coburg und Gotha)
1887 - 1908 Ferdinand I (Ferdinand Maximilian
Karl Leopold, Prinz von Sachsen-
Coburg und Gotha, Herzog von Sachsen)
recognized by the Osmanli government
in 1896 (and granted the rank of
FieldMarsh. in the Osmanli Army) 1861 - 1948
(1) Events of 1886 leading to the abdication of Alexandur :
Aug 21 : a group of (pro Russian?) offiers kidnapped Prince Aleksandur
and forced him to sign his abdication. A Provisional Regency
was installed.
-Kliment, Metropolitan of Turnovo
(Chairman) 1841 - 1903
-Maj. ... Gruev
-Dragan Kiriakov Tsankov s.a.
Aug 24 : counterrevolution supported by loyal troops in the southern
parts of the country and East Rumelia.
A pro-Aleksandur government assumed power.
-Petko Stoychev Karavelov (Chairman) s.a.
-Konstantin Stoilov 1853 - 1901
-Vasil Hristov Radoslavov 1854 - 1929
-G. Oroshakov
-Ivan Evstratiev Geshov 1849 - 1924
-Todor Ivanchov 1858 - 1905
-Olimpy Panov
-P. Popov
Aug 28 : a pro-Aleksandur Princely Administration was installed. The
conspirators of aug 21 were arrested
-Stepan Nikolov Stambolov (Chairman) s.a.
-Petko Rachev Slaveykov 1827 - 1895
-Georgi Ivanov Stranski 1848 -
Aug 29 : Prince Aleksandur returned to the throne.
Sep 07 : final abdication of Prince Aleksandur.
(2) In nov 1886 Prince Waldemar of Denmark (1858 - 1939) was elected
Prince, bur he declined.
_________________________________________________________________________________
MINISTERS
Until the formation of the first government the Russian heads of department (s .a.)
continued in office
(K) = members of the government established by the anti Aleksandur conspirators.
Prime Ministers
1879 Todor Stoyanov Burmov 1834 - 1906
1879 - 1880 Kliment, Metropolitan of Turnovo s.a.
1880 Dragan Kiriakov Tsankov s.a.
1880 - 1881 Petko Stoychev Karavelov s.a.
1881 Gen. Johann Casimir (Gustavovich)
Ehrnrot (Rus) 1833 - 1913
1881 - 1882 none. Prince Aleksandur chaired
the Council.
1882 - 1883 Gen. Leonid Nikolayevich Sobolev (Rus) 1844 - 1913
1883 - 1884 Dragan Kiriakov Tsankov (2x)
1884 - 1886 Petko Stoychev Karavelov (2x)
1886 Kliment, Metropolitan of Turnovo (2x) (K)
1886 Petko Stoychev Karavelov (3x)
1886 - 1887 Vasil Khristov Radoslavov s.a.
1887 Konstantin Stoilov s.a.
1887 - 1894 Stepan Nikolov Stambolov s.a.
1894 - 1899 Konstantin Stoilov (2x)
1899 Dimitur Panayotov Grekov 1847 - 1901
1899 - 1901 Todor Ivanchov s.a.
1901 Gen. Racho Petrov Petrov 1861 - 1924
1901 - 1902 Petko Soychev Karavelov (4x)
1902 - 1903 Stoyan Petrov Danev 1858 - 1949
1903 - 1906 Gen. Racho Petrov Petrov (2x)
1906 - 1907 Dimitur Petkov 1856 - 1907
1907 Dimitur Stanchov*
1907 - 1908 Petur Todorov Gudev 1863 - 1932
1908 Aleksandur Pavlov Malinov 1867 - 1938
Ministers of Foreign Affairs
1879 Marko Dimitriev Balabanov 1837 - 1941
1879 - 1880 Grigori D. Nachovich 1845 - 1920
1880 Dragan Kiriakov Tsankov s.a.
1880 - 1881 Nikola Stoychev
1881 Gen. Johann Casimir (Gustavovich)
Ehrnrot (Rus) s.a.
1881 - 1883 Georgi Valkovich
1883 Konstantin Stoilov s.a.
1883 Dragan Kiriakov Tsankov (2x)
1883 - 1884 Marko Dimitriev Balabanov (2x)
1884 - 1886 Ilija Chanov
1886 Hristo Stoyanov (K)
1886 Konstantin Stoilov (2x)
1886 - 1887 Grigori D. Nachovich (2x)
1887 - 1890 Georgi Ivanov Stranski s.a.
1890 Stepan Nikolov Stambolov* s.a.
1890 - 1894 Dimitur Panayotov Grekov s.a.
1894 - 1896 Grigori D. Nachovich (3x)
1896 - 1899 Konstantin Stoilov (3x)
1899 Dimitur Panayotov Grekov* (2x)
1899 - 1900 Todor Ivanchov s.a.
1900 - 1901 Dimitur Tonchev 1859 - 1937
1901 Gen. Racho Petrov Petrov* s.a.
1901 - 1903 Stoyan Petrov Danev s.a.
1903 - 1906 Gen. Racho Petrov Petrov (2x)
1906 - 1908 Dimitur Stanchov s.a.
1908 Gen. Stepan Paprikov
Ministers of Defense
Ministers of War
1879 - 1880 Gen. Petur Parensov
1880 - 1881 Gen. Johann Casimir (Gustavovich)
Ehrnrot (Rus) s.a.
1881 - 1882 Gen. Arnold von Römlingen (Rus)
1882 Gen. Vladimir ... Krylov (Rus)
1882 - 1883 Gen. Aleksander (Vasilyevich)
Baron von Kaulbars (Rus) 1844 - 1920
1883 - 1885 Gen. Mikhail A. Kantakuzin (Rus)
1885 - 1886 Konstantin Nikoforov (K)
1886 Olimpy Panov s.a.
1886 - 1887 Col. Danail Nikolaev
1887 Col. Racho Petrov Petrov s.a.
1887 - 1890 Col. Sava Atanasov Mutkurov s.a.
1890 - 1894 Col. Mihail Savov
1894 - 1896 Col. Racho Petrov Petrov (2x)
1896 - 1899 Col. Nikola Ivanov
1899 - 1903 Gen. Stepan Paprikov s.a.
1903 Stoyan Petrov Danev* s.a.
1903 - 1907 Col. Mihail Savov (2x)
1907 - 1908 Gen. Danail Nikolaev (2x)
Ministers of Home Affairs
1879 Todor Stoyanov Burmov s.a.
1879 - 1880 Todor Ikonomov
1880 Georgi Tishev
1880 Dragan Kiriakov Tsankov s.a.
1880 - 1881 Petko Rachev Slaveykov s.a.
1881 Gen. Johann Casimir (Gustavovich)
Ehrnrot Rus) s.a.
1881 - 1882 Gen. Arnold von Römlingen (Rus) s.a.
1882 Grigor D. Nachovich s.a.
1882 - 1883 Gen. Leonid Nikolayevich Sobolev (Rus) s.a.
1883 - 1884 Dragan Kiriakov Tsankov (2x)
1884 - 1885 Petko Rachev Slaveykov (2x)
1885 Nikola Sukharov
1885 - 1886 Petko Stoychev Karavelov* s.a.
1886 Dragan Kiriakov Tsankov (3x) (K)
1886 - 1887 Vasil Hristov Radoslavov s.a.
1887 Georgi Ivanov Stranski s.a.
1887 - 1894 Stepan Nikolov Stambolov s.a.
1894 - 1896 Konstantin Stoilov s.a.
1896 - 1899 R. Benev
1899 - 1901 Vasil Hristov Radoslavov (2x)
1901 Gen. Racho Petrov Petrov s.a.
1901 - 1902 Mihail Sarafov 1854 - 1906
1902 - 1903 Aleksandur Lyudskanov
1903 - 1907 Dimitur Petkov s.a.
1907 Nikola Ivanov Genadiev* 1866 - 1923
1907 - 1908 Petur Todorov Gudev s.a.
1908 Mihail Takev
Ministers of Justice
1879 - 1880 Dimitur Panayotov Grekov s.a.
1880 Hristo Stoyanov s.a.
1880 - 1881 Petko Stoychev Karavelov* s.a.
1881 Porfiri Stamatov
1881 - 1882 Georgi Teoharov
1882 - 1883 Dimitur Panayotov Grekov (2x)
1883 Georgi Teoharov (2x)
1883 - 1884 Konstantin Stoilov s.a.
1884 - 1886 Vasil Hristov Radoslavov (K) s.a.
1886 G. Oroshakov s.a.
1886 Dimitur Tonchev s.a.
1886 - 1888 Konstantin Stoilov (3x)
1888 - 1891 Dimitur Tonchev (2x)
1891 - 1893 Ivan Salabashev 1853 - 1924
1893 - 1894 Petur Slavkov
1894 Vasil Hristov Radoslavov (2x)
1894 Petur Peshev
1894 - 1895 D. Minchevich
1895 - 1897 Todor Todorov 1859 - 1924
1897 - 1899 G. Zgurev
1899 - 1901 Petur Peshev (2x)
1901 Petur Danchov
1901 - 1903 Aleksandur Radev
1903 - 1904 Nikola Ivanov Genadiev s.a.
1904 - 1905 ... Staykov
1905 - 1908 Konstantin Panayotov
1908 T. Krushtev
Ministers of Finances
1879 - 1880 Grigori D. Nachovich s.a.
1880 - 1881 Petko Stoychev Karavelov s.a.
1881 - 1882 Georgi Jeliazkovich 1829 - 1889
1882 - 1883 Grigori D. Nachovich (2x)
1883 Gen. Leonid Nikolayevich Sobolev* (Rus) s.a.
1883 Todor Stoyanov Burmov s.a.
1883 - 1884 Grigori D. Nachovich (3x)
1884 Mihail Safarov s.a.
1884 - 1886 Petko Stoychev Karavelov (2x)
1886 Todor Stoyanov Burmov (2x)
1886 Ivan Evstratiev Geshov s.a.
1886 Grigori D. Nachovich* (4x) (K)
1886 Ivan Evstratiev Geshov (2x)
1886 - 1887 Vasil Hristov Radoslavov s.a.
1887 Konstantin Stoilov* s.a.
1887 - 1888 Grigori D. Nachovich (5x)
1888 - 1890 Ivan Salabashev s.a.
1890 Georgi Atanasov Zhivkov s.a.
1890 - 1891 Hristo Belchev 1844 - 1891
1891 - 1892 Grigori D. Nachovich (6x)
1892 - 1894 Ivan Salabasev (2x)
1894 - 1897 Ivan Evstratiev Geshov (3x)
1897 - 1899 Todor Todorov s.a.
1899 - 1900 Mihail Tenev
1900 - 1901 Todor Ivanchov s.a.
1901 Hristo Bonchev
1901 - 1902 Petko Stoychev Karavelov (3x)
1902 - 1903 Mihail Sarafov (2x)
1903 Anton Manushev 1864 - 1903
1903 - 1908 Lazar Payakov 1860 -
1908 Ivan Salabashev (3x)
AUTONOMOUS OSMANLI VILAYET OF EAST RUMELIA
The autonomous Vilayet of East Rumelia (Turk.: Rumeli Sharki) was created in 1878
out of the Sandjaks Filibe (Bulg.: Plovdiv) and Islimiye (Bulg. Sliven) of Edirne
Vilayet.
It was under Russian rule until 1879, when the first Christian Governor General
was appointed.
In 1885 a revolt in favour of the union with Bulgaria broke out and the territory
- renamed South Bulgaria - was incorporated into the principality.
The following year East Rumelia again became an autonomous Vilayet of the Empire
only linked to Bulgaria by a personal union, the Bulgarian Prince now becoming its
Governor General. (1)
(1) De facto it was however administered as a part of Bulgaria :
It was divided into 5 Bulgarian departments (Burgos, Haskovo, Plovdiv,
Sliven and Stara-Zagora), Sliven was the seat of a Bulgarian Court of
Appeal, the territory was divided into 2 Bulgarian military districts,
...
__________________________________________________________________________________
CHIEF ADMINISTRATORS
Russian Civil Administrator
1878 - 1879 Arkady Dmitrievich Stolypin 1821 - 1899
Governors General
(possibly with the Osmanli style Vali)
1879 - 1884 Aleksandur Stepanov Bogoridi
(Alexandros Stephanou Vogoridis)
"Aleko Pasha" 1823 - 1910
1884 - 1885 Gavril Baev Krustevich "Gavril
Pasha", deposed after a pro-Bulgarian
revolt 1820 - 1898
Chairman of the Provisional Government
1885 Georgi Ivanov Stranski s.a.
Bulgarian Commissioner for South Bulgaria
1885 - 1886 Georgi Ivanov Stranski s.a.
Governors General
1886 - 1908 the Princes of Bulgaria s.a.
__________________________________________________________________________________
HEADS OF THE ADMINISTRATION
Chief Secretaries
1879 - 18.. Gavril Baev Krustevich "Gavril
Pasha" s.a.
18.. - 1885 ...
KINGDOM OF BULGARIA
In 1908 the Principality of Bulgaria and the Autonomous Vilayet of East Rumelia were
formally merged into the Kingdom of Bulgaria, which declared its full independence
of the Osmanli Empire. (1)
(1) The new situation was recognized by the Empire in 1909 by the Convention
of Constantinople.
Bulgarian expansion 1912 - 1944
1912 - 1913 : in the course of the Balkan Wars, the Bulgarians occupied
large parts of the Osmanli Vilayet of Monastir and Selanik
and nearly all of the Vilayet of Edirne.
By the Treaty of Bucharest of 1913 Bulgaria however only
retained some parts of Selanik (part of the Sandjak Drama)
and of Edirne (Sandjaks of Dedeagach, of Dimehoka and of
Gümülgine), forming so called West Thracia
By the same treaty it was also forced to cede so called
Southern Dobruja to Rumania.
1915 - 1918 : occupation and annexation of large parts of Serbia and
brief intervention in Albanian affairs in 1915 - 1916
1919 : by the Treaty of Neuilly Bulgaria was forced to surrender
most of its conquests since 1913.
1940 : by the Treaty of Craiova Southern Dobruja was returned to
Bulgaria.
1941 - 1944 : for the duration of the war, Bulgaria occupied and annexed
parts of Yugoslavia (Macedonia) and of Greece (Macedonia
and West Thracia).
It also participated in the occupation of Serbia.
See here for Bulgaria during WWII
__________________________________________________________________________________
HEADS OF STATE
Kings
Tsars
Full Style : King of the Bulgarians
House of Sachsen-Coburg-Gotha
1908 - 1918 Ferdinand I, abdicated after the
Bulgarian defeat in WWI (2) s.a.
1918 - 1943 Boris III (Boris Klemens Robert Maria
Pius Ludwig Stanislaus Xaver), son 1894 - 1943
1943 - 1946 Simeon II, son 1937 -
Regents during the minority of the King
1943 Bogdan Dimitrov Filov
(until sep 14) 1883 - 1945
1943 Dobri Bozhilov Khadzhiyanakev
(until sep 21) 1884 - 1945
Regency Councils during the minority of the King
1943 - 1944 -Prince Kirill (Kyril
Heinrich Franz Ludwig
Anton Karl Philipp),
Prince of Preslav, uncle
of the King 1895 - 1945
-Bogdan Dimitrov Filov s.a.
-Gen. Nikola Mihov 1891 - 1945
1944 - 1946 -Venelin Ganev 1880 -
-Todor Dimitrov Pavlov 1890 - 1977
-Tsvetko Boboshevski
(2) The end of WWI was followed by a brief allied occupation by forces of
the Army of the Orient and by some revolutionary agitation
- the Radomir republican movement of 1918.
On sep 25 1918 retreating Bulgarian soldiers mutined and seized the
headquarters in Radomir.
The royal government dispatched two leaders of the Agrarian Party to
negociate with the mutineers, but they rallied to them and on sep 27
proclaimed both the King and the government deposed and proclaimed a
republican regime.
They then marched on Sofia, but were defeated on sep 30 by loyal and
German troops. The last revoltees surrendered on oct 02.
President of the Provisional Government
1918 Aleksandur Stroymenov Stamboliyski 1879 - 1923
Commander in Chief
1918 Rayko Ivanov Daskalov 1886 - 1923
- the Communist revolt of 1923.
In 1923 the murder of the Agrarian prime minister Stamboliyski (s.a.)
and the appointment of the new rightist government Tsankov (see below)
were followed by some agitation which was at its highest in september,
when a Communist led uprising toke place in North-Western Bulgaria
(sep 23 -sep 29).
Supreme Military Revolution Committee
1923 - 1923 -Georgi Mihailov Dimitrov 1882 - 1949
-Gavril Genov
-Vasil Petrov Kolarov 1877 - 1950
See here for more on the Bulgarian Communist Party.
__________________________________________________________________________________
MINISTERS
(FF) = a member of the Fatherland Front (see below)
Prime Ministers
1908 - 1911 Aleksandur Pavlov Malinov s.a.
1911 - 1913 Ivan Evstratiev Geshov s.a.
1913 Stoyan Petrov Danev (2x)
1913 - 1918 Vasil Hristov Radoslavov (2x)
1918 Aleksandur Pavlov Malinov (2x)
1918 - 1919 Todor Todorov s.a.
1919 - 1923 Aleksandur Stroymenov Stamboliyski,
assassinated s.a.
1923 - 1926 Aleksandur Tsolov Tsankov 1879 - 1959
1926 - 1931 Andrey Tasev Lyapchev 1866 - 1933
1931 Aleksandur Pavlov Malinov (3x)
1931 - 1934 Nikola Stoykov Mushanov 1872 - 1951
1934 - 1935 Col. Kimon Georgiev Stoyanov 1882 - 1969
1935 Gen. Petur Ivanov Zlatev 1881 - 1948
1935 Andrey Slavev Toshev 1867 - 1944
1935 - 1940 Georgi Ivanov Kyoseivanov 1884 - 1960
1940 - 1943 Bogdan Dimitrov Filov s.a.
1943 - 1944 Dobri Bozhilov Khadzhiyanakev s.a.
1944 Ivan Ivanov Bagrianov 1891 - 1945
1944 Konstantin "Kosta" Mladov Muraviev 1893 - 1965
1944 - 1946 Col. Kimon Georgiev Stoyanov (2x) (FF)
Ministers of Foreign Affairs
1908 - 1910 Gen. Stepan Paprikov s.a.
1910 - 1911 Aleksandur Pavlov Malinov s.a.
1911 - 1913 Ivan Evstratiev Geshov s.a.
1913 Stoyan Petrov Danev (2x)
1913 Nikola Ivanov Genadiev s.a.
1913 - 1918 Vasil Hristov Radoslavov s.a.
1918 Aleksandur Pavlov Malinov (2x)
1918 - 1919 Todor Todorov s.a.
1919 - 1920 Mihail Ivanov Madzarov 1854 - 1944
1920 - 1923 Aleksandur Stroymenov Stamboliyski s.a.
1923 - 1926 Col. Hristo Kalfov 1883 -
1926 - 1931 Atanas Dimitriev Burov 1875 - 1954
1931 Aleksandur Pavlov Malinov (3x)
1931 - 1934 Nikola Stoylov Mushanov s.a.
1934 - 1935 Kosta Batalov
1935 - 1940 Georgi Ivanov Kyoseivanov s.a.
1940 - 1941 Ivan Vladimir Popov 1890 -
1941 - 1942 Alexandur Nikolaev
1942 - 1943 Bogdan Dimitrov Filov s.a.
1943 Sava Kirov 1893 -
1943 - 1944 Dimitur Shishmanov 1889 -
1944 Ivan Ivanov Bagrianov s.a.
1944 Parvan Draganov 1890 -
1944 Konstantin "Kosta" Mladov Muraviev s.a.
1944 - 1946 Petko Stainov (FF) 1899 - 1972
Ministers of Defense
Ministers of War
1908 - 1911 Gen. Danail Nikolaev s.a.
1911 - 1913 Gen. Nikifor Nikiforov
1913 Gen. Stilyan Kovashev
1913 Gen. Georgi Vasov
1913 - 1914 Gen. Kliment Boyadziev
1914 - 1915 Gen. Ivan Fichev
1915 Gen. Nikola Yekov
1915 - 1918 Gen. Kalin Naydenov
1918 Gen. Mihail Savov (3x)
1918 Ivan Lukov
1918 - 1919 Andrey Tasev Lyapchev s.a.
1919 Stoyan Petrov Danev s.a.
1919 - 1+20 Aleksandur Stroymenov Stamboliyski s.a.
1920 - 1921 Aleksandur Dimitrov
1921 - 1923 Konstantin Tomov
1923 Aleksandur Stroymenov Stamboliyski* (2x)
1923 Konstantin "Kosta" Mladov Muraviev s.a.
1923 - 1929 Col. Ivan Valkov
1929 - 1931 Gen. Nikola Bahardziev
1931 - 1934 Gen. Georgi Kishov 1879 -
1934 Gen. ... Vatev
1934 - 1935 Gen. Petur Ivanov Zlatev s.a.
1935 Gen. Boyan Tsanev
1935 - 1938 Gen. Hristo Lukov
1938 - 1942 Gen. Teodosi Daskalov
1942 - 1943 Gen. Nikola Mihov s.a.
1943 - 1944 Gen. Rusti Rushev
1944 Gen. Ivan Marinov
1944 - 1946 Gen. Damyan Velchev (FF)
Ministers of Home Affairs
1908 - 1910 Mihail Takev s.a.
1910 - 1911 Nikola Stoylov Mushanov s.a.
1911 - 1913 Aleksandur Lyudskanov (2x)
1913 - 1915 Vasil Hristov Radoslavov s.a.
1915 - 1916 Hristo Popov*
1916 - 1918 Vasil Hristov Radoslavov* (2x)
1918 Mihail Takev (2x)
1918 - 1919 Nikola Stoylov Mushanov (2x)
1919 Krusto Pastushov
1919 - 1920 Aleksandur Dimitrov s.a.
1920 - 1921 Konstantin Tomov s.a.
1921 - 1922 Aleksandur Radolov
1922 - 1923 Rayko Daskalov
1923 Hristo Stoyanov s.a.
1923 - 1926 Ivan Rushev
1926 - 1931 Andrey Tasev Lyapchev s.a.
1931 Nikola Stoylov Mushanov (3x)
1931 - 1934 Aleksandur Girginov 1879 - 1953
1934 - 1935 Gen. Petur Midilev
1935 Gen. Krum Kolev
1935 Gen. Rasko Atanasov
1935 - 1936 Gen. Georgi Sapov
1936 - 1938 Ivan Krasnovsky
1938 LtKol. Nikola Nikolaev 1887 -
1938 - 1940 Gen. Nedo Nedev
1940 - 1943 Petur Gabrovsky
1943 - 1944 Docho Hristov
1944 Aleksandur Stanishev
1944 Virgil Dimov
1944 - 1946 Anton Tanev Yugov (FF) 1904 - 1991
Ministers of Justice
1908 - 1910 T. Krushtev
1910 - 1911 Hristo Slaveykov
1911 - 1913 Petur Abrashev
1913 Petur Peshev
1913 - 1918 Hristo Popov s.a.
1918 Josif Fadenheht
1918 Aleksandur Pavlov Malinov s.a.
1918 - 1919 Petur Dzidrov
1919 ...
1919 - 1920 Marko Turlakov* 1853 - 1940
1920 - 1921 Aleksandur Radolov s.a.
1921 - 1923 Petur Yanev 1886 - 1925
1923 - 1924 Boyan Smilov
1924 - 1926 Tsvetko Bobosevsky
1926 - 1930 Todor Kulev
1930 - 1931 ... Mironov
1931 - 1932 ... Babenov
1932 - 1934 Dimitur Gichev*
1934 Yordan Kacakov
1934 - 1935 Col. Kimon Georgiev Stoyanov s.a.
1935 Mihail Kalendarov 1887 -
1935 Lyuben Dikov
1935 Vasil Karadzozov
1935 - 1936 Dimitur Peshev
1936 - 1937 Vasil Karadzozov (2x)
1937 - 1938 Aleksandur Ognyanov
1938 Ilcho Kozuharov
1938 - 1939 N. Yotov
1939 - 1942 Vasil Mitakov
1942 - 1944 Konstantin Partov
1944 Rusti Rushev
1944 Aleksandur Staliysky
1944 Boris Pavlov
1944 - 1946 Mincho Neychev (FF)
Ministers of Finances
1908 - 1910 Ivan Salabashev s.a.
1910 - 1911 Andrey Tasev Lyapchev s.a.
1911 - 1913 Todor Todorov s.a.
1913 Dimitur Tonchev s.a.
1913 - 1915 Todor Todorov (2x)
1915 - 1918 Dimitur Tonchev (2x)
1918 Andrey Tasev Lyapchev (2x)
1918 - 1919 Stoyan Petrov Danev s.a.
1919 Rayko Ivanov Daskalov s.a.
1919 - 1920 Marko Turlakov s.a.
1920 Stoyan Petrov Danev (2x)
1920 - 1923 Marko Turlakov (2x)
1923 Petur Yanev* s.a.
1923 - 1924 Petur Todorov 1883 -
1924 - 1931 Vladimir Mollov 1873 - 1935
1931 Aleksandur Girginov s.a.
1931 - 1934 Stepan Stepanov 1876 - 1946
1934 - 1935 Petur Todorov (2x)
1935 Mihail Kalendarov s.a.
1935 Marko Ryazkov 1883 - 1972
1935 Stoycho Mushanov 1892 - 1975
1935 - 1938 Kiril Gunev 1887 -
1938 - 1944 Dobri Bozhilov Khadzhiyanakev s.a.
1944 Dimitur Savov 1887 - 1951
1944 Aleksandur Girginov (2x)
1944 - 1945 Petko Stoyanov (FF) 1876 - 1946
__________________________________________________________________________________
ADMINISTRATORS IN BULGARIA DURING WWII
In 1941 Bulgaria became an ally of the German Empire.
Compared to some other allies of Germany of this period, it always maintained a
very large degree of independence and did for instance never declare war on the
U.S.S.R. (3) and never fully implemented anti Jewish laws as the Germans asked,
at least not as far as Bulgaria proper was concerned.
In 1944, at the approach of the Soviet army, the Fatherland Front seized power and
proclaimed Bulgarias' neutrality. (4)
This didn't however prevent the countrys' occupation by allied (=Soviet) forces
for some three years.
(3) To the great discontent of the Germans, the Soviet Embassy was never
closed, even not after their invasion in the U.S.S.R.
(4) The Fatherland Front (OF-Otechestven Front) was founded in 1942 as an
umbrella organization of four political parties opposed to the royal
regime and its alliance with the Germans : the Bulgarian Communist Party
(BKP-Bulgarska Komunisticheska Partija), the Bulgarian Peasants Peoples
League (BZNS-Bulgarski Zemedelski Naroden Sajuz), the Social Democratic
Party (SDP-Socialdemokraticheska Partija) and the Zveno Peoples' League
(NSZ-Naroden Sujuz Zveno),
The BKP was founded in 1919 as a split of the Bulgarian Workers' Social
Democatic Party, itself founded in 1891.
After the failed uprising of sep 1923 (s.a) it was outlawed in 1924 and
most of its leaders went into exile in the Soviet Union.
The party re-emerged after the German invasion in the U.S.S.R. in 1941
and established the first armed partizan groups (cheti)
In 1942 it became the de facto leading force of the resistance and of the
Fatherland Front government that came to power after the entry of Soviet
forces in Bulgaria in 1944.
__________________________________________________________________________________
GERMAN DIPLOMATIC REPRESENTATIVES
(in charge of all relations with the Bulgarian authorities)
Envoys Extraordinary and Ministers Plenipotentiary
Ausserordentlicher Gesandter und Bevollmachtiger Minister
1939 - 1941 Herbert Freiherr von Richthofen 1879 - 1952
1941 - 1944 SA Gruppenführer Adolf Heinz
Beckerle 1902 - 1976
Head of the Bureau of the Office of Foreign Affairs for Bulgaria and Rumania
Chef der Dienststelle des Auswärtigen Amts für Bulgarien und Rumänien
1944 - 1945 Günther Altenburg 1894 - 1984
NATIONAL BULGARIAN GOVERNMENT IN GERMANY
After the Soviet invasion, hardliners of collaboration with Germany, withdrew to
Berlin and established a National Government that lasted until may 1945.
Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Finances
1944 - 1945 Aleksandur Tsolov Tsankov s.a.
ALLIED COMMANDERS AND REPRESENTATIVES
Commander of the Allied troops operating in Bulgaria
Commander of the Third Ukrainian Army Group
1944 - 1945 Marsh. Fëdor Ivanovich Tolbukhin 1894 - 1949
Political Commissars
1943 - 1945 -ColGen. Aleksej Sergeevich Sheltov
-MajGen. Vladimir Makarovich Layoli
Chairmen of the Allied Control Council
1944 - 1945 ...
1945 - 1947 Gen. Sergey Semënovich Biriuzov 1904 - 1964
BULGARIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH
Christianism was introduced - or rather re-introduced, as there had already existed
communities in the region in Roman times - in what was to become Bulgaria in the
9th century.
Although there were some attempts to introduce the Latin rite and although some
some groups later indeed joined the Roman Catholic Church, most believers adhered
to the Orthodox Church.
In 911 a first Bulgarian Patriarchate was created.
It survived with some interruptions until 1393 when Bulgaria was conquered by the
Osmanli.
Thereafter the Bulgarian Orthodox community was integrated into the Patriarchate
of Constantinople and became dominated by the Greek clergy.
This situation lasted until 1870 when the community unilaterally established an
autocephalous Exarchate. (1)
(1) Autochephalous = fully independent as far as the organization was
concerned but in full communion with the other Orthodox Churches as
far as religious matters were concerned.
Unilke the Patriarchs of Constantinople, who didn't recognize the new
jurisdiction before 1945, the Osmanli authorities did and even made the
Exarchs heads of all Bulgarian believers in the whole Empire.
__________________________________________________________________________________
HEADS OF THE COMMUNITY
Exarchs of the Bulgarians (2)
1870 - 1872 Hilarion 1... - 1884
1872 - 1877 Anthimus 1... - 1878
1877 - 1915 Iosif 1... - 1915
1915 - 1945 vacant
Metropolitans of Sofia
(During the vacancy the Church was ruled by a Holy Synode of
Metropolitans, the most important of these being those of
Sofia)
18.. - 191. Parteni
19.. - 1922 Vasil, Archbishop of
Ruse*
1922 - 1948 Stepan 1878 - 1957
1945 - 1948 Stepan s.a.
(2) The Exarchs resided in Constantinople until 1913, when they moved to
Sofia.
See also here for the quarrel over Macedonia with the Serbian Orthodox
Church and here for the Bulgarian Orthodox Church in the U.S.
HOME
INDEX