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On September 22, 1908, in Veliko Tarnovo, Prince Ferdinand declared the independence of Bulgaria with a manifesto. This act effectively rejected the last vassal ties to the Ottoman Empire. The Principality of Bulgaria became an independent state headed by the crowned King Ferdinand. The High Gate, and then the great powers, officially recognized the independence of Bulgaria.
Independence Day was declared an official holiday by decision of the National Assembly on September 10, 1998. For a long time the importance of this event in modern history was not appreciated, but on this date in 1908 Bulgaria, one of the most ancient Europe, reappears on the map of Europe after five centuries of slavery.
The conditions for declaring independence
The young Bulgarian state at the beginning of the 20th century were extremely favorable: in the summer of 1908 the revolution of the Young Turks in the Ottoman Empire successfully ended the reformists. Austria-Hungary – one of the great powers that imposed the Treaty of Berlin, was preparing to annex two of the empire’s provinces – Bosnia and Herzegovina, that is. to break it.
For this reason, the Bulgarian prince Ferdinand went directly to Emperor Franz Joseph (they are in Vienna) to coordinate his actions. Meanwhile, the Bulgarian authorities seized the eastern railways in southern Bulgaria and this caused “known” economic contradictions between Austria-Hungary and our country. Even briefly, it surprised Ferdinand, who was afraid to declare independence.
But the government already decided to do this on September 22, 1908 in the church “St. 40 Martyrs” in the former capital of Bulgaria, Veliko Tarnovo, a symbolic act of continuation of the Second Kingdom of Bulgaria.
Austria-Hungary announces the annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina on September 20. Two days later in the church “St. 40 martyrs” Prince Ferdinand read the manifesto of the declaration of independence and offered a prayer for the prosperity of the Bulgarian state. Later, Prime Minister Malinov reread the manifesto on the historic hill of Tsarevets in front of a crowd of thousands.
The proclamation of independence was not only a great success for Bulgarian diplomacy, but even after that, the vassal principality began to be called the Kingdom of Bulgaria, and the Bulgarian ruler already had the title of king.
Years before, a new policy of rapprochement with Russia was needed. The beginning is established by Fernando, who begins
behind-the-scenes contacts with Russian diplomacy.
On May 19, 1894, Stambolov was overthrown. A government was formed, headed by Dr. Konstantin Stoilov.
The prince achieved his international recognition through reconciliation with Russia. In connection with the funeral of Alexander III, a Bulgarian delegation headed by Metropolitan Clement was solemnly received on July 4, 1895 by the new Russian Emperor Nicholas II. A day earlier, Stefan Stambolov was beheaded in Sofia, setting the new political course for Bulgaria.
On February 2, 1896, the heir to the throne, Prince Boris Tarnovski, converted to Orthodoxy and his godfather became Emperor Nicholas II. Ferdinand already enjoys an official reception in all European capitals, receiving the highest orders.
As commander-in-chief of the army, the monarch took care of its modernization and weaponry and the construction of an elite officer corps.
The prince supports modernization in all areas: the construction of post offices, railways, stations, ports. He likes cars, trains and airplanes, builds palaces, parks and gardens.
In his foreign policy, Fernando achieved not only reconciliation but also rapprochement with Russia. In 1902 a secret military convention was concluded between the two countries.
The restrictions of the Treaty of Berlin, according to which Bulgaria is a vassal principality, prevent the ruler and the country from fully developing their capabilities. That is why Ferdinand accepted the idea of independence.
The delicate situation that followed the violation of the Berlin Treaty has been successfully resolved.
The British Empire was won first,
which sets the condition: start negotiations between the Bulgarian government and the Upper Gate.
Negotiations began immediately, with the Bulgarian delegation headed by Andrey Lyapchev. During them, High Gate wants Bulgaria to pay a big tax. Later, in his capacity as prime minister, Malinov claimed that independence was not redeemed, not even the partial mobilization of the Bulgarian army.
Russia does not want a military conflict in the Balkans and is working to mediate the talks. She agreed to forgive the debt of the Ottoman Empire that remained from the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-78, in exchange for which the Upper Gate refused to seek compensation from Bulgaria and recognized its independence. Officially, this happened on April 6, 1909, after which for 10 days the European powers recognized Bulgaria as a kingdom and an independent state.
The proclamation of independence is undoubtedly the highest point of political self-awareness and self-determination of the Bulgarian nation in the years after the Liberation. From here, the Kingdom of Bulgaria began to prepare for the final accession of the remaining territories under Ottoman rule.
Manifesto to the Bulgarian people
“By the will of the unforgettable Tsar Liberator, the great fraternal people of Russia, aided by our good neighbors, subjects of His Majesty the King of Romania and the brave Bulgarians, on February 19, 1878, broke the chains of slaves that had bound Bulgaria for centuries, before so great and From then until today, for thirty years, the Bulgarian people, faithful to the memory of people’s figures for their freedom and inspired by their pacts, worked tirelessly to colonize their beautiful land and created from of her under My leadership and that of O’Bose, the late Prince Alexander, a state worthy of being an equal member of the family of civilized nations.
Always at peace, My People today yearns for your cultural and economic progress; nothing in this direction should stand in the way of Bulgaria; nothing should stand in the way of your success. Such is the desire of My People, such is their will: to be as He wants.
The Bulgarian people and their Head of State cannot think the same and they want the same. In fact, independently, My country is hampered in its normal and calm development by some clauses, with the formal break, that will eliminate the cooling-off between Bulgaria and Turkey.
My people and I sincerely rejoice at Turkey’s political resurgence. She and Bulgaria, free and completely independent of each other, will have all the conditions to establish and strengthen their friendly relations and indulge in peaceful internal development.
Encouraged by this holy work and in order to satisfy the needs of the state and the desire of the people, with the blessing of the Almighty I proclaim on September 6, 1885 Bulgaria united as an independent Kingdom of Bulgaria and, together with my people, I deeply believe that this act will find the approval of the Great Powers. and the sympathy of the enlightened world.
Long live free and independent Bulgaria!
Long live the Bulgarian people!
Issued in the ancient capital Veliko Tarnovo on September 22, 1908, the twenty-second year of My reign. [Фердинанд] Prime Minister and Minister of Public Buildings, Roads and Communications: [Ал. Малинов] Minister of Foreign Affairs and Denominations: [Ст. Паприков] Minister of the Interior: [М. Такев] Minister of National Education: [Н. Мушанов] Finance Minister: [Ив. Салабашев] Ministry of Justice:[Т. Кръстев] Minister of War: [генерал Д. Николаев] Minister of Commerce and Agriculture: [А. Ляпчев]
Veliko Tarnovo Bulgaria
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