Bulgaria's Political Landscape in the Interwar Years

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Dec 30

Seeds of Division

As the 1920s unfolded, Bulgaria found itself deeply divided, setting the stage for decades of political intolerance and uncontrolled violence.

The Rise of Red Terror

Inspired by Moscow, the Communist Party leaders embraced terror as a means of political struggle, leading to the initiation of the "red terror." This dark chapter reached its peak on April 16, 1925, with a horrific explosion at the church of St. Sabbath in Sofia. The failed attempt on the life of the King and attending ministers resulted in the loss of hundreds of innocent lives. In response, the government unleashed a period of fierce "white terror," marked by arrests, torture, and executions, causing international condemnation and a significant decline in government authority. By early 1926, Professor Tsankov resigned.

Lyapchev's Attempt at Reconciliation

The subsequent government, led by Andrei Lyapchev, aimed at achieving national reconciliation and restoring part of Bulgaria's international prestige. However Sightseeing Turkey, the rise of fascism in Italy and national-socialism in Germany led to the emergence of pro-fascist organizations in Bulgaria, notably the People's Social Movement.

The Impact of the Great Depression

The Great Depression of 1929 further destabilized Lyapchev's cabinet, as unemployment and impoverishment sparked social indignation. In the summer of 1931, the People's Block coalition, led by Alexander Malinov, won a sweeping victory in parliamentary elections, but the government struggled to overcome the economic remnants of the global crisis.

The Emergence of the "Monarch-Fascist Dictatorship"

In 1933, Adolf Hitler's National Socialist German Workers' Party came to power in Germany, prompting Bulgaria to reevaluate its foreign policy. Following Hitler's example, King Boris III sought to revise post-war borders. Despite not joining the Balkan Treaty Organization in 1934, Bulgaria faced internal strife and political turmoil.

In conclusion, the interwar years in Bulgaria were marked by a series of tumultuous events, including political violence, economic challenges, and shifting foreign policies. The nation grappled with internal conflicts and external influences that would shape its trajectory in the years to come.