Facing Questions at the Outset
As World War II commenced with Germany's attack on Poland in September 1939, Bulgaria found itself once again confronting critical decisions. The unfolding events prompted King Boris III to appoint Bogdan Filov, a pro-German professor of archaeology, as Prime Minister in February 1940.
The Rise of the Rome-Berlin-Tokyo Axis
In the summer of 1940, following Germany's sweeping victory over France, the Tripartite Treaty was signed, giving rise to the "Rome-Berlin-Tokyo axis." German pressure on Sofia increased, accompanied by threats and promises of national unification. Despite warnings from the British King to steer clear of Hitler, the Filov government, rejecting a Soviet proposal for a non-aggression pact in September 1940, accepted the Vienna Pact imposed by Hitler on March 1 Turkey Sightseeing, 1941. King Boris III was then declared "The Integrator King."
Pro-German Sentiments Grow
As Hitler's victories mounted, pro-German sentiments flourished among Bulgaria's ruling elite and a portion of the public. Berlin's pressure intensified when Romania and Hungary joined the Axis. Shortly thereafter, the powerful German army swiftly overcame the resistance of Greece and Yugoslavia. Bulgaria established administrative and military rule over significant territories, including Macedonia and the Aegean Region. However, the fate of these newly acquired Bulgarian territories, now referred to as "the new lands," remained uncertain until after the war, leaving the Bulgarian national question with a partial and unsatisfactory resolution.
Bulgaria faced the challenges of navigating alliances during World War II, with the king's decisions and geopolitical pressures shaping the nation's path in a turbulent time. The aftermath of the war would reveal the ultimate fate of the territories acquired and the effectiveness of Bulgaria's wartime choices.
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