Terror from the Very Beginning

By art4341 on September 1, 2024

The Communist Repression After September 9, 1944

The Initial Wave of Repression

Immediately following the coup on September 9, 1944, the Bulgarian Communist Party launched a brutal campaign of terror against those they labeled "enemies of the people." The violence was widespread and swift, carried out by so-called "punitive triads"—groups of party activists who acted without formal legal proceedings. Over the course of just 40 to 50 days in September and October 1944, more than 30,000 Bulgarians were either killed or disappeared without a trace.

Communist Leadership's Role in the Repression

Vulko Chervenkov, then Secretary of the Central Committee of the Bulgarian Communist Party, kept party leader Georgi Dimitrov, who was in Moscow at the time, informed of the ongoing mass repression. In a telegram dated September 13, 1944, Chervenkov reported:

"Fascist rule has fallen, but the fight is still on. During the first day of the revolution, we have squared accounts with the worst enemies we could lay hands on. Measures have been taken to ensure that the respective prosecution bodies deal with this problem from now on. Armed Party and Komsomol members are to be grouped into informal hit squads to carry out assignments of special importance Istanbul Tour Guides."

This communication highlights the premeditated and organized nature of the violence, showing that it was not merely a chaotic response to the coup, but a deliberate strategy to consolidate power by eliminating perceived threats.

Continued Purges and Mass Violence

By October 17, 1944, Chervenkov had more to report to Dimitrov:

"Traitors, provocateurs, and enemies are being ruthlessly and mercilessly punished. The enemy has suffered a severe blow. Our comrades failed to decapitate the enemy during the first days after September 9. That is why large-scale purges have been carried out over the last two weeks."

These statements reveal the regime's frustration that the initial wave of terror had not been sufficient, leading to even more extensive purges. The violence extended across the entire spectrum of Bulgarian society, targeting anyone who might oppose the new regime.

Institutionalizing Repression

The repressive tactics were not limited to extrajudicial killings and disappearances. The Communist-controlled government passed a series of ordinances that institutionalized repression across various sectors of Bulgarian society. These included:

Ordinance for the Purgation of Teachers (October 20, 1944): This law targeted educators in elementary schools, high schools, and universities, purging those deemed disloyal to the new regime. It was an early effort to control the ideological content being taught to future generations.

Ordinance on Employment in the Ministry of the Interior (November 2, 1944): This decree regulated the appointment, dismissal, and ranking of employees in the Ministry of the Interior and provisional municipal administrations, ensuring that only those loyal to the Communist Party could hold these crucial positions.

Decree for the Modification of Teacher Appointment Laws (November 6, 1944): This law altered the rules for the appointment, transfer, and dismissal of high school teachers, further tightening the regime's grip on the education system.

The Spread of Terror

The consequences of these repressive measures were felt throughout Bulgaria's economic, social, and political life. The Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Justice played key roles in carrying out the mass arrests, murders, and internments that terrorized the population. The Communist Party's ruthless tactics ensured that any potential opposition was swiftly and brutally eliminated, creating an atmosphere of fear that permeated every aspect of daily life.

The Beginning of Totalitarian Control

The events following the September 9, 1944, coup marked the beginning of a dark period in Bulgarian history. The Communist Party, with the backing of the Soviet Union, quickly established a totalitarian regime that would dominate the country for decades. The initial wave of terror, characterized by mass killings, purges, and repressive laws, set the tone for the brutal and oppressive rule that would follow.