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Birth of Kimon Georgiev
Kimon Georgiev was born, a man who would eventually play a large role in the progression of government in Bulgaria, ruling for a time as Prime Minister during the late stages of the war as well as organizing several coups that would eventually lead to the rise of Communism in Bulgaria. -
Bulgaria Declares Independance
Bulgaria declares its independence from the Ottomans and becomes “The Third Bulgarian State” Their government following independence, instead of Democracy like the United States, was effectively Militarism. This was the government they would be under the control of during both World Wars. -
Bulgaria joins WW1
Bulgaria enters WW1 on the side of the Central Powers after announcing their declaration of war against Serbia. As a member of the Axis Powers, the fought alongside several countries they would fight with during the later World War 2. -
Tsar Boris III comes to power
Tsar Boris III comes to power, succeeding his father, Tsar Ferdinand I. Tsar Boris would be the one to ally Bulgaria with the Axis Powers and lead Bulgaria through the Second World War. Picture: Tsar Boris III -
Coup d'état Number 1
A coup d'état occurs, targeting the Bulgarian Agrarian National Union, a political party run by and for the interests of the peasant population. Kimon Georgiev took part in the planning and execution of the coup. This would be the first of 3 coups he would help plan. After the coup was carried out, he became a member of the Democratic Alliance, a party borrowing ideas from the United States government and other democracies. Picture: Leaders of the coup meeting. -
Coup d'état Number 2
Another coup d’état occurred, also organized in part by Kimon Georgiev. As with other past and future revolutions that would occur, the newly set up government would emulate democratic governments such as the United States or Britain. Kimon Georgiev would be appointed as Prime minister for as long as this government system lasted. -
Bulgaria enters WW2
Bulgaria enters WW2 on the side of the Axis Powers. Their leader, Tsar Boris III, signed the Tripartite Pact, which the leaders of all countries under Axis Powers signed. In doing this, they allied with many countries that they had fought alongside in World War I. -
Red Army Enters Capital
On this day, the Red Army stormed Bulgaria’s capital city, called Sofia, with the intent of disabling their government and ending Bulgaria’s help on the side of the Axis Powers. This goal would eventually succeed. -
Bulgaria Defects to Allies
One day after the Red Army entered Bulgaria’s capital city of Sofia, the government was forcibly taken down and Bulgaria officially left the Axis Powers. A short-term government would be formed by the Allies, patterned after government styles similar to America and Britain, with Kimon Georgiev (Pictured), now referred to as “The old coup-maker,” as Prime Minister. Immediately after leaving the Axis Powers, war was declared on Germany and Bulgarian troops fought alongside other Allied soldiers. -
Coup d'état number 3, rise of Communism
As a result of the failure during WWII, yet another coup d'état occurred. This led to the monarchy being overthrown and the Tsar being exiled. A communist regime would later come to power, led by Georgi Dimitrov with ex-Prime Minister Kimon Georgiev as his Vice Premier. This occurred exactly 10 days after the previous government had been established. Picture: Georgi Dimitrov -
Fall of communism, rise of Democracy
The Communist party gives up their political monopoly, and the leader resigns. Bulgaria began the transition to a parliamentary democracy. Communism would keep influence over the government for years to follow, but eventually relinquish their hold. This would lead to Bulgaria’s current democratic government (Currently led by President Rosen Plevneliev, elected January 22, 2012,) marking the end of the government that World War 2 caused to come to power. Picture: Rosen Plevneliev
