As Bulgarian unification with Eastern Rumelia rushes ahead, forcing politicians and royals alike to quickly adapt, Bulgaria waits to see what the foreign response will be. Soldiers are being mobilized, diplomats are gathering, and war clouds are rumbling in the distance.

Major Characters in this Episode

Tsar Alexander III

Prince Alexander

Dragan Tsankov

Petko Karavelov

Stefan Stambolov

King Milan of Serbia

Ivan Gueshoff

Timeline for this Episode

• 1885, Sept 6th – Unification of the kingdom of Bulgaria with Eastern Rumelia. Interim government in Plovdiv headed by dr. Georgi Stranski, the leader of the southern Bulgarian liberals. БТЦРК dissolves by itself.

• 1885, Sept 8th – Princely manifesto in Tarnovo for the recognition of the Unification.

• 1885, Sept 9th – Appointing of a princely commissary for Eastern Rumelia: Georgi Stranski, Petko R. Slaveikov and Joaquin Gruev. Russia pulls its officers out of Bulgaria. The first Bulgarian-born minister of militia: captain Konstantin Nikiforov.

• 1885, Sept 10th – Martial Law is enforced and lasts until March 29th 1886.

• 1885, Sept 20-21st – The delegation of the 4th National Assembly, headed by metropolitan Kliment negotiates with the Russian councilor and emperor Aleksander III in Copenhagen for the recognition of the Unification.

• 1885, Sept 26th – Ivan Geshov negotiates in London for the recognition of the Unification and Grigor Nachovich does the same in Vienna.

• 1885 Sept 27th – First Serbian attacks of the border posts in the region of Трън.

• 1885 Oct 7th – Decree for the calling of the People’s militia to protect the Unification.

• 1885 Oct 17/29th – Bulgarian delegation from Eastern Rumelia hands in a memoir to the European commission of the Great Powers in Plovdiv against the tearing up of the Bulgarian people.

• 1885, Oct 24th – Start of the Istanbul ambassador conference of the Great powers concerning the Unification.

• 1885, Oct – By suggestion of prof. Marin Drinov the seat of the Russian imperial commissary is moved from Plovdiv to Sofia.

The first phonograph demonstration is given in Plovdiv.

• 1885, Nov 2-16th – Serbia declares war on Bulgaria.