Violence escalates as opposition to Stamboliiski's agrarian regime coalesces, leading to a showdown in Bulgaria's medieval capital.

Major Characters in this Episode:

Prime Minister Alexander Stamboliiski

Vasil Ikonomov

Raiko Daskalov

Alexander Grekov

Alexander Tsankov

Todor Alexandrov

Ivan Vazov

King Constantine of Greece

King George II of Greece

Benito Mussolini

Timeline for this episode:

• 1922, May 21st - Alexander Grekov, chairman of the People’s Consensus, is assassinated.

• 1922, Jun - Relations between Bulgaria and Yugoslavia worsen over border violence.

• 1922, Jun 1st - The first conference of the National Consensus Committee in Sofia occurs with Alexander Tsankov taking leadership.

• 1922, Jul 6th - The Democratic Party, the People’s Progressive Party, and the Radical Democratic Party unite to create the Constitutional Block to combat the Agrarian government.

• 1922, Jul 8th - Pano Chuklev, the former Mayor of Sofia, is shot. Shortly afterwards the chief warden of the Sofia Central Prison is also shot.

• 1922, Aug 17th - The deputy Minister of Education finally yields to Sofia University while the Minister is on a mission to Brazil, ending the crisis.

• 1922, Aug 22nd - Todor Alexandrov orders the creation of an auxiliary wing of the VMRO in the Pirin region. By the end of the year two district governors, one district chief, two mayors, as well as many policemen and soldiers are assassinated there.

• 1922, Sep 9th - The Greco-Turkish War ends in a Turkish victory after the withdrawal of Greek troops from Izmir. Four days later, much of the city is destroyed by fire.

• 1922, Sep 17th - A meeting of the Constitutional Bloc in Tarnovo is disrupted by Agrarian supporters gathered for a congress of beet growers. The leaders of the bloc are arrested. Tsar Boris condemns the violence.

• 1922, Sep 24th - Loss in the recent war triggers a revolution in Greece.

• 1922, Oct 1-4th - The grounding congress of the Macedonian Patriotic Organizations in the USA and Canada (9 different societies) is held in Fort Wayne Indiana. Todor Alexandrov is a backer of the project.

• 1922, Oct 2nd - One of the leaders of the anti-Todor Alexandrov faction of the Macedonian movement is assassinated. As a result, that organization dissolves in December.

• 1922, Oct 12th - A commission is formed to investigate the Malilov-Kosturov government.

• 1922, Oct 14th - A law is adopted allowing for plebiscites to determine the guilt of the Geshov-Danev and Malilov-Kosturov governments over the Balkan and First World Wars. The law is eventually cancelled in 1924.

• 1922, Oct 14-17th - A detachment of VMRO fighters occupies Nevrokop (modern Gotse Delchev), driving out government troops.

• 1922, Oct 22nd - Ivan Vazov dies of a heart attack at 71. His funeral turns into a mass protest against the Treaty of Neuilly.

• 1922, Oct 28th - Mussolini rises to power after his march on Rome.

• 1922, Oct 31st - The Agrarian party orders the creation of the “Agricultural People’s Guard” with Raiko Daskalov as its commander.

• 1922, Nov 1st - The Ottoman Sultanate is officially abolished. The last Sultan will depart Constantinople 17 days later.

• 1922, early Nov - The Bulgarian-Turkish Internal Thracian Revolutionary Organization is established.

• 1922, Nov 8-9 - Stamboliiski meets with Yugoslav Prime Minister Nikola Pašić in Belgrade.

• 1922 Nov 19th - The vote over the guilt of the Geshov-Danev and Malilov-Kosturov governments is held. Around 70% vote to convict and the relevant ministers and officials are transferred to prison.

• 1922, Nov 20th - Lausanne Conference begins.

• 1922, Dec 4-5th - VMRO cheti take control of Kyustendil without opposition from the army. The Defense Minister then arrives with soldiers and negotiates with the governors and restores control of the city.

• 1922, Dec 6th - Martial law is introduced in the Kyustendil district.

• 1922, Dec 15h - An attempted assassination of Raiko Daskalov by the VMRO in front of the national assembly fails.

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Sources used in this episode:

• История на България в Дати by Vasil Katsunov, Plamen Mitev, Valeri Kolev, Evgenia Kalinova, and Iskra Baeva

• Crown of Thorns: The Reign of King Boris III of Bulgaria 1918-1943 by Stephane Groueff

• Aleksandur Stamboliiski by R.J. Crampton

• Peasants in Power by John D. Bell