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228 The Long-Awaited Blow

Writer: Eric D. HalseyEric D. Halsey
15 hours ago2 min read

After years of waiting for the right moment to strike, the enemies of Stamboliiski's agrarian regime finally make their move.



Major Characters in this Episode:

Prime Minister Alexander Stamboliiski

Nikola Yurukov

Tsanko Bakalov

Asen Daskalov


Timeline for this episode:

  • 1923, Early May - A Soviet ship transporting guns from Odessa to Varna is found by the Bulgarian government. In response, Stamboliiski ordered the arrest of the Bulgarian Communist Party’s leadership, who go into hiding.

  • 1923, May 3rd - A secret memo is circulated by the minister of the interior calling for the creation of more paramilitary units to help protect the government.

  • 1923, May 7th - The government issues decree no 17, banning the Ilinden organization, triggering the arrest of VMRO operatives, and triggering mass protests.

  • 1923, May 21st - The 20th National Assembly opens.

  • 1923, June 9th - A coup against the Stamboliiski regime sees it taken down.

  • 1923, Jun 9-14th - Agrarian loyalists mount resistance against the coup, primarily in Pazardzhik, Radomir, Asenovgrad, and Pleven. The Communists' response varies. In some places they work with the Agrarians, in others they help the military, and in others they attempt to seize power for themselves.

  • 1923, Jun 13-23rd - The Executive Committee of the Comintern in Moscow decides that the BCP should begin an uprising.

  • 1923, Jun 14th - Stamboliiski is arrested and brutally murdered by the Military and VMRO.

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

  • History of the Balkans; Twentieth Century by Barbara Jelavich

  • Bulgaria 1878-1946: the Challenge of Choice by Tatiana Kostadinova



The coup leaders later gathered at the same house where they had awaited its results to recreate this photograph.
The coup leaders later gathered at the same house where they had awaited its results to recreate this photograph.

Stamboliiski's initials and the year of his death, written on the walls of his villa in his own blood while he awaited his death.
Stamboliiski's initials and the year of his death, written on the walls of his villa in his own blood while he awaited his death.

The coup leader and new prime minister, Alexander Tsankov.
The coup leader and new prime minister, Alexander Tsankov.

 
 
 
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