principality · Balkans and Hungary
Principality of Bulgaria
Origins
Russia's victory over the Ottomans led to the Treaty of San Stefano in March 1878, which created a large Bulgaria. The Congress of Berlin reduced it to an autonomous principality between the Danube and the Balkan mountains, under Ottoman suzerainty. In 1879 the Tarnovo Constitution was adopted and Alexander of Battenberg elected prince, with Sofia as capital.
Rule and society
The liberal Tarnovo Constitution created a parliament elected by male suffrage, though princes and strong premiers often ruled forcefully. Unification with Eastern Rumelia in 1885 was defended by victory over Serbia at Slivnitsa. Russian anger forced Alexander's abdication in 1886, and Ferdinand of Saxe-Coburg was chosen in 1887, while premier Stefan Stambolov built a modern state and army.
Decline and legacy
On 5 October 1908, during the crisis over Bosnia, Ferdinand proclaimed full independence at Tarnovo and took the title of tsar, creating the Kingdom of Bulgaria. The Tarnovo Constitution remained in force until 1947.
Lineage
On the connections map
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- Principality of Bulgaria was a vassal of Ottoman Empire1878 CE – 1908 CE
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Cite this page
- APA
- The Epoch Institute. (2026). Principality of Bulgaria. In The Epoch Institute States Register. https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/principality-of-bulgaria
- MLA
- “Principality of Bulgaria.” The Epoch Institute States Register, The Epoch Institute, 2026, https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/principality-of-bulgaria. Accessed .
- Chicago
- The Epoch Institute. “Principality of Bulgaria.” The Epoch Institute States Register. 2026. https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/principality-of-bulgaria.
- Harvard
- The Epoch Institute (2026) ‘Principality of Bulgaria’, The Epoch Institute States Register. Available at: https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/principality-of-bulgaria (Accessed: ).
Last reviewed October 2026Random state ↻