As the young Abdulmejid I takes the throne, he has to immediately contend with the "Eastern Crisis" of 1840. Meanwhile, he launches the Tanzimat reforms, kicking off a continuation of his fathers reforms which trigger yet more revolts in Bulgaria and beyond. Now, more than ever, these revolts are being spearheaded by a growing young class of professional revolutionaries. Meanwhile, elsewhere in Bulgaria, yet more books are published, schools are opened, and anger with the Greek-dominated Orthodox Church deepens.
Major Characters in this Episode
Sultan Abdulmejid I
Mohammad Ali
Georgi Rakovski
Vasil Aprilov
Neofit Rilski
Neofit Bozveli
Timeline for this Episode
1839, beginning of the Tanzimat reforms
1839-1841, Second Egyptian-Ottoman War
1840, Neofit Rilski’s translation of the New Testament is published, the Patriarchate later bans it and attempts to find and destroy all copies
1840, Bulgarian representatives arrive in Constantinople to petition to have a man named Neofit Bozveli appointed Metropolitan of Tarnovo, however the Patriarchate bribes Ottoman officials to have a Greek appointed to the position. As a result, Neofit Bozveli is eventually exiled.
1840, the first all girl school in Bulgaria was founded in Pleven with help from the Bishop of Vratsa and local Bulgarian notables.
1840, the Russian government begins giving out stipends for Bulgarian youth to study in Russia
1840, the first BG printing press was established in Smyrna (Izmir) with slavic type ironically imported from the US. Later in the year, another was established in Thessalonika
1841, Niš rebellion, begins with an appeal to Serbia. It’s sparked when a Muslim mob attacks a church at Easter. Serbia ultimately distances itself from the rebellion.
1841, First Brailla Rebellion
1841, Vasil Aprilov publishes several pamphlets in Odessa regarding Bulgarians
1842, Second Brailla rebellion
1843, Third Brailla rebellion
