In power since the coup of 1923, Tsankov is finally brought down. But as a moderate government takes power in Bulgaria for the first time in many years, can it triumph over the forces that have brought so much violence and extremism to the country?

Major Characters in this Episode:

Prime Minister Alexander Tsankov

Andrey Lyapchev

Tsar Boris III

Timeline for this episode:

• 1925, Mid Nov - A group forms within the ruling Democratic Conspiracy party called the 70s Group under Andrey Lyapchev which advocates for replacing Tsankov.

• 1925, estimate that from 1923-1925 around 16,000 Agrarians and Communists were murdered.

• 1926, Jan 3rd - Theodoros Pangalos declares himself dictator in Greece.

• 1926, Jan 4th - A new Democratic Conspiracy government is formed with Andrey Lyapchev as Prime Minister. This represents a victory for political figures within the group over the military and coup plotters.

• 1926, Jan - The paramilitary terrorist organization “Greco-Macedonian Fist” is founded with the aim of suppressing manifestations of Bulgarian identity in Aegean Macedonia.

• 1926, Feb 13th - Some 7,000 people imprisoned under the State Protection Act are given amnesty and released.

• 1926, Apr 1st - A Supreme Cooperative Council is established with Kiril Popov as chairman. He will die and be replaced by Andrey Lyapchev next year.

• 1926, End of Apr - A VMRO detachment attacks Serbian officials in Strumica.

• 1926, Early May - A detachment from the IDRO attacks Romanian gendarmes near Silistra. 6 Bulgarians who are believed to have participated are shot without trial.

• 1926, May - Envoys from the League of Nations arrive in Sofia to assess the refugee situation and give a positive assessment vis a vis Bulgaria’s loan request. The loan is ultimately approved in June.

• 1926, Jul 3-4 - An IDRO detachment attacks Romanian officials in the Silistra region. The subsequent crackdown kills around 40 Bulgarians.

• 1926, Jul 7th - Romania declares a state of emergency Southern Dobrudja and brings in three army divisions to restore order.

• 1926, Jul 18th - The Broad Socialists hold a conference and expel party members who supported the government of Tsankov.

• 1926, Aug 11th - Yugoslavia, Romania, and Greece issue a joint statement to Bulgaria complaining about the entry of armed groups into their territory from Bulgaria.

• 1926, Aug 15th - The IDRO central committee orders a stop to chetnik activity in Dobrudja.

• 1926, Aug 17th - Greek troops destroy a monument to fallen Bulgarian soldiers from a Macedonian Division during WWI.

• 1926, Aug 22nd - Greek dictator Theodoros Pangalos is ousted by Georgios Kondylis. Three days later he announces the end of the dictatorship.

• 1926, Aug 26th - An IDRO detachment in Bulgaria is attacked by police resulting in the death of Nikola Kozlevo.

• 1926, Sep 8th - Bulgaria receives the 3.326 million pound loan from the League of Nations provided by British and American banks to help accommodate refugees.

• 1926, Nov - Andrey Lyapchev assists in the creation of legal workers committees consisting of “non-party” supporters of the BCP.

• 1926, Dec 31st - A census is held.

• 1927, Feb - A group of former socialists headed by Nikola Sakarov create a new Independent Workers Party.

• 1927, Feb 20th - The new legal Worker’s Party holds its founding congress. It elects Nikola Milev, an undercover police officer, as its head.

• 1927, Mar 3rd - The founding conference of the pro-communist Dobrudzhan Youth Union is held.

• 1927, Mar 14-15 - A council of prominent Bulgarians and diplomats is established in Bucharest to advocate for Bulgarians living in Dobrudja.

• 1927, Mar 15th - Bulgaria gets its first air route as what would become Air France opened the Paris-Belgrade-Sofia-Istanbul line

• 1927, May 29th - Elections for the 22nd National Assembly see the ruling Democratic Conspiracy party win with 44%.

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

• Peasants in Power by John D. Bell

• The Rose of the Balkans by Ivan Ilchev

• A Concise History of Bulgaria by R.J. Crampton

• Alexander Stamboliiski by R.J. Crampton