In Greece, the triumph of the monarchist faction has brought about a return of the King alongside a military dictatorship. Meanwhile, the old guard faction of the Bulgarian communists is triumphant as well, liquidating the left-sectarian faction and taking full control of the organization. But at home, Tsar Boris outplays the opposition to take further control of the government.

Major Characters in this Episode:

Tsar Boris III

King George II of Greece

General Metaxas

Georgi Dimitrov

Petko Zlatev

Andrey Toshev

Timeline for this episode:

• 1935, Late Jan - Communist meeting in Sofia sees the left-sectarians make some compromises with the old guard.

• 1935, Mar 1st - Failed coup in Greece.

• 1935, Feb 14- Mar 6th - A series of laws are passed organizing industrial groups within Bulgaria along a corporatist fascist model.

• 1936, Feb - Communist meeting in Sofia sees the left-sectarians defeated and the party endorse a popular front approach. This is soon followed by the liquidation of the left-sectarians. Bell 49.

• Mar 15th and Apr 10th - Alexander Malinov and Nikola Mushanov send letters to PM Zlatev asking for the army to return to its barracks so parliamentary government can be restored.

• 1935, Mar - Italy delivers 14 Ansaldo light tanks to Bulgaria.

• 1935, Mar 16th - Germany formally renounces the demilitarization clauses of the Versailles treaty, announcing general military conscription, the formation of an air force, etc.

• 1935, Apr 4-5 - At a meeting of the Supreme Military Council, it’s decided that the army should return to its barracks, and officers should not hold civilian positions. 42 Republican officers are dismissed, cementing control of the army by the monarchists.

• 1935, Apr 11-14th - The Entente meets at the Stresa Conference to discuss Germany’s rearmament. The participants agree to maintain Austrian independence and resist further German attempts to violate the Treaty of Versailles.

• 1935, Apr 21st - The first non-party caretaker government is formed headed by Andrey Toshev. This is in essence a coup by Tsar Boris as he personally becomes the primary political figure in the country.

• 1935, May 14-15 - 15,000 reserve officers hold a rally in Sofia calling for unity between the people, the Tsar, and the army.

• 1935, May 25th - After Bulgarian students at high schools in Romanian-occupied Dobrich strike under the guidance of the IDRO, the Romanian government closes all Bulgarian schools and cultural societies in Dobrich, Balchik, and Kavarna.

• 1935, May 26-28th - Hermann Goring visits Sofia as a part of a wider visit to strengthen ties to the Balkan countries.

• 1935, May-Jun - Public debate on a new constitution, the government prepares two drafts while the banned parties declare themselves in favor of restoring the Tarnovo constitution with changes.

• 1935, Jun 26th - Tsar Boris sends Colonel Damyan Velchev into exile in Yugoslavia.

• 1935, Jul 25th - Aug 25th - 7th and final Congress of the Comintern is held in Moscow. The organization elects Georgi Dimitrov as General Secretary and agrees to fight against fascism.

• 1935, Aug - The Directorate for Social Renewal is closed.

• 1935, Sep 15th - The Nuremberg Laws are passed in Germany, removing citizenship from Jews.

• 1935, Oct 3rd - A military conspiracy centered around Damyan Velchev, Kiril Stanchev, Zveno, the Pladne Agrarians, and Protogerovists is exposed with around 300 conspirators arrested. Martial law is declared until October 25th.

• 1935, Oct 3rd - Italy invaded Ethiopia, triggering sanctions from the League of Nations.

Sources:

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

• The Rose of the Balkans by Ivan Ilchev

• History of the Balkans: Twentieth Century by Barbara Jelavich

• Crown of Thorns by Stephane Groueff

• The Balkans by Misha Glenny

• Bulgaria 1879-1946: The Challenge of Choice by Tatiana Kostadinova

• The Bulgarian Communist Party from Blagoev to Zhivkov by John D. Bell

• Yugoslav Communism and the Macedonian Question by Stephen E. Palmer Jr. and Robert R. King

• Tanks-encylopedia.com