Major Characters in this Episode:

Tsar Boris III

Andrey Toshev

Damyan Velchev

Hermann Gorring

Georgi Kiosseivanov

Timeline for this episode:

• 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 Goering 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.

• 1935, Oct 12th - The Supreme Military Council dismissed 79 officers sympathetic to Damyan Velchev.

• 1935, Oct 27th - Founding congress of the Bulgarian Workers’ Union, the main trade union in Sofia.

• 1935, Nov 3rd - Greece holds a referendum on the restoration of the monarchy. 98% vote in favor, though the validity of the referendum is questionable.

• 1935, Nov 6-18th - Alexander Malinov hosts meetings of the leaders of banned political parties at his home to help coordinate their activities and restore the Tarnovo Constitution.

• 1935, Nov 16th - Bulgaria begins implementing economic sanctions of Italy agreed by the League of Nations.

• 1935, Nov 23rd - A new non-partisan cabinet is appointed under Georgi Kyuseivanov.

• 1935, Nov 25th - King George II of Greece returns to the country after 11 years in exile.

• 1935, Nov 28th - The Union of Reserve Officers, Union of Reserve NCOs, and Union of War Victims unite to form the Union of National Forces, declaring their support for the government.

• 1935, Dec 8th - The Democratic Party holds illegal council and formally requests to resume its activities. Alexander Malinov and Nikola Mushanov are questioned by police.

• 1935, Dec 15th - An illegal meeting of the Democratic Conspiracy party is broken up by police.

• 1935, Dec 18th - Feb 22nd - Damyan Velchev and Kiril Stanchev are put on trial for the Oct 3rd attempted coup. Both are sentenced to death but pardoned by Tsar Boris.

• 1936, Jan 26th - Greek parliamentary elections see the Communists become kingmakers.

• 1936, Mar 3rd - Minister of War Hristo Lukov dissolves the Military Union and prohibits officers from engaging in political activity.

• 1936, Mar - The moderate wing of the Military Union is put on trial. Two colonels are sentenced to death but pardoned by Tsar Boris.

• 1936, Mar 7th - The Rhineland is remilitarized, marking a direct challenge to the Versailles treaty.

• 1936, Mar 23-24th - The Macedonian Students’ Union is founded in the Borisova Garden in Sofia.

• 1936, May 7-9th - Italy annexes Ethiopia before Mussolini announces the foundation of the Italian Empire.

• 1936, May 24th- The Committee of Five is formed (AKA the Petorka) as a secret and informal grouping of banned political parties. On May 29th they deliver their memorandum to the Tsar.

• 1936, May 30th - The Democratic Party sends a letter to Tsar Boris requesting the restoration of parliamentary government. They form a new group consisting of them, the People’s Party, the Radical Party, and the National Liberals.

• 1936, Jun 6th - An ordinance-law is passed prohibiting the creation of political organizations in the army and of political activities for officers.

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

• Crown of Thorns by Stephane Groueff

• Aleksandur Stamboliiski by R.J. Crampton

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