On October 5, the governments of Britain, France, and Russia were shocked by secret messages from Bulgaria. At 11:00 AM, Prince Ferdinand announced that Bulgaria was now fully independent, breaking away from the rules set by European powers thirty years earlier at the Congress of Berlin.
Why Was This Controversial?
Many leaders were worried about this decision, as it went against what powerful politicians had planned. Two major figures, Lord Beaconsfield (British) and Prince Bismarck (German), had worked hard to limit Bulgaria’s power and prevent Russia from expanding into the Balkans Ephesus Daily Tour.
The Treaty of Berlin’s Original Plan
In 1878, the Congress of Berlin decided that Bulgaria would be divided into three parts:
Bulgaria – A state controlled by Turkey.
Eastern Rumelia – Ruled by its own people but under a Turkish-appointed Governor-General.
Macedonia – Controlled directly by Turkey, but given limited autonomy.
How the Treaty Was Enforced
All European powers signed the treaty—some were forced to agree, while others were bribed with rewards The Deesis in the Apse.
