Stefan Stambolov

Infobox Person
name = Stefan Stambolov


image_size = 150px
caption =
birth_date = January 31, 1854
birth_place = Veliko Tarnovo, present-day Bulgaria
death_date=death date and age |1895|7|6|1854|1|31
death_place = Sofia, Bulgaria
occupation =revolutionary, statesman, poet
spouse =

Stefan Nikolov Stambolov ( _bg. Стефан Николов Стамболов) (January 31, 1854 – July 6, 1895) was a Bulgarian revolutionary and statesman, in his capacity as Prime Minister and Prince Regent of Bulgaria. He is considered one of the most important and popular "Founders of Modern Bulgaria" and is sometimes referred to as "the Bulgarian Bismarck".

Early years

Stambolov was born in Veliko Turnovo. His education started in his home town, but he later studied in the Odessa Seminary between 1870 and 1872. Stambolov's father took part in the "Velchova Zavera" (1835) works with Captain Nikola Filipovski (1853). Stambolov grew up among revolutionists like Hristo Ivanov "Knigovezetza", father Mathei Preobrazhenski - Mitkaloto, Hristo Karaminkov "Buneto". He took part in all actions for political independence in the 1870s - he joined the Bulgarian Revolutionary Central Committee (BRCC). After the death of the founder of the BRCC Vassil Levski, Stambolov was chosen as his successor. He was the leader of the unsuccessful uprising in Stara Zagora (1875) and the Turnovo revolutionary committee in the great uprising of April (1876).

Political career

Stambolov was involved in the political discussions as early as the time of the first Bulgarian parliament - "The Founding Assembly" of 1879. After 1880 he became the vice-chairman and later the chairman of the Narodno Subranie (the Bulgarian parliament). For a relatively long period he was the Prime Minister of the country (1887 - 1894). He helped the Union of Bulgaria and Eastern Rumelia (1885). In 1886, when pro-Russian officers staged a coup d'état against the Bulgarian prince Alexander von Battenberg, Stambolov directed the successful counter coup d'état. The prince, however, could not remain on the throne without the approval of the Russian emperor Alexander III and had to leave the country. Stambolov was a nationalist; as a politician, he strengthened the diplomacy of the country, its economy, and the general political power of the state. He crushed Russia's numerous attempts to overthrow the Bulgarian government and install a puppet regime. He confronted Ferdinand's intrigues (after Ferdinand succeeded Alexander Batenberg) and, as a result, he was attacked and mortally wounded by his political enemies in Sofia on July 3, 1895. He died three days later.

Regency

Stefan Stambolov was chief regent for the Bulgarian throne twice. The first time was during the self-imposed exile of Prince Alexander Battenberg between 28 August 1886 and 3 September 1886 and, subsequently, during the vacancy of the throne between 7 September 1886 and 14 August 1887 following Alexander's eventual abdication.

At the age of 32, Stambolov found himself in the highly-unusual position of being a minister of government, president and prince regent (a situation matched in its unusualness only, perhaps, by the election of former King Simeon II Saxe-Coburg-Gotha to the office of prime minister of Bulgaria in 2001, making him one of the few monarchs in history who regained political power through democratic election to a different office). Stambolov's style of governing during the period of his regency was observed as being increasingly authoritative but, this was, to some extent, a reaction to the various threats and dangers which attached to the reality of occupying each of these positions concurrently. Indeed, the regency has been described as marking the beginning of the tragic years of Stambolov's life.

According to a close friend, Stambolov was "almost inclined to resign the honours [of serving as regent] , together with the dangers of his position, and retire to his beloved Turnovo" but stayed on recognizing that if he did not lead, then, in the absence of any other willing or able candidates, Bulgaria's sovereignty would likely be lost.

Through Stambolov's efforts, a successor to the troubled reign of Alexander was found in Ferdinand, Prince of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, who was proclaimed Prince Regent of autonomous Bulgaria on 7 July 1887 and crowned on 14 August 1887.

Assessment

Stambolov was one of the few Bulgarian politicians to realize that the liberation of Bulgaria was an attempt by Czarist Russia to turn Bulgaria into its protectorate. His policy was characterized by the goal to preserve Bulgarian independence at all costs. During his leadership Bulgaria was transformed from an Ottoman province into a modern European state.

Stambolov launched a new course in Bulgarian foreign policy, independent of the interests of any Great Power. His main foreign policy objective was the unification of the Bulgarian nation into a nation-state consisting of all the territories of the Bulgarian Exarchate granted by the Sultan in 1870.Stambolov established close connections with the Sultan in order to enliven Bulgarian national spirit in Macedonia and to oppose Russian-backed Greek and Serbian propaganda.Due to Stambolov’s tactics, the Sultan recognized Bulgarians as the predominant peoples in Macedonia and gave a green light to the creation of strong church and cultural institutions.

Stambolov negotiated loans with Western European countries in order to develop the economic and military strength of Bulgaria. In part, this was motivated by his desire to create a modern army which could successfully unify the nation with the support of Bulgarian national uprising in Macedonia.

His approach toward Western Europe was one of diplomatic maneuvering. He understood the interests of the Austrian empire in Macedonia and warned his diplomats accordingly. His domestic policy was distinguished by the defeat of terrorist groups sponsored by Russia, the strengthening of the rule of law, as well as by measures taken to promote rapid economic and educational growth, that led to progressive social and cultural change, and to develop a modern army capable of protecting Bulgaria's independence.

Stambolov was aware that only a Bulgaria that is politically, militarily and economically strong could ensure national unification. Stambolov mapped out the political course which turned Bulgaria into a strong regional power, respected by the Great Powers. However, Bulgaria’s regional leadership was short-lived, after Stambolov's death the independent course of his policy was abandoned.Stambolov’s successors based their foreign policy objectives more on the blind believe in the good will of the Russian Emperor, than the Bulgarian national interest.The tumultuous beginning of the 20th century brought Bulgaria into two regional wars (the First and Second Balkan wars), in which Russia played a decisive role in their catastrophic for Bulgaria outcome, and the First World War. The consequences were disastrous- leaving the country devastated, deprived of substantial territory and largely divorced from its aspirations to unify all Bulgarians.

Honour

Stambolov Crag on Livingston Island in the South Shetland Islands, Antarctica is named after Stefan Stambolov.

Bibliography

* Duncan M. Perry, "Stefan Stambolov and the Emergence of Modern Bulgaria, 1870-1895", Duke University Press (1 Jun 1993).

External links

* [http://www.bulgaria.com/history/rulers/stambolov.html An article about Stefan Stambolov]