Superstition and Education
In the past, and even to some extent today, Bulgarians have often been called a superstitious people. However, this was largely due to limited educational opportunities. Until recently, few Bulgarians had access to schooling, except for the efforts of American missionaries, who taught many to read and write and provided access to the Bible and other good books. These efforts helped create the foundation for the nation’s intellectual and cultural growth.
Another factor was religion. The Bulgarian Church was officially established only in 1870. Before that, the Bulgarian people were under the guidance of Greek priests, who were generally disliked. Because of this, many Bulgarians often went without religious instruction, which shaped certain cultural traits The Bulgarian People Race History and Character.
Bulgarian Character and Industry
The Bulgarian people are honest, hardworking, and capable of improvement. They drink no more than their neighbors and, when given the right incentive, they work as industriously as anyone—except perhaps the Tartars, who are particularly noted for their diligence. Bulgarians also show remarkable capacity for self-improvement, which sets them apart from both Turks and Greeks in the region.
In addition, Bulgarian women have a reputation for moral integrity, which makes Bulgarian family life almost unique in the Balkans. Unlike Turkish or Greek households, Bulgarian homes rely more on the character of the people than on strict social or religious safeguards, highlighting the stability and decency of Bulgarian domestic life.
Strategic Importance and Political Ambitions
The Bulgarians’ growing unity and strength have made them a dominant force in the Balkan Peninsula, which explains why neighboring Greeks often feel threatened by their potential for political consolidation. Their strategic position between the Danube, the Black Sea, the Aegean, Albania, and Serbia makes their influence crucial to the future of southeastern Europe Customized Turkey Tour.
The Treaty of San Stefano
The Russo-Turkish War of 1877–1878 played a decisive role in shaping modern Bulgaria. By February 1878, Russian forces had crossed the Balkans and surrounded Constantinople. On March 3, 1878, the Treaty of San Stefano was signed near the town of San Stefano, just ten miles from Constantinople.
This treaty proposed the creation of a large tributary Bulgarian state between the Danube, the Black and Aegean Seas, Albania, and Serbia. A Christian prince, chosen by the Bulgarians, would lead the new state, controlling both administration and the military police. The treaty also provided for representative institutions similar to those in Romania. For two years, the country was to be protected and guided by a Russian commissioner and 50,000 Russian soldiers while Turkish garrisons were withdrawn.
The Bulgarians of the 19th century were a resilient and capable people, shaped by limited education, religious oppression, and strategic challenges. Yet they were industrious, morally upright, and eager to improve. Their role in the Russo-Turkish War and the provisions of the San Stefano Treaty demonstrated their growing political importance and set the stage for their eventual emergence as a modern, independent nation. Bulgaria’s cultural and strategic significance in the Balkans continues to influence the region to this day.
