Bulgaria During World War I

1914, in the history of Europe, was a year of devastating change. This year would make changes that would alter culture, physica land, technology and every other aspect of daily human life, ecological, economical and political life in the world permanently. Smaller countries, like the Balkans, would receive significant damage as outside countries saw opportunities to make advancements, and would also find themselves to be one of the main catalysts for the beginning of a world war. The start of the First World War, in large part was the result of previous battles in the area, especially involving Bulgaria. At the beginning of 1914, Bulgaria was in a state of humiliation and defeat. the previous two years of the country’s history was wrought

After acquiring its independence from the Ottoman empire several years previously, the Bulgarians, and other Balkan allies, created the Balkan League in order to combat its old oppressive, Imperial parent. Bulgaria, along with other neighboring countries like Greece, and Serbia, pushed the Ottomans farther into Asia Minor, freeing lands and peoples who previously did not have a native homeland, such as Macedonia and Albania, due to extensive occupation by outside militants. At the end of the First War, Bulgaria found itself extremely dissatisfied with which how the lands and other forms of wartime trophies were distributed among the Balkan countries. There had been many pre-war treaties and agreements, setting up future boundaries and agreements based upon what they would capture. However, considering how fickle the nature of war is, these agreements were not met, and in some cases like with Greece and Serbia, new agreements were made based upon what lands were captured

These decisions would later influence the Bulgarian entrance into the First World War later on. Bulgaria in early 1914, was focused on the reconstruction of its country and protection of its people, rather than foreign affairs. Especially after the humiliation it received from several treaties that counteracted what Bulgaria, Serbia and Greece had agreed upon, land wise, before the allied war against the Ottoman Empire. After losing thousands forces, hundreds of acres of precious farmland destroyed, losing lands that were once solely unified and losing several allies of which could have helped support the country; Bulgaria now found itself in a state of isolation with nary a friend in sight. Bulgaria, therein, spent its time attempting to reform politically and save its economy after straining its limited