Bulgaria in the Balkans after the First World War (1919–1923)

Abstract

The article addresses the problem of Bulgaria’s international position after the end of the First World War and its attempts to pursue foreign policy objectives between 1919 and 1923. The aim of the study is to analyse the consequences of the Treaty of Neuilly and the efforts of the government of Aleksandar Stamboliyski to overcome the country’s international isolation. The author employed the historical method, making use of diplomatic documents and archival materials. The research demonstrated that the Treaty of Neuilly resulted in Bulgaria losing approximately 19,000 square kilometres of territory and around 600,000 inhabitants, while also imposing war reparations and military restrictions. Consequently, the revision of the treaty’s provisions became the principal objective of Bulgarian foreign policy. Stamboliyski’s government attempted to pursue this strategy through so-called peaceful revisionism, seeking improved relations with neighbouring states and support from the Great Powers. The author demonstrates, however, that fears of Bulgarian revisionism on the part of Greece and Romania prevented the achievement of lasting agreements, while rapprochement with Yugoslavia and Turkey failed to produce the expected results. The conclusions indicate that the policy of peaceful revisionism was largely ineffective, although it determined the main direction of Bulgarian diplomacy in the early interwar period.