By 1887, Bulgaria had made progress, but much work remained for Prince Ferdinand. Over his 21-year reign, he showed great leadership and became a key figure in solving the Eastern Question, a major issue among European politicians.
Early Struggles as Prince
At the start of his rule, Ferdinand faced many problems:
Russia refused to recognize him because Bulgaria had rejected a candidate supported by Russian leaders Walking Tour Ephesus.
Turkey did not accept him because Bulgaria chose a prince without consulting the Ottoman Empire.
Other European nations waited to see what would happen.
Ferdinand needed great diplomatic skill to handle this situation.
A Leader Ready for Action
Despite these difficulties, Ferdinand quickly began working. He had the support of loyal ministers and his mother, Princess Clementine, who became a beloved figure in Bulgaria Prince Alexander’s Forced Abdication.
Building a Strong Nation
With unity, Bulgarians worked together to develop their country:
Expanding railways across Bulgaria.
Growing foreign trade and improving the economy.
Creating a strong public education system to reduce illiteracy.
Forming an efficient military, admired worldwide.
Education in the Army
The army was not just for war—every barracks had a school. Soldiers learned reading, writing, and math at army posts, where young officers, many from farming backgrounds, taught recruits in the evening.
