Bulgaria and Serbia War (November 1885)

The alliance of Bulgaria and East Romania was in contravention of the Congress of Berlin. The Congress of Berlin (1878) as part of the settlement of the 1877-8 Russo-Ottoman War, created a principality of Bulgaria, notionally under the suzerainty of the Ottoman sultan and Bulgaria, an autonomous Ottoman province of Eastern Rumelia under a Christian governor general.

The newly unified Bulgarian state lacked trained senior military officers and a big power patron.

In 1885 the inhabitants of Eastern Rumelia revolted and proclaimed their union with Bulgaria. Before any action was initiated by the Ottoman Empire or the big power, Serbia attacked Bulgaria on 15 November 1885. Serbian forces crossed the frontier and advanced toward Sofia.

The Serbia army was militia-based, while the Russian trained and officered Bulgarian army was organized on the German model.

Bulgarian marched the troops to the northwest of the country and defeated the invaders at Slivnitsa 17-19 November. The Bulgarians were victorious, although they suffered 3000 casualties to the Serbs’ 2000.

At a time when the Bulgarian armies were successfully moving forward and entered Serbian territory, the big powers especially Austria brought pressure and Bulgaria had to conclude peace treaty with Serbia. 

Austro-Hungarians intervened warned further Bulgarian advance into Serbia would meet Austrian military resistance. As a result of all these proceedings however, alliance of Bulgaria and east Romania, was approved by the big powers.

In April 1886 the Ottoman Empire appointed Alexander as governor of newly formed state. Russia continued to oppose Alexander. In September 1886 Czar brought pressure on Alexander who tendered his resignation.
Bulgaria and Serbia War (November 1885)