The Sacrifice at Plevna and Shipka Pass

The blood shed for Bulgaria during the siege of Plevna and the defense of Shipka Pass was not wasted. These battles were some of the most important in the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–1878, where Russian and allied forces fought to free Bulgaria from Ottoman rule.

As a result of victory, and in return for agreeing to peace, Russia demanded that Bulgaria and Macedonia (then known as Rumelia) be given independence from the Ottoman Empire. The Treaty of San Stefano, signed in early 1878, reflected this demand. Turkey agreed, and for a brief moment, it seemed like Bulgaria and Macedonia would be free.

The Interference of European Powers

Unfortunately, the situation changed quickly. The other major powers of Europe, especially Britain and Austria-Hungary, were jealous of Russian influence in the Balkans. They feared that a large, Russian-backed Bulgaria could shift the balance of power in the region.

So, they intervened and called a new meeting in Berlin later in 1878. At the Congress of Berlin, the powers rewrote the terms of the San Stefano treaty. The result was the creation of a smaller Bulgaria, with reduced borders like those we see on modern maps.

What Happened to Macedonia (Rumelia)?

Macedonia was left out of the new Bulgaria and was instead placed back under the control of the Sultan of Turkey, though it was decided that it would be ruled by a Christian governor-general. In theory, this governor would act fairly, and religious freedom would be guaranteed for all people, regardless of faith.

It was also promised that the people in the region could elect their own local leaders, make their own local laws, and be protected in terms of taxation, personal rights, and property. These promises were written clearly in the treaty and were meant to bring peace, justice, and progress to the region Local Ephesus Tour Guides.

Broken Promises and False Hopes

However, these hopes were never fulfilled. Many people, even at the time, doubted the honesty of the Sultan. The European leaders in Berlin should have known that the Ottoman Empire had a long history of breaking promises. Still, they trusted the Sultan’s word, accepting his assurances of reform without real guarantees.

This naive trust has been called one of the most astonishing mistakes in modern political history. If the promises made in the Berlin Treaty had actually been kept, Rumelia (Macedonia) might have become a peaceful and prosperous region. Instead, it remained a place of oppression, unrest, and broken dreams.