REASONS FOR BULGARIA’S ENTRY INTO WORLD WAR I ON THE SIDE OF THE CENTRAL POWERS. MILITARY, POLITICAL, AND DIPLOMATIC ASPECTS

The article presents a complex of reasons for Bulgaria’s entry into World War I on the side of the Central Powers. It examines the role of the diplomatic factor, particularly in Bulgarian-Turkish relations, which have been scarcely studied in historiography. It is concluded that the threat of Constantinople being captured by Anglo-French troops increased Bulgaria’s significance for opposing blocs. German diplomacy succeeded in reconciling Turkey and Bulgaria, pressuring the Turks to make territorial concessions. That the Entente could not compel Serbia to yield land to Bulgaria, became a key factor that influenced the Bulgarian government’s decision. Public opinion in Bulgaria perceived Serbia as an enemy having taken Macedonia from the Bulgarians after the Second Balkan War. As a result, the Serbs and Bulgarians were not ready to fight on the same side until territorial disputes were resolved. The article also highlights that Bulgaria entered the war on October 1 (14), 1915, after Belgrade had fallen and most of the Serbian troops had been redirected to fight the Austro-German forces. Additionally, the author emphasizes the efforts of Russian diplomacy to persuade Bulgaria to side with the Entente