Bulgaria during World War II

 Bulgaria's role during World War II was complex and multifaceted, marked by periods of neutrality, alliance with the Axis Powers, and eventual alignment with the Allies. Initially, Bulgaria declared neutrality at the outbreak of the war in 1939, hoping to avoid direct involvement and seeking territorial gains lost in previous conflicts. However, under pressure from Germany and the Soviet Union, Bulgaria restored the southern Dobruja from Romania in 1940 and joined the Axis Powers on March 1, 1941.

As part of the Axis, Bulgaria occupied parts of Greece, Yugoslavia, and Serbia, including Greek Thrace, Yugoslav Macedonia, and parts of Serbia. Despite its alliance with Germany, Bulgaria resisted Axis pressure to join the war against the Soviet Union, fearing popular unrest. Bulgaria declared war on Britain and the United States in December 1941 but avoided direct military involvement on the Eastern Front.

The Bulgarian government enacted anti-Semitic legislation under German pressure but faced significant domestic opposition. In early 1943, the government complied with German requests to deport non-Bulgarian Jews from occupied territories to concentration camps, but a planned deportation of Bulgarian Jews was canceled due to widespread protests and parliamentary intervention. This effort to protect its Jewish population is often cited as a notable aspect of Bulgaria's wartime history.

The turning point came in August 1944, when the Red Army entered Bulgaria. A coup d'état led to the overthrow of the pro-German government, and Bulgaria declared war on Germany on September 8, 1944. The country then aligned with the Allies for the remainder of the war.

In summary, Bulgaria's wartime experience was characterized by initial neutrality, alliance with the Axis, and eventual alignment with the Allies. The country's efforts to protect its Jewish population and its complex political maneuvers during the war highlight the multifaceted nature of its role in World War II.