The Bulgarian Revolution

Lesson Plan - Get It!

Audio:

Every nation has special monuments, statues, and buildings that remind people of important historical events, places, and people.

Mount Rushmore, pictured in the beginning of the lesson, is one such place. It helps Americans remember these four presidents who were so important in building the American nation. In this lesson, we will be exploring some of the national monuments of a modern European nation: Bulgaria.Firstthough, you will explore some history so you can better understand those monuments!

Find Bulgaria on the map of Europe below:

Read a short passage below about the rise of the modern nation of Bulgaria. As you read, write down information to answer the following questions:

• How long have the Bulgarian people lived in the land now called “Bulgaria”?
• Who has ruled Bulgaria over the centuries?
• When did Bulgaria finally gain its independence?

Now, read the following passage and answer the questions:

People have lived in the land that is now Bulgaria for many thousands of years. Many different people have lived in and ruled over that land, including the Thracians, the Ancient Persians — who came from the East — and the Romans. The Bulgar people arrived about 1,800 years ago. The Bulgars came from the lands of Central Asia, and are related to the Turks, the people of modern Turkey and other places. The Bulgarians built two empires of their own before they were conquered by the Turks in the year 1396 AD.

In April 1876, a group of Bulgarians revolted against Ottoman rule. The Ottoman Empire was weakening. In fact, many people at the time called the Ottoman Empire “the sick man of Europe” because of the empire's many troubles. Bulgaria finally declared its independence from the Ottoman Empire on September 22, 1908, a day marked by a national holiday every year.

Check your answers with your parent or teacher, then work together to locate Bulgaria on a map.

In the Got It? section, explore some of the interesting history of Bulgaria by touring its most important monuments.