Ottoman-Bulgarian Dual Monarchy

[Abdul Hadi Pasha]

After the deposition of Prince Alexander of Bulgaria in 1886, Europe was plunged into yet another Balkan crisis, as the Russians demanded that the Sultan occupy Eastern Rumelia and nominate a new Prince, and generally used the situation to struggle with Britain to establish a protectorate over Bulgaria and the Ottoman Empire. Sultan Abdul Hamid II was faced with a very dangerous situation and with a great deal of skill managed to avoid falling under Russian or British power, and eventually secretly cooperated with Ferdinand to make him Prince.

But, as the crisis was in progress, the Bulgarians asked Abdul Hamid himself to assume the position of Prince of Bulgaria, which would have turned the Ottoman Empire into a Dual Monarchy along the lines of Austria-Hungary, except much, much weirder.

The Sultan avoided this as it would have led to a Russian declaration of war, and in any case would likely have led to more loss of territory to Bulgaria. But what if Russia had, for instance, ended up at war with Britain, perhaps over Afghanistan, and the Sultan had suffered a stroke imparing his judgement? How would the Ottoman-Bulgarian Dual Monarchy develop? I can't even imagine, except that it doesn't seem likely to last very long - although common enemies can make strange bedfellows...

 

[Faeelin]

This has gotta be one of the few ways to assure that a man is the king of two nations that are at war with each other...

 

[Wozza]

Well, the two countries do share common enemies later on, so a common rules is not beyond all possibility.

It might lead to lots of misunderstandings, what with the Bulgars shaking their heads when they mean "yes" every time they get a royal command,

 

[htgriffin]

This... could actually work if the Russians do not go nuts.

If it could be parlayed into a means of loyalty/adherance to the crown on the part of the Christians in the rest of the Empire....

HTG

 

[Grey Wolf]

My first thought is WOULD it be a Dual Monarchy ? He was already suzerain of Bulgaria in his position as Sultan. Would it not simply be putting a part under his direct personal rule in another form ? Not able to form my sentences properly, will reply more sanely later. I need to find Fluffy, go to the supermarket then make it to the pub in time to win big money in the Quiz ! Fluff, where are yooooooou ???

Grey Wolf
...sober

 

[rad_vsovereign]

Downright weird if I may say............
I thought the Bulgarians hate the Turks, why did they ask the Sultan to be Prince? Is there something they hide?

 

[Abdul Hadi Pasha]

Downright weird if I may say............
I thought the Bulgarians hate the Turks, why did they ask the Sultan to be Prince? Is there something they hide?

Better autonomy under the Ottomans than Russian rule. The Bulgarians weren't all that enthusiastic about the Russian invasion in 1877 - they had it good, and felt national devlopment under the Ottomans was a better bet than under the Russians.

 

[Tocomocho]

The Sultan avoided this as it would have led to a Russian declaration of war, and in any case would likely have led to more loss of territory to Bulgaria. But what if Russia had, for instance, ended up at war with Britain, perhaps over Afghanistan, and the Sultan had suffered a stroke imparing his judgement? How would the Ottoman-Bulgarian Dual Monarchy develop? I can't even imagine, except that it doesn't seem likely to last very long - although common enemies can make strange bedfellows...

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't the Ottomans give Cyprus to the British in exchange for military support against an eventual declaration of war from Russia?

 

[Abdul Hadi Pasha]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't the Ottomans give Cyprus to the British in exchange for military support against an eventual declaration of war from Russia?

The British exacted it as a "broker's commission" for the Berlin settlement, as the Russian victory had upset the balance of power. It was also a base from which to watch the Russians in case they invaded headed for the Med. But the quid pro quo was a free hand for the French in Tunis. This destroyed the British position in the Ottoman Empire, and was in retrospect a foolish decision, but at the time Salisbury thought that the OE was now a British protectorate - but he underestimated Abdul Hamid.