Bulgaria's independence from the Ottoman Empire has brought drastic economic and social changes to the new country.

Industrialization has proceeded rapidly (thirty-six major factories have opened between 1878 and 1887), and from displaced artisans and agricultural workers forms a new class of industrial labor.

Prince Ferdinand of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha had been proclaimed Prince Regnant of autonomous Bulgaria ten months after the abdication of his predecessor Prince Alexander of Battenberg but, because Russia declares Ferdinand a usurper, Europe withholds recognition, the bishops of the Holy Synod will not pay him homage, and conspiracies flourish.

Liberal party leader Stefan Stambolov, prime minister from 1887, uses the military to ruthlessly suppress all opposition.