The Bulgarian Secret Central Committee dispatches “apostles” into Bulgaria to spread the message among the people.

The Turks and the Russians begin to mediate in 1866, seeking a compromise that will ensure the security of each in the face of increasing regional unrest.

Rakovski, well educated and experienced in the 1841 uprising and the drive for ecclesiastical independence, envisions a federal republic including all Balkan nations except Greece.

His fighters are to stir a full-scale national uprising after crossing into Bulgaria from assembly points in Romania and Serbia.

However, the Serbs, who had supported the Bulgarians while they were useful in opposing the Turks, disband the Bulgarian legions in Serbia when they no longer serve this purpose.