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| 1881, July 13 |
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| Upon Alexander's initiative and with Russian consent, a new constituent assembly, dominated by conservatives after coercive elections, amended the constitution and introduced indirect suffrage and restrictions of civil liberties, providing the prince with greater power. | 1 |
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| 1882 |
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| Faced with continued political instability, Alexander appointed a ministry headed by Russian officers. | 2 |
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| 1883, Sept. 30 |
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| Alexander, hounded by Russian concession hunters (demands for a Rustchuk-Küstendil railway) and confronted with the hostility of the liberal, nationalist elements, restored the constitution of 1879, thereby winning the enmity of the Russians. | 3 |
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| 1884, Dec |
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| The Democratic government of Petko Karavelov nationalized all rail lines and the Bulgarian bank. | 4 |
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| 1885, Sept. 18 |
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| Bulgarian nationalists staged a coup against the government of Eastern Rumelia in Plovdiv, seeking union with Bulgaria. Alexander, under nationalist pressure, was obliged to assume leadership of the movement, despite violent protests from Russia (See 1885, Sept). | 5 |
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| Nov. 13 |
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| SERBIA DECLARED WAR, demanding compensation (See Nov. 13). A loose force of Bulgarians defeated the Serbs at Slivnitza (Nov. 17) and then invaded Serbia and took Pirot (Nov. 27), but Austrian diplomatic intervention forced them to withdraw. Peace was made on March 3, 1886. The powers rejected complete union, opting instead for a settlement naming the Bulgarian prince as governor of Eastern Rumelia (Feb. 1, 1886). | 6 |
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