Even before the end of the war, the new Bulgarian regime unleashed a large-scale purge of all state structures. Especially dire consequences for the social, political, and army life brought the Directive-Act for judging by the People’s Court. From December 1944 until April 1945, 135 sessions with 11,122 defendants were held. These resulted in 9,155 sentencings, including 2,730 capital and 1,305 life sentences with confiscations.
With the end of World War II began the era of bloc opposition. In 1949, for its protection, Western Europe set up the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). In 1955, the United Armed Forces of the Warsaw Pact member states were created as a counterpoint. Bulgaria’s assimilation into the Soviet sphere of influence determined the course of the Bulgarian People’s Army, which was subordinated to the military doctrine of the Warsaw Pact. The changes in the organization, the re-armament, and the training of the types and branches of the armed forces are presented through the stories and personal belongings of a number of actors on the national political and military scene, and also uniforms, weapons, equipment, and many other items—all testimonies to the events of the 45-year period.
