History The Ottoman Empire Questions
The Ottoman Empire's policy towards the Bulgarian population can be described as a mix of assimilation, repression, and occasional tolerance. Initially, the empire aimed to assimilate the Bulgarian population by imposing Islam and Turkish culture. However, as resistance grew, the Ottomans resorted to repressive measures, including heavy taxation, forced labor, and occasional massacres. Despite this, there were periods of relative tolerance, especially during the Tanzimat reforms in the 19th century, when some rights and privileges were granted to the Bulgarian population.