The Economic Activities in Gabrovo after 9th of September 1944 – from “Patriotic Industrials” to “Former People” (1944-1947)

The coup on 9 September 1944 marked the beginning of radical political, economic and social changes in Bulgarian society. The reorientation to another socio-economic order puts entrepreneurial conditions as a potential threat to the Fatherland Front, leading to a series of measures to curb and eradicate the private sector in the economy. In accordance with this policy, during the period 1944-1947, unprecedented political, judicial, administrative and economic pressure was exerted on private initiative representatives in the industry. On 23 December 1947 225 enterprises in Gabrovo and its environs were nationalized – textile, knitwear, leather, and more. This affects about 360 families, who were deprived not only of industrial enterprises as owners and shareholders, but also of almost everything they own. After the establishment of totalitarian rule at the end of 1947 and the nationalization carried out, the industrialists were placed in the category of "former people" then introduced by the regime. This group of people, along with their heirs, were declared "one of the most vicious enemies of the people's power", the main class enemy of the Communist Party and subjected to persecution by the BCP's repressive apparatus until the end of the regime.