Bulgaria finally enters the First World War, joining Germany and Austria-Hungary in a massive offensive against Serbia. But while some victories are coming easily, all is not as it seems. True, Bulgaria is finally realizing one of its greatest national ambitions, but will it all turn out to be just a dream? Supporters like you make this podcast happen! Check out www.patreon.com/bulgarianhistorypodcast to see the great perks you can get for supporting us. You can find images for this episode at: www.bghistorypodcast.com/post/206-a-dream-realized

As Summer 1915 turns to Fall, Bulgaria makes it choice to join the Central Powers and attack Serbia. But in the final weeks before that decision becomes known, the country faced political turmoil and exceptionally difficult questions about the future... Supporters like you make this podcast happen! Check out www.patreon.com/bulgarianhistorypodcast to see the great perks you can get for supporting us. You can find images for this episode at: www.bghistorypodcast.com/post/205-the-die-is-cast

As the Great War drags on, Bulgarian participation becomes ever more valuable. Now, as the Spring of 1915 turns to summer both the Entente and Central Powers are vying for Bulgaria's support like never before. Meanwhile, new powers are entering the war and failures on the battlefield are reshaping the war again and again. Supporters like you make this podcast happen! Check out www.patreon.com/bulgarianhistorypodcast to see the great perks you can get for supporting us. You can find images for this episode at: www.bghistorypodcast.com/post/204-bulgarian-summer

As the First World War moves past the optimistic summer of 1914 it quickly becomes clear to everyone that the war will not end anytime soon. Meanwhile, the intense courtship of Bulgaria as an ally begins, forcing the country to reckon with what its support might be worth. Supporters like you make this podcast happen! Check out www.patreon.com/bulgarianhistorypodcast to see the great perks you can get for supporting us. You can find images for this episode at: www.bghistorypodcast.com/post/203-settling-into-stalemate

As Romania and Serbia crack down on the Bulgarian populations of their newly acquired territories, Bulgaria's Prime Minister attempts to finally build a governing coalition. At the same time, war clouds gather over Europe as the Great War finally begins. Supporters like you make this podcast happen! Check out www.patreon.com/bulgarianhistorypodcast to see the great perks you can get for supporting us. You can find images for this episode at: www.bghistorypodcast.com/post/202-great-war-begins

As the fighting of the Second Balkan Wars ends, Bulgaria searches for a path forward and hundreds of thousands of people in the region face difficult decisions: to stay or leave. Supporters like you make this podcast happen! Check out www.patreon.com/bulgarianhistorypodcast to see the great perks you can get for supporting us. You can find images for this episode at: www.bghistorypodcast.com/post/201-resistance-acceptance

After the conclusion of what is rightfully called the "first national catastrophe" it's worth looking back at the scale, scope, and meaning of the Balkan Wars to understand their importance to Bulgaria, Europe, and the world. Supporters like you make this podcast happen! Check out www.patreon.com/bulgarianhistorypodcast to see the great perks you can get for supporting us. You can find images for this episode at: www.bghistorypodcast.com/post/200-balkan-wars-retrospect

The die is cast as Bulgaria embarks on a surprise attack against Serbia and Greece to gain the territories it feels it has earned. Supporters like you make this podcast happen! Check out www.patreon.com/bulgarianhistorypodcast to see the great perks you can get for supporting us. You can find images for this episode at: www.bghistorypodcast.com/post/199-first-national-catastrophe

With the end of the First Balkan War, Bulgaria faces a difficult choice. Its army is on the brink of revolt, its neighbors are threatening war, and an uprising in Macedonia is poised to begin any moment. With Macedonia largely under Serbian and Greek control, what is Bulgaria to do? Supporters like you make this podcast happen! Check out www.patreon.com/bulgarianhistorypodcast to see the great perks you can get for supporting us. You can find images for this episode at: www.bghistorypodcast.com/post/198-one-against-all

Just as Bulgaria achieves what one author terms its first diplomatic success of the war, the country is losing another kind of war. Supporters like you make this podcast happen! Check out www.patreon.com/bulgarianhistorypodcast to see the great perks you can get for supporting us. You can find images for this episode at: www.bghistorypodcast.com/post/197-beginning-end

As the First Balkan War enters its final stages, the final 3 Ottoman fortresses are each forced to surrender. But even before the guns fall silent, the true battlefield has shifted to the negotiating table. Supporters like you make this podcast happen! Check out www.patreon.com/bulgarianhistorypodcast to see the great perks you can get for supporting us. You can find images for this episode at: www.bghistorypodcast.com/post/196-the-fortresses-fall

Mere hours after peace is agreed to, a coup tears up the treaty and brings the war back into an active phase. As a result, Bulgaria faces renewed assaults and renewed pressure by allies and enemies alike. Supporters like you make this podcast happen! Check out www.patreon.com/bulgarianhistorypodcast to see the great perks you can get for supporting us. You can find images for this episode at: www.bghistorypodcast.com/post/195-the-war-resumes

With the failure of Bulgaria's assault on the Chataldzha line, the pace of the war has declined and the Tsar accepted that an armistice is necessary. But the terms of that armistice are already controversial, bringing Europe to the brink of war. Supporters like you make this podcast happen! Check out www.patreon.com/bulgarianhistorypodcast to see the great perks you can get for supporting us. You can find images for this episode at: www.bghistorypodcast.com/post/194-chataldzha-armistice

As the Greeks and Serbs complete the defeat of most Ottoman forces in the rest of the Balkans, the Bulgarians finally begin the attack on the final set of defenses standing between them and Constantinople. Supporters like you make this podcast happen! Check out www.patreon.com/bulgarianhistorypodcast to see the great perks you can get for supporting us. You can find images for this episode at: www.bghistorypodcast.com/post/193-wave-against-rocks

After two weeks of great victories, the Balkan states try and press their advantage. But above all, the great race is for the city of Thessaloniki. Supporters like you make this podcast happen! Check out www.patreon.com/bulgarianhistorypodcast to see the great perks you can get for supporting us. You can find images for this episode at: www.bghistorypodcast.com/post/192-the-great-race

As the Bulgarians, Serbs, and Greeks each win huge victories on the battlefield, can they capitalize on their success or will they be stuck with lost victories? Supporters like you make this podcast happen! Check out www.patreon.com/bulgarianhistorypodcast to see the great perks you can get for supporting us. You can find images for this episode at: www.bghistorypodcast.com/post/191-lost-victories

The war, decades in the making, to expel the Ottoman Empire from Europe has begun. In this episode, we look at the armies and societies going to war as well as covering the first days of Bulgarian operations in Thrace. Supporters like you make this podcast happen! Check out www.patreon.com/bulgarianhistorypodcast to see the great perks you can get for supporting us. You can find images for this episode at: www.bghistorypodcast.com/post/190-early-first-balkan-war

This episode covers the second half of season 8, roughly from late 1904 until the beginning of the First Balkan War in 1912. In that time, the Balkan status quo broke wide open as Russia and Austria-Hungary returned to their competition for dominance. Meanwhile, the Young Turk Revolution in the Ottoman Empire greatly destabilized the country and further opened up chances to end the long-imposed status quo. As a result, Italy won a war against the Ottomans and the Balkan League formed to take its European territories. Supporters like you make this podcast happen! Check out www.patreon.com/bulgarianhistorypodcast to see the great perks you can get for supporting us. You can find images for this episode at: www.bghistorypodcast.com/post/189-calm-before-the-storm-part-2

This episode covers the first half of Season 8, roughly from 1895 to 1904. In that time, Ferdinand took firm control of Bulgarian politics as governments came and went as he pleased. Meanwhile, the MRO and Supremecists vied for power and influence, leading to a series of bloody and unsuccessful revolts. Internally, Bulgaria struggled to finance its massive army alongside investments in its economy and infrastructure, leading to massive foreign loans and crippling taxes on the peasantry. Supporters like you make this podcast happen! Check out www.patreon.com/bulgarianhistorypodcast to see the great perks you can get for supporting us. You can find images for this episode at: www.bghistorypodcast.com/post/188-calm-before-the-storm-part-1

As the Ottomans face war with Italy, another Albanian uprising, the resurgence of violence in Macedonia, and a coup, pressure mounts on the Balkan states to take advantage of their weakness. But overcoming their internal differences won't be easy. Supporters like you make this podcast happen! Check out www.patreon.com/bulgarianhistorypodcast to see the great perks you can get for supporting us. You can find images for this episode at: www.bghistorypodcast.com/post/187-the-balkan-league