The Bulgarian History Podcast

As the Second World War begins, Germany and the Soviet Union begin carving up eastern Europe between them. But for now, Bulgaria and its Balkan neighbors remain neutral. But what will it take to maintain that neutrality as darkness descends upon the continent? 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/252-darkness-descends Check out the book here: www.amazon.com/State-Builders-St…an/dp/6197814110/

As fascist powers continue to take land from their neighbors and take over new countries, an agreement between Germany and the Soviet Union shocks the word and gives Bulgaria an opportunity. 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/251-deal-between-devils Check out the book here: www.amazon.com/State-Builders-St…an/dp/6197814110/

With war in Europe looming, leaders around the Balkans work to tighten their grip on power. 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/250-tightening-grip Check out the book here: www.amazon.com/State-Builders-St…an/dp/6197814110/

As Bulgaria begins seriously rearming and reequipping its military, the European map begins to change at a rapid pace as Germany annexes several key 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/249-death-knell Check out the book here: www.amazon.com/State-Builders-St…an/dp/6197814110/

Tsar Boris seeks to strengthen his position with both the first parliamentary elections in 7 years and the long-awaited birth of an heir. 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/248-tidy-democracy Check out the book here: www.amazon.com/State-Builders-St…an/dp/6197814110/

As fascist revisionist powers make bold moves on the European stage and upset the post-war status quo, Tsar Boris' non-party government faces its first real test. 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/247-first-test Check out the book here: www.amazon.com/State-Builders-St…an/dp/6197814110/

To commemorate Bulgaria's transition to the Euro on January 1st 2026, this special episode looks back on the 145 year history of the Bulgarian Lev as a currency. 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/history-of-lev Check out the book here: www.amazon.com/State-Builders-St…an/dp/6197814110/

The new government spearheaded by Tsar Boris himself struggles to overcome internal divisions, political opposition, and an assassination plot as world events make the situation for the country more dangerous by the day. 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/246-adversary-in-the-house Check out the book here: www.amazon.com/State-Builders-St…an/dp/6197814110/

In Greece, the triumph of the monarchist faction has brought about a return of the King alongside a military dictatorship. Meanwhile, the old guard faction of the Bulgarian communists is triumphant as well, liquidating the left-sectarian faction and taking full control of the organization. But at home, Tsar Boris outplays the opposition to take further control of the government. 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/245-reign-govern Check out the book here: www.amazon.com/State-Builders-St…an/dp/6197814110/

As the Zveno and Military League government focuses on implementing its reforms, it suddenly finds that it has been outplayed by an unlikely opponent. 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/244-checkmate Check out the book here: www.amazon.com/State-Builders-St…an/dp/6197814110/

After the May 19th coup, the new government quick sets about abolishing the constitution and ruling by decree. 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/243-by-decree Check out the book here: www.amazon.com/State-Builders-St…an/dp/6197814110/

As the Mushanov government falls prey to infighting and corruption, forces within the military, political establishment, and even the palace make plans to end the malaise and remake the state. 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/242-zvenos-strike Check out the book here: https://www.amazon.com/State-Builders-Steppe-History-Bulgarian/dp/6197814110/

Yugoslavia gets a new constitution, the VMRO takes its violence to a new level, and Bulgaria gets brought ever closer to an increasingly authoritarian Germany. 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/241-storm-clouds-gather Learn more about the book and sign up for updates here: thisisbulgaria.org/state-suilders-from-the-steppe/

After 5 years, the Lyapchev government finally falls. But while it's replaced by another coalition committed to democracy, fascist movements proliferate as the challenges of the Great Depression continue to batter Bulgaria. 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/240-another-shot Learn more about the book and sign up for updates here: thisisbulgaria.org/state-suilders-from-the-steppe/

As the Great Depression spreads across the globe, Bulgaria is particularly vulnerable for a multitude of reasons. Meanwhile, the country's bachelor king finally finds love. 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/239-love-and-depression Learn more about the book and sign up for updates here: thisisbulgaria.org/state-suilders-from-the-steppe/

The stage is set for a final showdown between Stamboliiski and his long list of enemies. In the aftermath of that coup, Bulgaria experiences unprecedented violence as all manner of factions and movements fight for power and survival. Ultimately though, the country turns to moderate politics, only for that movement to flounder. 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/238-experiment-part-2 Learn more about the book and sign up for updates here: https://thisisbulgaria.org/state-suilders-from-the-steppe/ Check out the book here: www.amazon.com/State-Builders-St…an/dp/6197814110/

With the onset of the 1920s, Bulgaria's firebrand Agrarian leader Alexander Stamboliiski rises to become the preeminent political power in the country. But with each new triumph the opposition steadily grows to his regime. 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/237-experiment-part-1 Check out the book here: www.amazon.com/State-Builders-St…an/dp/6197814110/

In Bulgaria and throughout the Balkans it seems that political experiments are coming to an end. Democracy is ending in Yugoslavia, Agrarianism is being steadily killed off, and moderates are under pressure from all sides. As the 1920s and season 10 come to a close, the Lyapchev government faces its toughest challenges yet. 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/236-twilight-experiment