The Bulgarian History Podcast

This episode covers the journey of Aleko Konstantinov to the Grand Columbian Exhibition, giving a glimpse into life, travel, and how Bulgaria showed itself abroad in 1893. Then, we cover another set of constitutional changes pushed by Stefan Stambolov to cement his power. But with his political strength fading, will it be enough? You can register for the Intelligent Speech Conference here with pro...

As Bulgaria experiences yet more assassinations, and Stambolov's power looks more uncertain despite diplomatic victories, the pressure on Ferdinand to find a bride intensifies. You can register for the Intelligent Speech Conference here with promo code "Bulgaria" www.intelligentspeechconference.com/product…g-2021/ Supporters like you make this podcast happen! Check out www.patreon.com/bulgarianhis...

An assassin comes for Stefan Stambolov, triggering a major political shakeup in Bulgaria as Prince Ferdinand begins the search for a bride in an attempt to begin a dynasty and stabilize the country. You can register for the Intelligent Speech Conference here with promo code "Bulgaria" https://www.intelligentspeechconference.com/product/intelligent-speech-spring-2021/ Supporters like you make this...

Both Serbia and Austria-Hungary face dramatic changes in their royal families as Russia continues its campaign to overthrow and replace Bulgaria's government despite repeated failures. 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...

As Ferdinand and Stambolov settle into their roles running the country, their opponents foreign and domestic continue to try and take them down. As these attempts fail, strategies shift and the two will have to adapt to stay on top. Meanwhile, armed bandits and new railway lines are each doing their part to reshape Bulgaria in the eyes of the world. Supporters like you make this podcast happen! Ch...

As Ferdinand searches for a man to lead his first government, there seems to be only one possible candidate. With his appointment as Prime Minister, Stefan Stambolov begins a new era of Bulgarian history. 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....

Ferdinand has finally accepted and Bulgaria finally has a monarch once again. But that doesn't mean his becoming Prince of Bulgaria will be easy. He needs to navigate a delicate international situation, dodge assassination attempts, and adapt to conditions in Sofia. Supporters like you make this podcast happen! Check out www.patreon.com/bulgarianhistorypodcast to see the great perks you can get fo...

Bulgaria's newly elected Grand National Assembly scours Europe for a suitable monarch while the great powers find themselves on the brink of war over the issue. Amidst this tension, a candidate emerges. 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.bg...

In the aftermath of Stambolov's counter-coup, the new regency tries to repair relations with Russia. However, Tsar Alexander III has his own ideas. 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/153-friendly-advice

Despite his military and political victories, nothing seems enough to save Alexander Battenberg from his bad relationship with the Tsar of Russia. 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/152-the-fall-of-alexander-batten...

After turning back the initial Serbian attack, Bulgarian forces enter Serbia. But while the Bulgarian army is advancing in the field, diplomats on all sides are rushing to resolve the war. The question is whether military victories will be enough to secure unification and the future of Prince Alexander Battenberg. Supporters like you make this podcast happen! Check out www.patreon.com/bulgarianhis...

The Serbian declaration of war came as a shock to Bulgaria, who now has to rush its soldiers from the Ottoman border to meet the invaders. Deprived of nearly its entire officer corps, the country looks ripe for conquest. Now. as the Serbs advance on 3 fronts, the question hangs in teh air, can the Bulgarians hold them off? Supporters like you make this podcast happen! Check out www.patreon.com/bul...

As Bulgarian unification with Eastern Rumelia rushes ahead, forcing politicians and royals alike to quickly adapt, Bulgaria waits to see what the foreign response will be. Soldiers are being mobilized, diplomats are gathering, and war clouds are rumbling in the distance. Supporters like you make this podcast happen! Check out www.patreon.com/bulgarianhistorypodcast to see the great perks you can g...

After years of chaos, some level of stability finally comes to Bulgarian politics. However, while this allows the government in Sofia to finally resolve many long-standing issues, it won't last long. Agitation for unification with Macedonia and Eastern Rumelia is rising by the day as political leaders struggle to control the situation. Supporters like you make this podcast happen! Check out www.pa...

Now that every possible faction in Bulgaria's chaotic political system has angered every other faction, it seems only two things can now unite them: a desire to restore the Tarnovo Constitution and to show their anger towards Russia. Now it remains to be seen just how they will go about these two missions. Supporters like you make this podcast happen! Check out www.patreon.com/bulgarianhistorypodc...

Now that Prince Alexander's coup has in theory given him everything he wanted, the question of what he can do with his new power remains. As the shaky coalition between the Russians, Conservatives, and Prince gets underway, it quickly becomes apparent that these three have very different interests and goals. Supporters like you make this podcast happen! Check out www.patreon.com/bulgarianhistorypo...

As a far-off assassination rocks Bulgaria, Prince Alexander finally sees an opening to achieve his aims to govern as he wishes. However, things won't be as easy or simple as he thinks. 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...

As the Liberal Party finally get the chance to govern, it quickly makes enemies at home and abroad. Political fights get ugly and frustration mounts everywhere. Meanwhile, work continues on how to unify Bulgaria with Eastern Rumelia and fighting erupts in Macedonia. Supporters like you make this podcast happen! Check out www.patreon.com/bulgarianhistorypodcast to see the great perks you can get fo...

As Bulgaria and Eastern Rumelia each face the many problems associated with their new independence, they take very different approaches. Meanwhile, Prince Alexander becomes ever more frustrated with his position as election after election fails to get him what he wants. Supporters like you make this podcast happen! Check out www.patreon.com/bulgarianhistorypodcast to see the great perks you can ge...

In this episode, we dive into the first Bulgarian political factions and the complex political environment into which the young Prince Alexander was stepping. As he meets with the leaders of the Great Powers and attempts to form his first government, he's quickly learning that governing Bulgaria will not be easy. Supporters like you make this podcast happen! Check out www.patreon.com/bulgarianhist...

In this episode, Bulgaria's Constituent Assembly begins the work of agreeing on a Constitution and finding a foreign prince. As this occurs, the first political factions begin to develop, creating dangerous divisions ready to exploit the system of government which wasn't even fully decided. Supporters like you make this podcast happen! Check out www.patreon.com/bulgarianhistorypodcast to see the g...

Even as the ink on the Treaty of Berlin is drying, Bulgarians are up in arms about its provisions. Soon, new uprisings are planned, newspapers and organizations protest, a new government is formed, and a constitution is written. It's a heady time full of hope and despair. Supporters like you make this podcast happen! Check out www.patreon.com/bulgarianhistorypodcast to see the great perks you can...

This episode completes the recap of Season 6 by covering the years 1862-1878. In that time, reforms brought some greater prosperity to Bulgaria but ultimately failed to do nearly enough. Bulgarian revolutionaries organized and began sending armed bands into the territory, culminating in the disastrous April Uprising. Heroes like Vasil Levski and Hristo Botev rose to prominence before dying in thei...

In this episode, we recap the years 1807 to 1862 as a series of wars and uprisings rapidly diminish Ottoman power and holdings in the Balkans. Meanwhile the Ottoman state is modernizing as Bulgaria goes though its National Revival, adding schools, factories, and new publications at an increasing pace. Supporters like you make this podcast happen! Check out www.patreon.com/bulgarianhistorypodcast t...

After the San Stefano treaty provoked outrage in the capitals of Europe and a series of secret agreements for adjusting it were concluded, it was finally time for the Great Powers to meet in Berlin and lay out the final conclusion of the Russo-Turkish War. The results will finally create a semi-independent Bulgarian state but, more importantly, will lay the groundwork for the bloody first decades...