After standing on the sidelines for over a year, Bulgaria finally enters the First World War on the side of the Central Powers. However, despite achieving nearly all of its territorial ambitions, war weariness soon sets in as the country wrestles with just how it can actually keep all that it's gained. 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/221-national-catastrophes-2

This episode recaps the first half of Season 9, beginning with the First Balkan War in 1912. Victory in that war was quickly overshadowed by the growing reality that all of Bulgaria's neighbors were turning against it, leading to the Second Balkan War. In that conflict, Bulgaria was overwhelmed and defeated, leading to the loss of major territories. In its aftermath, the First World War offers an opportunity for revenge. 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/220-national-catastrophes-1

As the realities of the treaty ending the First World War for Bulgaria become clear, several political groups begin to form paramilitary wings as the violent struggle for post-war Bulgaria 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/219-2nd-national-catastrophe

New elections and a final peace treaty with the Entente both loom as the struggle over who will control Bulgaria in the new post-war world begins to take shape. 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/218-stamboliiski-takes-charge Support the English version of Na Oko! https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/therory/na-oko-a-culinary-awakening?ref=project_link

With the First World War at an end, it's time to look back at the immense costs it has imposed on Bulgaria and the world. In this environment, Bulgaria is trying to stabilize itself and lobby the Paris Peace Conference for better terms, but success is far from guaranteed. 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/217-dust-settles

With an army approaching Sofia, the government prepares for a fight while desperately awaiting news from the armistace negotiators. While it's clear the First World War is over for Bulgaria, just how that end is going to come remains to be seen. 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/216-armistice-abdication

With the collapse of the Macedonian front and revolution in the air, Tsar Ferdinand is forced to turn to his greatest opponent for help... 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/215-peasant-and-tsar

Some of the best fortifications in the world are manned by soldiers low on food, clothing, and supplies. So what happens when they meet an enemy determined to break a years long stalemate? Breakthrough. 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/214-breakthrough

The Central Powers are victorious in the east! Now it's time to divvy up the spoils... 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/213-the-spoils

With the collapse of the Provisional government and the onset of the Russian Civil War, the Central Powers have finally achieved victory in the east. But as negotiations over that peace begin, the course of the war remains just as unclear as ever. 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/212-eastern-victories

As the winter of 1916-17 comes to a close, the First World War enters a new phase as one major power enter and another moves towards the door under the grip of revolution. But for Bulgaria the struggle is to hold on as a powerful series of attacks in Macedonia put its defenses to the 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/211-balkan-verdun