Why did Bulgaria join the axis? (Short Animated Documentary) 

Bulgaria: the only axis member to gain territory in the peace conference.

"...and also to end Yugoslvia, because why not?" Hahah

Germany: Please help invade the soviet union Bulgaria: I dont think i will

Do you ever notice how most of the "lesser" Axis powers just didn't really have a choice? It was either be invaded by Nazis or be invaded by Soviets

"Czars and communism don't mix" - Understatement of the 20th century.

Hitler: Hey, I’m going to march troops through you to get to Greece, so either join us or, you know, be invaded

You forgot to mention that Boris III died mysteriously.

Even though it's shown in the "ended pretty poorly for Bulgario though" map, did you forget to mention that Bulgaria got to keep Southern Dobruja. I feel this is something you should've mentioned as Bulgaria was the only axis member to actually gain territory after WW2.

If germany allied with Luxembourg then they would have definitely won the war

That kinda sounds like asking the bullied kid why did he join a street gang full of foreigners.

Seems worth mentioning that pretty much everyone supported Bulgarian claims to southern Dobrudja (except Romania obv), not just the Germans, hence it remained Bulgarian after the war.

So Bulgaria was forced to join them, but was against the unethical actions and didn’t actually fight anyone, but still lost. Damn feels bad

I will correct one thing: Treaty of Craiova (the returning of Southern Dobrudja to Bulgaria) was not only backed by Italy (like you said in the video) but in fact was approved by Britain, France, Germany, Italy, the Soviet Union and to some extend by the United States.

I'm like waaaaaaay too late but I thought of a joke anyway Tsar Boris be like "All my ministers are anglophiles, my generals are germanophiles, the people - rusophiles. I think I'm the only Bulgarian in this country"

> Protected the Jews > Did not participate (actively) in the invasion of the Soviet Union, nor in the war overall > Knock, knock! There is nothing for dinner! But kept Dobruja at least

Since we are on the train of countries joining/fighting with the axis how about you do Finland next? In my oppinion it's the most complicated of the bunch since there was no clear pact between Finland and the axis but there was clear co-operation between the two during the Continuation War. Also the reasons that led up to it are very complex and interesting on their own.

"Bulgaria joined the Axis in WWII" >:0 "Bulgaria refused to actually fight anybody or to deport its Jewish population" :)

Great video, Bulgaria is definitely overlooked in ww2.

"Hitler wanted to move troops through the Bulgaria and Yugoslavia to Greece and told those countries to join the Axis or be invaded. Bulgaria opted to join the Axis. Yugoslavia opted to be invaded."

Poor Bulgaria, never did any fighting againsts soviet union but still gets invaded and became Soviet satelite

Tsar Boris was so anti-war that when a woman told him that they are eating black bread, he told her that it's better to eat black bread that to have black veil (symbol of mourning for the dead)

I love your videos and I really enjoyed this one as I'm a Bulgarian! Much love from Bulgaria! ❤

Germany: Just like the good ol time? Bulgaria: *Yes and no*

When I saw the notification I was like “wait didn’t I already watch that” but then I realized that the old video was about Romania, not Bulgaria.

Love these shorter videos and the frequency they've been coming out, but I have to say I miss some of the longer videos. Covering a bigger topic was always great to watch

2:22 Bulgaria waddling away was surprisingly hilarious and cute

Bulgaria just seems like a small country in between giants trying to not pick sides in an attempt to keep itself alive during that period.

It’s because they went down that part of their focus tree... plus Germany and the Thunder Dragon Empire was boosting party popularity...

0:04 I like how the bulgarian border matches very well to the german border.

Awesome! And the moment "Bulgaria just taking the new territories and leaving Axis." - epic, absolutely hilarious!

Bulgaria: No I won't help invade the Soviet Union Stalin: Okay but we're still going to occupy you anyway.

Romania and Bulgaria basically joined the Axis so they don't die.

So cool seeing my country's history on here - thank you!!!

0:48 Because Tsars and communism don't mix.... That just killed me😅😂

Germany: Hey Bulgaria, can you help Deport Jews and such and help invade the Soviet Union? Bulgaria: Yes but actually n- *Surrenders to the Soviets*

Thanks for the cool vid! It was very informative and as a Bulgarian I was very happy to watch it. Love and regards from Bulgaria!

AS I understand, Bulgaria went hearty in WW1 and lost a LOT of their population, and so weren't too keen on fighting again. Seems to me it wouldn't been in Tsar-mans interests to go just all in.

"Things ended pretty poorly for Bulgaria" Yeah that sums up 20th century Bulgaria

Can you do one about Greece in WWI or WWII?

Interesting fact: Bulgaria's army DIDN'T participate in any fighting while being part of the Axis. Her troops were only sent for occupation of the territories Germany had transferred to her. However, after the communist coup and Soviet invasion of 1944 Bulgaria was occupied by the USSR. After that Bulgarian forces were sent West and took part in some battles, including the one near the Drava River in Yugoslavia in which the Bulgarians managed to push back the attacking Germans and secure the back of one of the Soviet armies

At least they kept Southern Dobruja

I always look forward to your uploads

Another class video,your videos are excellent keep it up🙂👍🏻

Loving these recent videos about the other nations of WWII, you should do Manchukou next

2:04 I love the fact Mussolini wears that hat

Love your videos, love the drawings and your sense of humor!

Very well done ,nice job about the details

Sterling Archer wants you to explain why Ireland was an Axis power.

Literally everyone: Bulgaria just join a side Bulgaria: No I don't think I will Hitler: I'm gonna cross my troops over you to reach Greece Bulgaria: -my- Greece's time has come

I love your videos, I'd love them more if you'd go in deeper sometimes, maybe longer videos? But for sure you do sooo great love it.

I love your channel keep up the great stuff!!!!!!!

That moment when you realize that Bulgaria was Germany’s best ally in both world wars

Thank you for making a video about my country

Well done!!

1:43 minor complaint, the border of Lithuania and USSR should be different, because the USSR gave Vilnius back in 1939 from the Poles

King Boris III (Fun fact Boris is a original Bulgarian name) served as a staff officer under Mackensen during ww1 in the conquest of Romania, where they fought the Russians too. In ww1 Bulgaria fought French, Greek, Yugoslavian, English and colonial troops on the Macedonian front and was highly valued by the Germans as an actual fighting ally.... unlike all the other Axis countries. Bulgaria was seen as a reliable Balkan defense and actually wasn't allowed certain offensive actions like attacking Turkey. Also all the territories Bulgaria tried to get(get back that is for the most part) were predominantly settled with ethnic Bulgarians... before all the cleansing Greeks and Serbs did there in the 1930s that is. So after ww1, which is dubbed "Second national catastrophe" in Bulgaria, Bulgaria(and Boris III) was not keen on a new war. Economy was doing rather well at the time and things were going upwards up to 1939, but German troops were at the border anyway so there wasn't too much choice. The actual reason Boris III didn't want to attack the USSR was because he was not stupid. The excuse that Bulgarians wouldn't fight Russians because of the liberation debt is half true, but also half propaganda. Also a notable fact is that Boris III died in 1943 likely from poisoning right after returning from Germany, from a meeting with Hitler.

Well researched and true. Well done!

As someone who watches a lot of history videos I love your videos the most

In 1943 tsar Boris III visited Germany. Soon after his return, he misteriously died. His 6 year old son was declared tsar uder the regnal name Simeon II. Although he was deposed in 1946 by the communists, he returned after the Cold War and served as prime minister between 2001 and 2005. Currently he is the last surviving head of state of a country which participated in World War II.

Bulgaria also had 2 empires and 2 golden ages by which its culture spread all over Eastern Europe+ Russia and in a way formed Russian culture and language today.Though even Russians do not know this...

i love the detailed borders!

2:00 I absolutely love how he makes these.

2:32 I want that hat Please do merch with that hat It's the ULTIMATE GRAND FEDORA

As a Bulgarian, I can confirm this is true! Also the King Boris the third was the last good Tsar that we had. He died mysteriously 4 days after meeting with Hitler at the "Wolf's Lair" probably poisoned.

Great vid history accurate

There is always more to the story, and thankfully this channel exists to tell it.

Im from Bulgaria! Thanks for the video!

the past is the past, the future is the future. love from Greece to Bulgaria

Germans: here's these lands that we've already conquered, come join us Bulgaria: Oh okay cool Germans: please give up these territories that make up a huge % of your country, then come join us Romania: Oh okay cool

Thanks again. 😃👍🔥

Such a small nation but with very interesting history.

Please do more Bulgaria video

Excellent!

I play hoi4 and want to know why they always join the axis

The German you used to represent "first" and "second" is wrong. It should be "Erstens" and "Zweitens", not "Erste" and "Zweite".

I dont know if its true or urban legend, but it said that when Hitler asked Boris to send troop agains Soviet Union, Boris III said: "If i send my army agains the Russians, they will join them with songs and dances" :D

Bulgaria: So, can we have some land back? Stalin: How bout some troops occupy your country?

Bulgaria was stuck between a rock and and a hard place. They tired to walk in the middle. They tried to stay neutral. And in the end. The Red Army still swept into their country and became a satellite state to the USSR.

Why did Germany joined The Axis?

0:00 South Sakhalin is missing from Japan

best history channel

I learned something new in this video: Bulgaria never contributed to the russian war (the most important war of all sides and angles). Its not like it wouldve made much of a difference, with the dominace of the russian divisions. But that just surprises me, knowing all the gross abuses the soviets later did to the romanians, hungarians, probably bulgarians too, east germans and polish. Everything i think i know everything on a given topic video on this channel i learn something new.

Bulgaria really didn't have much of choice.

Why do I feel like there's gonna be a "why did Hungary join the axis video?"

What about why Hugary joined the axis?

2:02 personal space dude!

2:15 ideal map

“In order to end yugoslavia cuz why not“ That had me laughing😂😂

2:25 XD 👌👌👌🇧🇬

Thank you for covering my country

Narrator: “Boris the Third aka Boris the Animal” Boris: “It’s just Boris!”

I asked about the Bulgarian participation during Second World War; now I have that question answered. Please talk about the Chinese Revolution and their Civil War, the indepence of Latin America and about the Cold War Crisis, like Berlin, Missile Crisis and The Soviet Invasion to Afghanistan. Gratings from Mexico.

Yo, finally and for the first time I could hear what was the role of Bulgaria in WW2!

Can you cover Thailand in this series too please?

As a bulgarian, i say that you have outdone yourself in this video!!

0:35 “the pro-Boris faction of the government was victorious”... sounds familiar

Axis: join us Bulgaria, you'll gain new territory and prestige while all we ask is that you be very militarily aggressive and do some, ehem, cleansing. Bulgaria: that sounds like a plan that would go well at first but ultimately blow up in our faces 5 years from now, and is just ethically fucked up, so no. Axis: please Bulgaria: no Axis: please Bulgaria: no Axis: Pleeeeeeease! Bulgaria: fine, jeez. WWII ends. Bulgaria: -__-

But nevertheless they're the only axis country to gain territory. They eventually kept the Southern Dobruja

Me: Bulgaria you were a member of the axis so you fought the Soviets right? Bulgaria: well yes, but actually no

Can you make a video about neutral countries of Europe during WW II?