Comments | iberia: Annus Mirablis

iberia

Annus Mirablis

Jan 03, 2007 11:04

Yes, it is a bit late to post a review of 2006 here. My apologies. I have no excuses. I do, however, feel that perhaps I should give some sort of update on my life for the many people here who have not been kept abreast of developments. So here is a belated overview of the past year, my annus mirablisThe Master's Degree program is nearing its ( Read more... )

everyday life

Comments 8

ltmurnau January 3 2007, 20:06:05 UTC

A good year for you indeed!
I cannot recall what exactly it was or is that you intend to study about Bulgaria's past.
???

Can you tell me anything about the military status of Bulgaria and what Soviet troops were there in 1948? My new game has them invading along with the Red Army to spank Tito (and grab Macedonia once and for all). Utter nonsense I know but it's alt-hist, and I need some numbers to guess at, for a beginning....

iberia January 4 2007, 03:18:02 UTC

Actually my period of research in Bulgarian history is the Communist period, 1944-89 ( ... )

ltmurnau January 4 2007, 18:28:57 UTC

Yes, I looked it up and there were not Soviet units in Bulgaria after the peace treaty was signed. Different story for Hungary and Romania, of course.

One thing I'm looking into right now is Tito's break with Stalin in 1948, and what happened or could have happened in the following years until Stalin's death. Tito had ideas to create a "Balkan Federation", Stalin wanted Tito's head on a stick, etc. and so forth. Interesting topic and an illustration of how doing research on a seemingly silly idea (a pre-Warsaw Pact combined invasion of Yugoslavia) cna lead you to some serious thoughts.

Anyway, what would be your estimate of Bulgaria's willingness to come along for the ride (militarily) on a Tito-spanking expedition in the period 1948-51, with probably Macedonia as party loot?

iberia January 4 2007, 23:08:46 UTC

I think Bulgaria's involvement is a toss-up...it could go either way. I would suspect that the Bulgarian party leadership would have seen itself as eager to please Stalin, but a case can be made for Bulgaria not being invovled. The party leadership, in Stalin's eyes, had been greatly comprimised by it's support of a Yugoslav-led Balkan federation in 1947, this was the main reason for the pruges that took place from 1948-51 in Bulgarian party and led to the execution of Traicho Kostov and the suspected murder of Georgii Dimitrov. While the idea of Macedonian spoils is feasible, it also should be regarded with caution given the fact that the Tito-Stalin split was really more of an internal party affair...I would suspect that the Soviet Union's war aims would be removal of Tito and his supporters within the Yugoslav government and the installation of the Yugoslav "government-in-exile"...I don't know if a substantial territorial revision would be in the offering...though a partition of Macedonia might be offered as something to entice a ( ... )

Thread 5

poegrl January 3 2007, 20:08:26 UTC

I'm so happy for you darlin' All that time of moping, gloom face and see! told you everything would work out for you. You've always been too damned stuborn not to have good things eventually happen. I'm so proud of you!!!
No worries about New Years I could tell you where enjoying yourself. :)

metalchef January 3 2007, 22:22:18 UTC

Full steam ahead!

I remember when you were worried that all was failing! You hung in there and put 100% in..and look where you are.

Keep on bro!

btrain96 January 6 2007, 18:48:09 UTC

Glad to hear you are doing well. You deserve it. I am looking forward to hearing how your Ph.D. stuff works out. Hopefully you will get into Illinois. Hopw all work out for you with Megan. Drop us a line next time you are in the area.