History Macedonia_(region)

1 history

1.1 neolithic
1.2 middle neolithic
1.3 late neolithic
1.4 ancient macedonia (500 146 bce)
1.5 roman macedonia
1.6 medieval macedonia
1.7 birth of nationalism , of macedonian identities
1.8 macedonia in balkan wars, world war , ii

1.8.1 balkan wars
1.8.2 world war i
1.8.3 world war ii
1.8.4 post–world war ii

history

early neolithic

while macedonia shows signs of human habitation old paleolithic period (among petralona cave oldest european humanoid), earliest known settlements, such nea nikomedeia in imathia (today s greek macedonia), date 9,000 years. houses @ nea nikomedeia constructed—as structures throughout neolithic in northern greece—of wattle , daub on timber frame. cultural assemblage includes well-made pottery in simple shapes occasional decoration in white on red background, clay female figurines of rod-headed type known thessaly danube valley, stone axes , adzes, chert blades, , ornaments of stone including curious nose plugs of uncertain function. assemblage of associated objects differs 1 house next, suggesting degree of craft specialisation had been established beginning of site s history. farming economy based on cultivation of cereal crops such wheat , barley , pulses , on herding of sheep , goats, cattle , pigs. hunting played relatively minor role in economy. surviving 7000 5500 bce, neolithic settlement occupied on thousand years.

middle neolithic

the middle neolithic period (c. 5500 4500 bce) @ present best represented @ servia in haliacmon valley in western macedonia, typical red-on-cream pottery in sesklo style emphasises settlement s southern orientation. pottery of date has been found @ number of sites in central , eastern macedonia far none has been extensively excavated.

late neolithic

linguistic zones in macedonia @ end of 3rd millennium bce, according georgiev, map 2 introduction indo-european languages

the late neolithic period (c. 4500 3500 bce) represented both excavated , unexcavated sites throughout region (though should noted in eastern macedonia levels of period still called middle neolithic according terminology used in balkans). rapid changes in pottery styles, , discovery of fragments of pottery showing trade quite distant regions, indicate society, economy , technology changing rapidly. among important of these changes start of copper working, convincingly demonstrated renfrew have been learnt cultural groups of bulgaria , roumania north. principal excavated settlements of period include makryialos , paliambela near western shore of thermaic gulf, thermi south of thessaloniki , sitagroi , dikili tas in drama plain. of these sites densely occupied , formed large mounds (known local inhabitants of region today toumbas ). others less densely occupied , spread as kilometer (makryialos). both types found @ same time in same districts , presumed differences in social organisation reflected these differences in settlement organisation. communities concerned protect different kinds of defensive arrangements: ditches @ makryialos , concentric walls @ paliambela. best preserved buildings discovered @ dikili tas, long timber-framed structures had been organised in rows , had been decorated bulls skulls fastened outside of walls , plastered on clay.

remarkable evidence cult activity has been found @ promachonas-topolnica, straddles greek bulgarian border north of serres. here deep pit appeared have been roofed make subterranean room; in successive layers of debris including large numbers of figurines, bulls skulls, , pottery, including several rare , unusual shapes.

the farming economy of period continued practices established @ beginning of neolithic, although sheep , goats less dominant among animals had been, , cultivation of vines (vitis vinifera) attested.

only few burials have been discovered whole of neolithic period in northern greece , no clear pattern can deduced. grave offerings, however, seem have been limited.

ancient macedonia (500 146 bce)


expansion of macedon kingdom

in classical times, region of macedonia comprised parts of @ time known macedonia, illyria , thrace. among others, in lands located kingdoms of paeonia, dardania, macedonia , pelagonia, historical tribes agrianes, , colonies of southern greek city states. prior macedonian ascendancy, parts of southern macedonia populated bryges, while western, (i. e., upper) macedonia, inhabited macedonian , illyrian tribes. whilst numerous wars later recorded between illyrian , macedonian kingdoms, bryges might have co-existed peacefully macedonians. in time of classical greece, paionia, exact boundaries obscure, included whole axius river valley , surrounding areas, in northern part of greek region of macedonia, of republic of macedonia, , small part of western bulgaria. 500 bce, ancient kingdom of macedon centered somewhere between southern slopes of lower olympus , lowest reach of haliakmon river. since 512/511 bce, , through persian wars, kingdom of macedonia subject persians, after battle of plataia regained independence. under philip ii , alexander great, kingdom of macedonia forcefully expanded, placing whole of region of macedonia under rule. alexander s conquests produced lasting extension of hellenistic culture , thought across ancient near east, empire broke on death. generals divided empire between them, founding own states , dynasties. kingdom of macedon taken cassander, ruled until death in 297 bc. @ time, macedonian control on thracoillyrian states of region waned, although kingdom of macedonia remained potent regional power. period saw several celtic invasions macedonia. however, celts each time repelled cassander, , later antigonus, leaving little overall influence on region.

roman macedonia


early roman macedonia (illustrated here encompassing paeonia & south illyria) , environs, droysens historical atlas, 1886



the late roman diocese of macedonia, including provinces of macedonia prima, macedonia secunda or salutaris (periodically abolished), thessalia, epirus vetus, epirus nova, achaea, , crete.

macedonian sovereignty in region brought end @ hands of rising power of rome in 2nd century bc. philip v of macedon took kingdom war against romans in 2 wars during reign (221-179 bc). first macedonian war (215-205 bc) successful macedonians philip decisively defeated in second macedonian war in (200-197 bc). although survived war rome, successor perseus of macedon (reigned 179-168 bc) did not; having taken macedon third macedonian war in (171-168 bc), lost kingdom when defeated. macedonia divided 4 republics subject rome before being annexed in 146 bc roman province. around time, vulgar latin introduced in balkans latin-speaking colonists , military personnel.

with division of roman empire west , east in 298 ad, macedonia came under rule of rome s byzantine successors. population of entire region was, however, depleted destructive invasions of various gothic , hun tribes c. 300 – 5th century ad. despite this, other parts of byzantine empire continued flourish, in particular coastal cities such thessaloniki became important trade , cultural centres. despite empire s power, beginning of 6th century byzantine dominions subject frequent raids various slavic tribes which, in course of centuries, resulted in drastic demographic , cultural changes in empire s balkan provinces. although traditional scholarship attributes these changes large-scale colonizations slavic-speaking groups, has been proposed generalized dissipation of roman identity might have commenced in 3rd century, among rural provincials crippled harsh taxation , famines. given background, penetrations carried successive waves of relatively small numbers of slavic warriors , families might have been capable of assimilating large numbers of indigenes cultural model, seen more attractive alternative. in way , in course of time, great parts of macedonia came controlled slavic-speaking communities. despite numerous attacks on thessaloniki, city held out, , byzantine-roman culture continued flourish, although slavic cultural influence steadily increased.

the slavic settlements organized along tribal , territorially based lines referred byzantine greek historians sklaviniai . sklaviniai continued intermittently assault byzantine empire, either independently, or aided bulgar or avar contingents. around 680 ad bulgar group (which largely composed of descendants of former roman christians taken captive avars), led khan kuber (theorized have belonged same clan danubian bulgarian khan asparukh), settled in pelagonian plain, , launched campaigns region of thessaloniki. when empire spare imperial troops, attempted regain control of lost balkan territories. time of constans ii significant number of slavs of macedonia captured , transferred central asia minor forced recognize authority of byzantine emperor , serve in ranks. in late 7th century, justinian ii again organized massive expedition against sklaviniai , bulgars of macedonia. launching constantinople, subdued many slavic tribes , established theme of thrace in hinterland of great city, , pushed on thessaloniki. however, on return ambushed slavo-bulgars of kuber, losing great part of army, booty, , subsequently throne. despite these temporary successes, rule in region far stable since not of sklaviniae pacified, , rebelled. emperors rather resorted withdrawing defensive line south along aegean coast, until late 8th century. although new theme—that of macedonia —was subsequently created, did not correspond today s geographic territory, 1 farther east (centred on adrianople), carved out of existing thracian , helladic themes.

medieval macedonia

there no byzantine records of sklaviniai after 836/837 absorbed expanding first bulgarian empire. slavic influence in region strengthened along rise of state, incorporated parts of region domain in 837. in 860s saints cyril , methodius, 2 byzantine greek brothers thessaloniki, created first slavic glagolitic alphabet in old church slavonic language first transcribed, , commonly referred apostles of slavic world. cultural heritage acquired , developed in medieval bulgaria, after 885 region of ohrid (present-day republic of macedonia) became significant ecclesiastical center nomination of saint clement of ohrid first archbishop in bulgarian language residence in region. in conjunction disciple of saints cyril , methodius, saint naum, clement created flourishing slavic cultural center around ohrid, pupils taught theology in old church slavonic language , glagolitic , cyrillic script @ called ohrid literary school. bulgarian-byzantine boundary in beginning of 10th century passed approximately 20 km (12 mi) north of thessaloniki according inscription of narash. according byzantine author john kaminiates, @ time neighbouring settlements around thessaloniki inhabited scythians (bulgarians) , slavic tribes of drugubites , sagudates, in addition greeks.

at end of 10th century, republic of macedonia became political , cultural heartland of first bulgarian empire, after byzantine emperors john tzimiskes conquered eastern part of bulgarian state during rus –byzantine war of 970–971. bulgarian capital preslav , bulgarian tsar boris ii captured, , deposition of bulgarian regalia in hagia sophia, bulgaria officially annexed byzantium. new capital established @ ohrid, became seat of bulgarian patriarchate. new dynasty, of comitopuli under tsar samuil , successors, continued resistance against byzantines several more decades, before succumbing in 1018. western part of bulgaria including macedonia incorporated byzantine empire province of bulgaria (theme of bulgaria) , bulgarian patriarchate reduced in rank archbishopric.

intermittent slavic uprisings continued occur, support of serbian princedoms north. temporary independence might have been gained crushed swiftly byzantines. marked periods of war between normans , byzantium. normans launched offensives lands acquired in southern italy, , temporarily gained rule on small areas in northwestern coast.

from 12th century, parts of macedonia conquered serbian kingdom of raška. in 13th century, following fourth crusade, macedonia disputed among byzantine greeks, latin crusaders of short-lived kingdom of thessalonica, , revived bulgarian state. of southern macedonia secured despotate of epirus , empire of nicaea, while north ruled bulgaria. after 1261 however, of macedonia returned byzantine rule, largely remained until byzantine civil war of 1341–1347. taking advantage of conflict, serb ruler stefan dushan expanded realm , founded serbian empire, included of macedonia, northern , central greece – excluding thessaloniki, athens , peloponnese. dushan s empire broke shortly after death in 1355. after death rulers of macedonia vukašin mrnjavčević , son marko mrnjavčević.

at time, ottoman threat looming in balkans, ottomans defeated various christian principalities, whether serb, bulgarian or greek. after ottoman victory in battle of maritsa in 1371, of macedonia accepted vassalage ottomans , end of 14th century ottoman empire annexed it. macedonia remained part of ottoman empire 500 years, during time gained substantial turkish minority. thessaloniki later become home of large sephardi jewish population following expulsions of jews after 1492 spain.

the birth of nationalism , of macedonian identities

ethnic composition map of balkans french ethnographer guillaume lejean (1861)

over centuries macedonia had become multicultural region. historical references mention greeks, bulgarians, turks, albanians, gypsies, jews , vlachs. claimed macédoine, fruit or vegetable salad, named after area s mixed population, witnessed @ end of 19th century. middle ages 20th century slav-speaking population in macedonia identified bulgarian or greek , serbian.

ethnic map of balkan peninsula 1877, french cartographer a. synvet. considered pro-greek later historians.

during period of bulgarian national revival many bulgarians these regions supported struggle creation of bulgarian cultural educational , religious institutions, including bulgarian exarchate. eventually, in 20th century, bulgarians came understood synonymous macedonian slavs and, eventually, ethnic macedonians . krste misirkov, philologist , publicist, known work on macedonian matters (1903), heralded macedonians 1 of founders of macedonian nation , stated:

some ask why speak of breaking away bulgarians when in past have called ourselves bulgarians , when accepted unification creates strength, , not separation. and, anyway, sort of new macedonian nation can when , our fathers , grandfathers , great-grandfathers have been called bulgarians?

after revival of greek, serbian, , bulgarian statehood in 19th century, ottoman lands in europe became identified macedonia , contested 3 governments, leading creation in 1890s , 1900s of rival armed groups divided efforts between fighting turks , 1 another. important of these bulgarian macedonian-adrianople revolutionary committee (bmarc, smaro 1902) (an alternative version says consisted of macedonian revolutionary organization (mro, tmoro 1902), under gotse delchev in 1903 rebelled in so-called ilinden-preobrazhenie uprising, fighting autonomous or independent macedonian state (before 1902 bulgarians join, afterward, invited macedonian or odrinian, irrespective of nationality, join ), , greek efforts 1904 until 1908 (greek struggle macedonia). diplomatic intervention european powers led plans autonomous macedonia under ottoman rule.

evolution of territory of greece. macedonia shown greek province.

the restricted borders of modern greek state @ inception in 1830 disappointed inhabitants of northern greece (epirus , macedonia). addressing these concerns in 1844, greek prime minister kolettis addressed constitutional assembly in athens kingdom of greece not greece; part, smallest , poorest, of greece. greek not inhabits kingdom, lives in ioannina, or thessaloniki, or serres, or odrin . mentions cities , islands under ottoman possession composing great idea (greek: Μεγάλη Ιδέα, megáli idéa) meant reconstruction of classical greek world or revival of byzantine empire. important idea here greece, macedonia region large greek populations expecting annexation new greek state. @ time, region today known republic of macedonia part of kosovo vilayet.

map of region contested serbia , bulgaria , subject arbitration of russian tsar

the 1878 congress of berlin changed balkan map again. treaty restored macedonia , thrace ottoman empire. serbia, romania , montenegro granted full independence, , territorial expansion @ expense of ottoman empire. russia maintain military advisors in bulgaria , eastern rumelia until may 1879. austria-hungary permitted occupy bosnia, herzegovina , sanjak of novi pazar. congress of berlin forced bulgaria, newly given autonomy 1878 treaty of san stefano, return on half of newly gained territory ottoman empire. included macedonia, large part of given bulgaria, due russian pressure , presence of significant numbers of bulgarians , adherents bulgarian exarchate. territorial losses dissatisfied bulgaria; fuelled ambitions of many bulgarian politicians following seventy years, wanted review treaty – peaceful or military means , reunite lands claimed had bulgarian majority. besides, serbia interested in macedonian lands, until greece bulgaria s main contender, after addition of thessaly greece in (1881) bordering macedonia. thus, berlin congress renewed struggle turkey in europe, including so-called macedonia region, rather setting permanent regime. in following years, of neighboring states struggled on turkey in europe; kept @ bay own restraints, ottoman army , territorial ambitions of great powers in region.

serbian policy had distinct anti-bulgarian flavor, attempting prevent bulgarian influencing inhabitants of macedonia. on other hand, bulgaria using power of religious institutions (bulgarian exarchate established in 1870) promote language , make more people identify bulgaria. greece, in addition, in advantageous position protecting interests through influence of patriarchate of constantinople traditionally sponsored greek-language , greek-culture schools in villages few greeks. put patriarchate in dispute exarchate, established schools bulgarian education. indeed, belonging 1 or institution define person s national identity. simply, if person supported patriarchate regarded greek, whereas if supported exarchate regarded bulgarian. locally, however, villagers not able express freely association 1 or other institution there numerous armed groups trying defend and/or expand territory of each. locally recruited , self-organized while others sent , armed protecting states.

the aim of adversaries, however, not extend influence on macedonia merely prevent macedonia succumbing influence of other. violent attempt persuade people belonged 1 ethnic group or pushed people reject both. severe pressure on peaceful peasants of macedonia worked against plans of serbians , bulgarians make them adopt ethnic idea , social divide became apparent. british ambassador in belgrade in 1927 said: @ present unfortunate macedonian peasant between hammer , anvil. 1 day comitadjis come house , demand under threat lodging, food , money , next day gendarm hales him off prison having given them; macedonian peaceable, industrious agriculturist , if (serbian) government give him adequate protection, education, freedom malaria , decent communications, there seems no reason why should not become serbian in sentiment bulgarian 10 years ago . result of game of tug-of-war, development of distinct macedonian national identity impeded , delayed. moreover, when imperialistic plans of surrounding states made possible division of macedonia, macedonian intellectuals such misirkov mentioned necessity of creating macedonian national identity distinguish macedonian slavs bulgarians, serbians or greeks.

ethnic composition of balkans according atlas général vidal-lablanche, paris 1890–1894. henry robert wilkinson stated ethnic map, ethnic maps of time, contained pro-bulgarian ethnographic view of macedonia.



the nationalities of southeastern europe in late 19th century represented in pallas nagy lexikona, 1893–1900:

baptizing macedonian slavs serbian or bulgarian aimed therefore justify these countries territorial claims on macedonia. greek side, assistance of patriarchate responsible schools, more maintain control, because spreading greek identity. same reason bulgarians, when preparing exarchate s government (1871) included macedonians in assembly brothers prevent ethnic diversification. on other hand, serbs, unable establish serbian-speaking schools, used propaganda. main concern prevent slavic-speaking macedonians acquiring bulgarian identity through concentrating on myth of ancient origins of macedonians , simultaneously classification of bulgarians tatars , not slavs, emphasizing macedonian characteristics intermediate stage between serbs , bulgarians. sum serbian propaganda attempted inspire macedonians separate ethnic identity diminish bulgarian influence. choice macedonian ethnicity . bulgarians never accepted ethnic diversity slav macedonians, giving geographic meaning term. in 1893 established internal macedonian revolutionary organization (vmro) aiming confront serbian , greek action in macedonia. vmro hoped answer macedonian question through revolutionary movement, , instigated ilinden uprising (1903) release ottoman territory. bulgaria used internationalize macedonian question. ilinden changed greece s stance decided take para-military action. in order protect greek macedonians , greek interests, greece sent officers train guerrillas , organize militias (macedonian struggle), known makedonomahi (macedonian fighters), fight bulgarians. after obvious macedonian question answered war.

boundaries on balkans after first , second balkan war (1912–1913)

the rise of albanian , turkish nationalism after 1908, however, prompted greece, serbia , bulgaria bury differences regard macedonia , form joint coalition against ottoman empire in 1912. disregarding public opinion in bulgaria, in support of establishment of autonomous macedonian province under christian governor, bulgarian government entered pre-war treaty serbia divided region 2 parts. part of macedonia west , north of line of partition contested both serbia , bulgaria , subject arbitration of russian tsar after war. serbia formally renounced claims part of macedonia south , east of line, declared within bulgarian sphere of interest. pre-treaty between greece , bulgaria, however, did not include agreement on division of conquered territories – evidently both countries hoped occupy territory possible having sights set on thessaloniki.

in first balkan war, bulgaria, serbia, greece , montenegro occupied ottoman-held territories in europe. bulgaria bore brunt of war fighting on thracian front against main ottoman forces. both war expenditures , casualties in first balkan war higher of serbia, greece , montenegro combined. macedonia occupied greek, serbian , bulgarian forces. ottoman empire in treaty of london in may 1913 assigned whole of macedonia balkan league, without, specifying division of region, promote problems between allies. dissatisfied creation of autonomous albanian state, denied access adriatic, serbia asked suspension of pre-war division treaty , demanded bulgaria greater territorial concessions in macedonia. later in may same year, greece , serbia signed secret treaty in thessaloniki stipulating division of macedonia according existing lines of control. both serbia , greece, bulgaria, started prepare final war of partition.

macedonia s division in 1913

in june 1913, bulgarian tsar ferdinand, without consulting government, , without declaration of war, ordered bulgarian troops attack greek , serbian troops in macedonia, initiating second balkan war. bulgarian army in full retreat in fronts. serbian army chose stop operations when achieved territorial goals , bulgarian army took breath. during last 2 days bulgarians managed achieve defensive victory against advancing greek army in kresna gorge. @ same time romanian army crossed undefended northern border , advanced towards sofia. romania interfered in war, in order satisfy territorial claims against bulgaria. ottoman empire interfered, reassuming control of eastern thrace edirne. second balkan war, known inter-ally war, left bulgaria struma valley , small part of thrace minor ports @ aegean sea. vardar macedonia incorporated serbia , thereafter referred south serbia. southern (aegean) macedonia incorporated greece , thereafter referred northern greece. region suffered heavily during second balkan war. during advance @ end of june, greek army set fire bulgarian quarter of town of kilkis , on 160 villages around kilkis , serres driving 50,000 refugees bulgaria proper. bulgarian army retaliated burning greek quarter of serres , arming muslims region of drama led massacre of greek civilians.

in september 1915, greek government authorized landing of troops in thessaloniki. in 1916 pro-german king of greece agreed germans allow military forces of central powers enter greek macedonia attack bulgarian forces in thessaloniki. result, bulgarian troops occupied eastern part of greek macedonia, including port of kavala. region was, however, restored greece following victory of allies in 1918. after destruction of greek army in asia minor in 1922 greece , turkey exchanged of macedonia s turkish minority , greek inhabitants of thrace , anatolia, result of aegean macedonia experienced large addition population , became overwhelmingly greek in ethnic composition. serbian-ruled macedonia incorporated kingdom of serbs, croats , slovenes (later kingdom of yugoslavia) in 1918. yugoslav macedonia subsequently subjected intense process of serbianization during 1920s , 1930s.

during world war ii boundaries of region shifted yet again. when german forces occupied area, of yugoslav macedonia , part of aegean macedonia transferred administration bulgaria. during bulgarian administration of eastern greek macedonia, 100,000 bulgarian refugees region resettled there , perhaps many greeks deported or fled other parts of greece. western aegean macedonia occupied italy, western parts of yugoslav macedonia being annexed italian-occupied albania. remainder of greek macedonia (including of coast) occupied nazi germany. 1 of worst episodes of holocaust happened here when 60,000 jews thessaloniki deported extermination camps in occupied poland. few thousand survived.

macedonia liberated in 1944, when red army s advance in balkan peninsula forced german forces retreat. pre-war borders restored under u.s. , british pressure because bulgarian government insisting keep military units on greek soil. bulgarian macedonia returned rapidly normality, bulgarian patriots in yugoslav macedonia underwent process of ethnic cleansing belgrade authorities, , greek macedonia ravaged greek civil war, broke out in december 1944 , did not end until october 1949.

after civil war, large number of former elas fighters took refuge in communist bulgaria , yugoslavia , described ethnic macedonians prohibited reestablishing former estates greek authorities. of them accused in greece crimes committed during period of german occupation.

macedonia in balkan wars, world war , ii
the balkan wars

the imminent collapse of ottoman empire welcomed balkan states, promised restore european territory. young turk revolution of 1908 proved nationalistic movement thwarting peoples expectations of empire s modernization , hastened end of ottoman occupation of balkans. end, alliance struck among balkan states in spring 1913. first balkan war, lasted 6 weeks, commenced in august 1912, when montenegro declared war on ottoman empire, forces engaged 4 different wars in thrace, macedonia, northern , southern albania , kosovo. macedonian campaign fought in atrocious conditions. retreat of ottoman army macedonia succeeded desperate effort of greek , bulgarian forces reach city of thessalonica, single prize of first balkan war status no prior agreements done. in case possession equal acquisition. greek forces entered city first liberating officially, progress positive them. glenny says: greeks war .

the first balkan war managed liberate balkans turks , settled major issues except macedonia. in spring 1913 serbs , greeks begun serbianization , hellenization of parts in macedonia controlled, while bulgarians faced difficulties against jews , turkish populations. moreover, possession of thessalonica living dream bulgarians preparing new war. this, bulgarian troops had secret order in june 1913 launch surprise attacks on serbs. greece , serbia signed previous bilateral defensive agreement (may 1913). consequently, bulgaria decided attack greece , serbia. after initial gains bulgarians forced retreat bulgaria proper , lose of land had conquered during first war.

the treaty of bucharest (august 1913) took off of bulgarian conquests of previous years. large part of macedonia became southern serbia, including territory of today republic of macedonia , aegean macedonia became northern greece. greece doubled territory , population size , northern frontiers remain today, more or less same since balkan wars. however, when serbia acquired vardarska banovina (the present-day republic of macedonia), launched having expansionist views aiming descend aegean, thessalonica highest ambition. however, greece after population exchange bulgaria, after victory in balkan wars, managed give national homogeneity in aegean , remaining slavic-speakers absorbed.

many volunteers macedonia joined bulgarian army , participated in battles against bulgarian enemies in these wars—on strength of macedonian-adrianopolitan volunteer corps , other units.

world war i

after world war macedonian campaign status quo of macedonia remained same. establishment of kingdom of serbians, croats , slovenes in 1918, in 1929 renamed yugoslavia (south slavia) predicted no special regime skopje neither recognized macedonian national identity. in fact, claims macedonian identity remained silent @ propaganda level because, eventually, north macedonia had been serbian conquest.

the situation in serbian macedonia changed after communist revolution in russia (1918–1919). according sfetas, comintern handling macedonia matter of tactics, depending on political circumstances. in 1920s supported position single , independent macedonia in balkan soviet democracy. actually, soviets desired common front of bulgarian communist agriculturists , bulgarian-macedonian societies destabilize balkan peninsula. internal macedonian revolutionary organization (imro), under protection of comintern, promoted idea of independent macedonia in federation of balkan states, unifying macedonians. however, possible participation of bulgaria in new war, on axis side, ended soviet support years later.

world war ii

bulgaria joined axis powers in 1941, when german troops prepared invade greece romania reached bulgarian borders , demanded permission pass through bulgarian territory. threatened direct military confrontation, tsar boris iii had no choice join fascist block, officially happened on 1 march 1941. there little popular opposition, since soviet union in non-aggression pact germany.

on 6 april 1941, despite having officially joined axis powers, bulgarian government maintained course of military passivity during initial stages of invasion of yugoslavia , battle of greece. german, italian, , hungarian troops crushed yugoslavia , greece, bulgarians remained on sidelines. yugoslav government surrendered on 17 april. greek government hold out until 30 april. on 20 april, period of bulgarian passivity ended. bulgarian army entered aegean region. goal gain aegean sea outlet in thrace , eastern macedonia , of eastern serbia. so-called vardar banovina divided between bulgaria , italians occupied west macedonia. bulgarian occupation of macedonia viewed oppressive inhabitants of region, further distancing previous affiliations between macedonian , bulgarians.

during german occupation of greece (1941–1944) greek communist party-kke main resistance factor military branch eam-elas (national liberation front). although many members of eam slavic-speaking, had either bulgarian, greek or distinct macedonian conscience. take advantage of situation kke established snof cooperation of yugoslav leader tito, ambitious enough make plans greek macedonia. established anti-fascistic assembly national liberation of macedonia (asnom) giving actual liberating character whole region of macedonia. besides, kke positive option of greater macedonia, including greek region, since realized victory in greek civil war utopic. later eam , snof disagreed in issues of policy , crashed , latter expelled greece (1944).

post–world war ii

the end of war did not bring peace greece , strenuous civil war between government forces , eam broke out 50,000 casualties both sides. defeat of communists in 1949 forced slav-speaking members either leave greece or adopt greek language , surnames. slav minorities discriminated against, , not recognised minority. since 1923 internationally recognized minority in greece muslims in western thrace.

yugoslav macedonia region yugoslav communist leader josip broz tito had not developed partisan movement because of bulgarian occupation of large part of area. improve situation, in 1943 communist party of macedonia established in tetovo prospect support resistance against axis. in meantime, bulgarians violent repression led loss of moral support civilian population. end of war macedonia national consciousness hardly existed beyond general conviction, gained bitter experience, rule sofia unpalatable belgrade. if there no macedonian nation there communist party of macedonia, around people s republic of macedonia built .

tito separated yugoslav macedonia serbia after war. became republic of new federal yugoslavia (as socialist republic of macedonia) in 1946, capital @ skopje. tito promoted concept of separate macedonian nation, means of severing ties of slav population of yugoslav macedonia bulgaria. although macedonian language close bulgarian, differences deliberately emphasized , region s historical figures promoted being uniquely macedonian (rather serbian or bulgarian). separate macedonian orthodox church established, splitting off serbian orthodox church, has not been recognized other orthodox church, including ecumenical patriarchate of constantinople. communist party sought deter pro-bulgarian sentiment, punished severely; convictions still being handed down late 1991.

tito had number of reasons doing this. first, ethnic croat, wanted reduce serbia s dominance in yugoslavia; establishing territory formerly considered serbian equal serbia within yugoslavia achieved effect. secondly, wanted sever ties of macedonian slav population bulgaria because recognition of population bulgarian have undermined unity of yugoslav federation. third of all, tito sought justify future yugoslav claims towards rest of macedonia (pirin , aegean), in name of liberation of region. potential macedonian state remain constituent republic within yugoslavia, , yugoslavia manage access aegean sea.

tito s designs on macedonia asserted august 1944, when in proclamation claimed goal reunify parts of macedonia, divided in 1912 , 1913 balkan imperialists . end, opened negotiations bulgaria new federal state, have included albania, , supported greek communists in greek civil war. idea of reunification of of macedonia under communist rule abandoned late 1949 when greek communists lost , tito fell out soviet union , pro-soviet bulgaria.

across border in greece, slavophones seen potentially disloyal fifth column within greek state both , greece, , existence minority officially denied. greeks resettled in region many of whom emigrated (especially australia) along many greek-speaking natives, because of hard economic conditions after second world war , greek civil war. although there liberalization between 1959 , 1967, greek military dictatorship re-imposed harsh restrictions. situation gradually eased after greece s return democracy, although 1990s greece has been criticised international human rights activists harassing macedonian slav political activists, who, nonetheless, free maintain own political party (rainbow). elsewhere in greek macedonia, economic development after war brisk , area rapidly became prosperous part of region. coast heavily developed tourism, particularly on halkidiki peninsula.

under georgi dimitrov, soviet loyalist , head of comintern, bulgaria accepted existence of distinctive macedonian identity. had been agreed pirin macedonia join yugoslav macedonia , reason population declared macedonian in 1946 census. caused resentment , many people imprisoned or interned in rural areas outside macedonia. after tito s split soviet bloc position abandoned , existence of macedonian nation or language denied.

attempts of macedonian historians after 1940s claim number of prominent figures of 19th century bulgarian cultural revival , armed resistance movement macedonians has caused ever since bitter resentment in sofia. bulgaria has repeatedly accused republic of macedonia of appropriating bulgarian national heroes , symbols , of editing works of literature , historical documents prove existence of macedonian slav consciousness before 1940s. publication in republic of macedonia of folk song collections bulgarian folk songs miladinov brothers , songs of macedonian bulgarians serbian archaeologist verkovic under politically correct titles collection , macedonian folk songs of examples quoted bulgarians. issue has soured relations of bulgaria former yugoslavia , later republic of macedonia decades.