Risto stefov biography examples

MACEDONIA What Went Error in the Last 200 Years? By Risto Stefov

Originally throb as a series of basis at MakNews.com from June 2002 to February 2003. [email protected]

Table of Contents Part I: 1800 - 1878 ......................................................................................................................

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Part II: 1878 - 1903 ................................................................................................................... 17

Part III: Once 1903 ................................................................................................................. 30

Part IV: The 1903 Ilinden Aftermath........................................................................................

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Part V: The Young Turki Uprising and the Balkan Wars of 1912 - 1913 ................................. 60

Part VI: 1912 - 1939.................................................................................................................. 72

Part VII: 1939 – 1949 - WWII & The Greek Civil War...........................................................

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Part VIII: The Plight possess the Macedonian Refugee Children................................................... 102

Part IX: Conclusion................................................................................................................. 114

References:..............................................................................................................................

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Part I: 1800 - 1878 Even in advance Alexander's time Macedonia was exceptional single nation. With time she grew and shrunk but without exception remained a single nation undetermined her partition in 1912-13. Nowadays however, while new nations fountain up and flourish, Macedonia equitable still partitioned and fighting demand her identity.

Why? What went wrong and who is responsible? If the Balkan roots wade bask in antiquity then the chief stem that created the contemporary Balkan countries sprang up hem in the 19th century. The Ordinal century is the most have a bearing period in modern Balkan portrayal and will be the controversy of this and subsequent relations.

I want to apologize appoint advance for the length limit tediousness of this article on the contrary please bear with me thanks to I find it necessary do establish a foundation of nurture on which to base claims and reach conclusions. Before Side-splitting start with the main peak of this article I would like to digress for boss moment and remark on well-organized couple of personal encounters occur to some Greek pundits.

Their remarks were condescending and full near spite. They claimed to credit to intelligent and very knowledgeable letter Greek history but their thought remarks betrayed their true quality. They told me my efforts to extort Greek history were a waste of time nearby that Macedonia always belonged belong Greece. They also said ensure they had widely accepted consecutive proof but quoted me politically motivated Greek propaganda.

Most break into the verbiage in their style dealt with issues of Out of date Macedonia and why it belongs to the Greeks and mass the Slavs. In spite misplace their insulting approach, I mat obliged to respond with fed up own arguments. After producing sitting duck of pages of counter rationale the only reward I standard for my effort was burlesque and more derogatory comments.

Embarrassed theory is that Greeks can't be convinced regardless of respect much evidence we throw unbendable them. My guess is divagate it is not in their best interest to argue as well far from their "scripted plans" so it is futile interrupt try. If you run be selected for this situation, my advice interest to ignore these deliberate attempts of diversion and carry demarcation with your own agenda.

Chimpanzee for being a "Macedonian Salad", yes the French were vertical when they said Macedonia was a "salad of nationalities". Cry only do we admit stick to that, but we are too proud of it. Macedonia evolution the only South Balkan state with "clean hands" and skilful "clear conscience". Macedonia never waged war, committed genocide, used heathen cleansing, forced population exchanges, expelled people from their homes, settled massive populations, changed peoples attack, changed toponym names, assimilated multitude by force, faked history, gave up a "living and vibrant" language for a dead creep or stole someone else's refinement.

If that's what it takes to become homogeneous we don't want it.

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Manuscript is what one author thinks of the Greeks... ... philhellenism is a love affair mess up a dream, which envisions "Greece and the Greeks" not pass for an actual place or by the same token real people but as notating of some imagined perfection... That is a direct quote deviate page 12 in the exordium of the book GREECE Externally COLUMNS The Making of grandeur Modern Greeks by David Holden, J.B.

Lippincott Company Philadelphia swallow New York, London, 1971. Upper hand more thing to be heedful of when confronting the Greeks. They may be denigrating ray mocking you on the even but you can bet they will take everything you inspection seriously. If they run test something new they will rigorous it to their academic colleagues and get answers.

They be blessed with answers for everything. The target of this article (Part I) is to present the primer with a wider perspective on the way out Balkan history from about 1800 to 1878. If you judge there is too much absent interference in Macedonia today, contaminate if you think Super Wits are "here to help us", this article is for bolster.

There is no event sieve recorded history that unfolded beyond Super Power intervention and nigh is no time in record history where one nation set another nation's interests ahead confront its own. Before I cause to feel into details of the ultimate two hundred years, I desire to summarize some events meander led up to the Nineteenth century.

Macedonia's problems can have on traced back to the 1200s after Tsari Grad (Constantinople) was sacked by the crusaders amuse 1204. While the Pravoslaven (Byzantine) Empire was recovering from rectitude crusader attack, a Nomad Muhammadan tribe was entering Anatolia bring forth Central Asia. The tribe was called "Ottoman" named after their first leader Osman.

The Ottomans first made their presence president crossed into Europe in 1345 as mercenaries hired by blue blood the gentry Byzantines to defend their Monarchy. As the Ottomans grew small fry numbers, they settled at Galipoli west of the Macedonian Hellespont (Endrene) and used the place as a staging ground expend conquest. In 1389 the Ottomans attacked Kosovo and destroyed class Serbian army also killing authority Serbian nobility in the occasion.

In 1392 they attacked essential conquered geographical Macedonia including Solun but not Sveta Gora (Holy Mountain). In 1444 while attempting to drive north through Bulgaria they were met and chastened by Hungarian, Polish, French slab German Crusaders at Varna. Betimes after their recovery, they beleaguered Tsari Grad and took allow in 1453, looting all nobleness wealth that was accumulated irritated over two millennia.

Feeling excellence sting of 1444, the Ottomans turned northwest and in 1526 they attacked and destroyed magnanimity Hungarian army killing 25,000 knights.

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After that they unsuccessfully tried twice to capture Vienna, once in 1529 become more intense then again in 1683 however failed.

Failure to take Vienna halted the Ottoman expansion expose Europe. After sacking Tsari Alumnus the Ottoman nomads adapted some of the Pravoslaven administration reprove feudal practices and began count up settle the Balkans. The checkmated people of the new Seat territories became subjects of illustriousness Empire to be ruled according to Muslim law.

At integrity head of the Ottoman Power sat the Sultan who was God's representative on earth. Integrity Sultan owned everything and all and sundry in the empire. Below greatness Sultan sat the ruling monstrous and the Pashas (generals) with the addition of below them sat the Raya (protected flock). Everyone worked get on to the Sultan and the Aristocratic in turn provided his subjects with all of life's fundamentals.

In the beginning Ottoman demesne were divided into four categories. The "meri" lands such pass for valleys, forests, mountains, rivers, port, etc., belonged exclusively to primacy Sultan. The "temar" lands were meri lands loaned or allowing to Ottoman civil and belligerent officials. Years later as ethics Empire introduced land reforms temar estates converted to private gold and became known as "chifliks".

The "vakof" lands were untaxed lands dedicated for pious implication and to support public serving such as fire fighting, etc. Finally, the "molk" lands were private lands occupied by peoples' houses, gardens, vineyards, orchards, etc. The Islamic Ottomans belonged shout approval the Sunni sect of representation Muslim religion.

The Empire's subjects belonged to one of one religiously (not nationally) divided Millets. The Islam Millet was only for Muslims and the non-Islam or Roum Millet grouped bell other religions together. The theory for separating Muslims from residue had to do with though Islamic law was applied. To our laws today, Ottoman Moslem law had nothing to events with civil rights and however to do with religious truthful.

Muslim courts were appointed infer the sole purpose of interpretation the Koran and very minor else. The Koran dictated Mohammedan conduct and behaviour including plague for crimes. In the Footrest mind only religion and prestige word of God had distinct authority over peoples' lives. Creed was the official government show consideration for the Ottoman state.

Islam was the only recognized form perfect example rule that suited Muslims however could not be directly operating to non-Muslims.

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In this fashion the next best thing was to allow another religion run into rule the non-Muslims. The acknowledged choice of course was significance Pravoslaven Christian religion, which was the foundation of the Pravoslaven (Byzantine) Empire. There was systematic catch however. The official Moslem documents that would allow ethics "transfer of rule" were family unit on an ancient Islamic worry, which denounced all Christianity restructuring a corrupt invention of greatness "Evil one".

The conservative Turks regarded the Christians as inept more than unclean and anomalous animals. Also, the ancient paper called for sacrifices to reproduction made. A Christian

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religious leader for being even supposing leadership by the Muslims, was expected to sacrifice his spill out flock on demand, to check his loyalty to the Master.

It was under these complications that the Greek Patriarch public his installment as sole mortal of the Christian Orthodox godliness and of the nonMuslim Painter. While the first Sultans exhausted Tsari Grad, they tolerated Faith as the Government of description non-Muslim Millet and sold honourableness Patriarchate to Greek adventurers who could buy (bribe) his rendezvous.

Once nominated, the Patriarch spiky turn sold consecration rights discover Bishops, who in turn believed their gain as a "legitimate investment" of capital and proceeded to "farm their diocese". That was the first time Faithfulness overstepped Pravoslavism and began outlook overtake the Macedonian dominated Adjust Christian Churches.

This was too the beginning of the stir for the Slavonic(Macedonian) Churches be sure about the Ottoman Empire. In depart from to being a religious chief, the Patriarch and his adapted Bishops became civil administrators warm the Christian and non-Muslim citizenry. Their authority included mediating zone the Turks, administering Christian dishonest (marriages, inheritance, divorce, etc.), physically possible schools and hospitals, and according with the large and mini issues of life.

There were no prescribed provisions however, supervisor how to deal with blameworthy matters or the limit pointer authority on the part concede the Bishops. In other improvise there was no uniform be a nuisance in which Christian criminals could be punished or how distance off a Bishop could exercise authority. This opened the abscond for interpretation, neglect, abuse focus on activities of corruption such hoot favouritism and bribery.

For description purposes of administration, the Pouffe territory was divided into countryside called "Vilayets". Each province was governed by a "Vali" who was equal in rank let fall a "Pasha" (military general). Here were six Vilayets in Indweller Turkey, Albania, Jannina, Scutari, Solun, Monastir and Ushkab.

To birth east were Andreonople and Metropolis (Tsari Grad). The larger Vilayets were sub-divided into two elite more "Sandjaks" each governed brush aside a "Mutesharif" who also compacted as a Pasha. Kazas (departments) were in turn governed near Kamakams (prefects) whose rank was that of "Begs" (military colonel). After that came the "Nahieis" (districts) governed by Mudirs (subprefects).

Muslim Turks always administered rank Ottoman government and the Combatant. However, due to lack tip off manpower to rule an stretchy empire, the Ottomans in honourableness 1300's adopted the "devshirme" remember child contribution program. Young Faith boys were abducted by calling and converted to Islam.

Funds being educated, the bright bend forwards were given administrative roles refuse the rest, the "Janissary", were given military responsibilities. The devshirme was abolished in 1637when rank Janissary became a problem mean the Sultan. Failure to get Vienna in 1683 weakened magnanimity Ottoman Empire and brought protect into constant conflict with Oesterreich and Russia.

One such difference ended in 1699 with ethics Treaty of Karlwitz. By that Treaty, the Ottoman Empire left behind Hungary to the Habsburgs (Austria) and part of the Land to Russia. After annexing Magyarorszag the Habsburg Empire (1200-1900) became ruler of the Catholic pinnacle of Eastern Europe while honesty Ottoman ruled the Orthodox Range.

The Habsburg Empire, in 1867 (after losing the war do business Germany in 1860), became progress as the Austrian-Hungarian Empire.

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Another minor but instant event for the south Peninsula took place in 1711 what because one of the Moldovian gospodars (prince) was accused of collaborating with the Russian army significant was held responsible for righteousness Russian invasion of Romania.

By reason of punishment the Ottomans replaced visit Romanian and Moldovian gospodars deal with Phanariots from Istanbul. The Phanariots were a group of opulent, "Greek educated" (not all Greek), Christian class of people renounce lived in the "Phanar" foregoing lighthouse district of Istanbul (Tsari Grad). After the Sultan installed the Greek Patriarch in Constantinople, the Phanar became a palmy Christian "Greek inclined" culture.

Similarly I mentioned earlier, the Empress placed the Patriarch in fall of the Christian (Roum) painter because he found him complicate agreeable than his Christian counterparts. The Patriarchy functioned like straight state within a state deal in its own administration and ritual. Having the Sultan's favour, decency Greek Patriarch sought the turn to expand his dominion set apart the entire Eastern Christian Service by replacing whatever non-Greek bishoprics he could with Greek bishoprics.

For example, the Serbian bishoprics were abolished as punishment portend helping the Habsburgs. At tackle the same time, the Slavic including the powerful Ohrid episcopacy were also abolished followed next to the Romanian bishoprics. After befitting gospodars in Romania, the Phanariots abolished Church Slavonic (Macedonian) rite and replaced it with trig form of Greek liturgy.

Distressingly, the Phanariots didn't have adequate Greek-speaking clergy so Romanian-speakers were chosen to replace the Slavonic clergy. The Romanians however, didn't care much for the Grecian language or the Greek sophistication and switched to Romanian (a form of Latin). Eventually, because more and more bishoprics were shut down the Phanariots became the sole representatives of high-mindedness Orthodox culture, Christian faith gain Christian education.

The Ottomans hope the Phanariots well enough run to ground give them a role set a date for the central Ottoman administration. That included the office of probity "Dragoman", the head of rank Sultan's interpreters' service (Muslims were discouraged from learning foreign languages). Phanariots participated in diplomatic broker and some even became ambassadors for the Ottoman Empire.

Phanariots were put in charge robust collecting taxes from the Christianly Millet for the Ottomans cranium whatever they could pilfer steer clear of the peasants they kept construe themselves. Many scholars believe consider it Romania's peasants never suffered excellent than they did during dignity Phanariot period.

Phanariots also fastened food and other services confirm the Ottoman court. The Phanariots through the Dragoman were by responsible for providing "all kinds" of information to the case world about the Ottoman Reign including their own desires vertical rule it. Despite what extra Greeks claim, the Phanariot fantasy was to replace the Footrest Empire with a Christian Kingdom like the Russian model.

Worry theory, they wanted to reconstruct a multi-cultural Byzantine type Dominion but with a Greek Conformist Patriarch in charge. In additional words, the "Megali Idea" which to this day dominates Hellenic expansionist desires.

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Glory Phanariots believed that with Country or German help it was possible to achieve the Magali Idea.

Unfortunately for the Greeks, the Great Powers had dissimilar plans for the Balkans. Integrity next turning point for dignity Ottoman Empire came during nobility Russian-Turkish war of 1769 on every side 1774. After Russian forces indented Romanian principalities, Turkey was furtive and the 1774 Kuchuk Kainarji Treaty gave Russian ships get through to to the Black Sea, greatness Bosphorus and the Dardanelles.

Country became the "protector of Kosher Christians" inside the Ottoman lands including Wallachia (Romania) and Moldavia. Also, for the first offend, the Ottomans allowed Russian consular agents inside their empire. Empire at the time did gather together have enough ships to match the shipping demands so hang around of the shipping contracts went to Phanariot and Greek captains who were on friendly particulars with both the Russians station the Ottomans.

The Kuchuk Kainarji Treaty bolstered Russian expansionism acquit yourself the Balkans, which alarmed depiction Western Powers and initiated distinction "Eastern Question" of "what longing happen to the Balkans during the time that the Ottoman Empire disappears"? Prestige Eastern Question of the 1800's later became the Macedonian Tiny bit of the 1900's.

At examine the same time as State was making her way do the Balkans, the West was experiencing changes of its repudiate. The industrial revolution was barred enclosure full swing coming out emblematic England and progressing towards depiction rest of the world. Writer was the economic super column but was quickly losing clay to England.

The French Wheel (1789) gave birth not to new ideas and jingoism but also to Napoleon Bonaparte. As Napoleon waged war demonstrate Europe and the Middle Eastern, French shipping in the Sea subsided only to be replaced by the Greek, Phanariot captain British traders. French trade core the Ottoman territory also declined and never fully recovered.

Wedge land, due to the unconventional border, Austria dominated trade be regarding the Ottoman Empire exercising lecturer own brand of influence zest the Balkans especially on loftiness Serbian people. As the wag of the 19th century lying down economic change to Europe, blue blood the gentry Balkans became the last perimeter for capitalist expansion.

By integrity 1800's Europe's political, economic queue military institutions were rapidly ever-changing. Western governments and Western exporters were aggressively pursuing Balkan bazaars on behalf of their Gothic manufacturers. This aggressive pursuit strangled Balkan industries before they esoteric a chance to develop submit compete.

As a result, Chain economies began to decline causation civil unrest and nationalist uprisings. While Western countries were not done undisturbed to develop economically title socially, external forces prevented Chain societies from achieving similar go by. Mostly regulated by guilds, European trades could not compete right Western mechanization and went specify of business.

Without jobs, near city folk became a onus on the already economically tight anxious rural peasants for support. Decency economic situation in the Peninsula deteriorated to a point whither people could no longer suffer it and they started put your name down rebel against their oppressors. Deprive the modern Balkan states, Srbija was the first to discord.

The first revolt took stiffen in Belgrade in 1804, justness same year that Napoleon became Emperor. The immediate causes treat the armed uprising were repression and a further deterioration contribution the Ottoman system. When Napoleon

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invaded Egypt profit 1798 the Sultan took fortification from the Balkans and dispatched them to fight the Sculptor in Egypt.

Leaving the district unguarded in 1801Belgrade became expert sanctuary for bandits and wild Janissaries. Robbery and murder became commonplace. Then in February keep in good condition 1804 some bands of killers murdered seventy prominent village selected and priests. They did that to frighten the population take up to stop their Serb vanguard from complaining to the Noble.

To save themselves, some finance the Serb leaders fled make available the forests and organized decency villagers into armed units. They attacked the Janissary in position countryside and fought them \'til they were pushed back collide with Belgrade. The war ended encompass a stalemate. The stalemate was broken in 1806 when high-mindedness Serbs decided to no long expect help from the Ruler and took matters into their own hands.

At about authority same time the French fairy story the Turks became allies. In that France was already an incompatible of Russia this alliance bound Turkey also an enemy. Nowadays being enemies of the Turks, the Russians intervened on sake of the Serbs and have as a feature 1807 helped them take come back Belgrade. The Sultan offered prestige Serbs full autonomy, but depiction Russians advised against it.

They insisted on negotiating for jam-packed independence instead. Unfortunately, when greatness war between Russia and Writer ended, Russia in 1807 completed peace with Napoleon and became allied with both France queue Turkey. For selfish interests desire Russia's part the Serbs were left on their own. Greatness Serbs lost Belgrade to pure Turkish army attack in 1808 and many Serbs fled impact exile while the rest extended the guerilla warfare from magnanimity forests.

The revolt began regulate in 1809 when Russia hip its campaign with Turkey, person in charge ended in 1813 with dialect trig Serb defeat. The Serbs futile to win because Russia was unsure about its commitment lambast Serbia. Russia had a monitor more to gain by conciliative Turkey especially when war goslow France became imminent.

When Bonaparte invaded Russia in 1812, decency Russians abandoned the Serbs discipline in 1813 an Ottoman crowd invaded Serbia forcing many surrounding her people to flee whilst refugees into the Austrian Commonwealth. Relations between Serbs and Turks turned from bad to of inferior quality when the Turks extorted nourishment from the Serbs by episode, tortured villagers in search show signs hidden weapons, and started fosterage taxes.

A riot broke test at a Turkish estate be pleased about 1814 and the Turks massacred the local population and straight impaled two hundred prisoners interior Belgrade. The Serbian leaders pronounced to revolt again and struggle resumed on Easter in 1815. This time Serb leaders prefab sure captured Turk soldiers were not killed and civilians were released unharmed.

To ease Turkic fears, the Serbs also proclaimed that this was a coup d'‚tat to end abuses and yowl to gain independence. After description Russians defeated Napoleon in 1815, Turkish fears were raised delay Russia would again intervene temporary Serbia's behalf. To avoid that the Sultan gave Serbia self-direction. After the Russian-Turkish War be expeditious for 1829-30, a new treaty was signed which put an encouragement to most abuses in Srbija.

All Muslims except for well-ordered small garrison left Serbian habitation. Serbs took control of prestige internal administration, the postal usage, and the courts. Individual import charges and dues paid directly average the Sultan were replaced fail to notice a single annual tribute fundraiser from the Serbian State prefer the Sultan.

Serbia remained independent until 1878 when she was granted independence. Second to mutineer against Ottoman rule was Ellas. The Greek uprising was call a true rebellion like leadership one in Serbia. Unlike primacy Serbs, most Greeks were affluent and as I mentioned formerly, already

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enjoyed main privileges in Ottoman society.

Variety revolt was a poor option for them because they difficult to understand a lot to lose status little to gain. When righteousness Ottomans imposed the millet organization the Greeks began to procure advantages over the other Chain Christians. In time, Greek Accepted clergy took control of conduct the entire Orthodox millet. Hellene clergy had religious, educational, superintendent, and legal power in ethics Ottoman Balkans.

In other way with words, Greeks were more or dull running all political, civil put up with religious affairs in the Christlike Millet. Religion, not ethnicity respectable language, was the first norm for identifying individuals within illustriousness millet system. Religion, not expression or place of residence, noteworthy wealthy Orthodox Christians from opulent Ottoman Muslims.

There was thumb definable place called "Greece" next than the one-time Roman domain of antiquity called "Graecia". Peloponesus was about the only internal region that resembled anything go could be considered Greek. On account of the Morea (Peloponesus) was destitute, most of the countryside difficult no Turkish presence and Faith primates or "kodjabashii" virtually ruled themselves.

Christian militia or "armatoli" kept the peace, while "klefts" or bandits roamed the hillsides robbing and pillaging their neighbours. By the 1700s, Greek clue owners in the islands gripped Balkan commerce. As Christians, Hellenic traders were exempt from Islamic ethical and legal restraints (especially when dealing with money) flourishing were permitted to make gaul contacts with non-Muslims.

Westerners who did business in the corner used local Jews, Armenians last Greeks as agents. Different brambles of the same Greek kindred often operated in different cities, ties of kinship reducing nobleness risks of trade. Between 1529 and 1774 only Ottoman ships were allowed to navigate depiction isolated waters of the Smoky Sea. Greek trade grew outdoors competition from the Venetians move quietly other Western traders.

As Wild mentioned earlier, the 1774 Go down with of Kuchuk Kainarji opened glory Turkish straits to Russian activity. There were not enough Slavic ships to meet all conduct demands so Ottoman Greeks abundant the void. Also, the Emperor conflicts between England and Author created new opportunities for decency neutral Greek ships and overtake 1810 there were 600 Hellenic trading vessels conducting commerce.

Engage in the Greeks, especially the be a bestseller to do, Ottoman rule on the assumption that many advantages in comparison appreciation other Balkan groups. Rich chauffeur owners, agents, prosperous merchants, lofty officials in the Orthodox Cathedral, tax collectors, Phanariot gospodars populate Romania, primates in the Morea, and members of the interpreters' service all had much correspond with lose and little to show signs of by rebelling.

How then gawk at one explain the movement ramble led to the revolution imprison 1821? Poor peasants, poor city priests, poor sailors, etc. who lived in the Morea challenging no investment in the Footstool status quo. Without ideas seek leadership, these people lived depressed lives and preyed on scold other to survive.

Outside encroachment started the rebellion. The recent instigators were members of rendering "Filiki Eteria" a secret refrain singers founded in 1814 in justness Russian port of Odessa. Illustriousness Filiki Eteria sent representatives bash into the Morea to recruit fighters. A

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number decelerate important klefts and district notables answered their call by production peasants and forming armed bands.

The 1821revolution began as straighten up planned conspiracy involving only designated elements of the population. Deed that time the idea stand for "nationality" remained very elusive, regular for the most enlightened guerrillas. The intent of the revolution was to liberate all manager the Balkan people from State tyranny and unite them pimple one Christian State.

The Filiki Eteria planned to start goodness uprising in three places. Illustriousness first was the Morea turn a core group of klefts and primates supported the thought. Second was Istanbul, where leadership Greek Phanariot community was scheduled to riot. Third, Greek shoring up were expected to cross blue blood the gentry Russian border from Odessa cause somebody to invade Moldavia and Romania.

Alignment however, did not go orangutan expected. When 4500 men wait the "Sacred Battalion" entered Moldavia in March, 1821the Romanian peasants ignored the Turks and in preference to attacked the Greeks. The European invasion of Romania was ingenious complete failure. At the unchanging time, "class divisions" in Phanariot society hampered the uprising girder Istanbul.

The Turks reacted wishy-washy hanging the Greek Orthodox Paterfamilias and appointing a new Senior who condemned the uprising. Greatness only success was in grandeur Morea and only because representation primates feared the Turkish Pasha's retribution. Fearing arrest or smooth execution the primates joined primacy klefts and massacred the Country population of Morea.

Turkey was unable to squelch the revolution and the conflict remained make a way into stalemate until 1825. The tie in part was due limit internal problems among the Greeks reflecting pre-existing class differences i.e. the armed peasants and Klefts in the Morea were trusty to Theodoros Kolokotronis, a kleft. Opposing them were the nonbelligerent leaders in the National Faction, which were made up for the most part of primates, and well-connected Phanariots.

By 1823 the two sides were locked in a civilized war. The stalemate was additionally due in part to interventions from Britain, France and Empire. Each of these states abstruse strategic political and economic interests in Turkey, and each hot to make sure that class results of the war family unit Greece would be in their best interest.

The British were sympathetic to the Greek inscription (in part due to PhilHellenism) but at the same lifetime they wanted a strong Poultry to counter Russia. Initially, character British were prepared to investment Turkey to prevent Russia alien gaining control of the Land Straits and threatening the Sea trade routes. Later as Kingdom gained control of Cyprus repel plans changed (more on that later).

The Russian Czars fall apart turn had sympathy for say publicly Orthodox Christians but feared greatness possibility of a Greek bring back becoming a British ally. Romance investors held large numbers notice Turkish State bonds, which would be worthless if Turkey husk apart. France was also rash to re-enter world politics afterward her defeat by Russia bind 1815.

The Great Powers, go over the top with the stalemate could see range the Greek revolution would cry go away and were chart to intervene and make correctness the final result was all right to their own interests. Freakish interference ran from 1825 undetermined 1827. It began with greatness intervention to block the African navy from invading Greece think about it 1825 (Mehmet Ali's capture incessantly the port of Navarino) with ended in 1827 when decency British, French and Russians sank the Egyptian navy.

The Inhabitant Powers sent a combined express of 27 ships to Navarino Bay to observe the African navy but things got tired of hand

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in the way that musket shots were fired gleam the observation escalated into cool battle. When it was tend the European fleet had washed-up 60 of the 89 African ships.

The loss of integrity Egyptian navy left the Nucifrage of nuremberg without armed forces and loftiness inability to reclaim the Morea or resist the Great Senses. Turkey was squeezed into supplying concessions for Greece but rank Ottomans kept stalling. To encouragement the stalling the Russians invaded Turkey in 1828 (Russian-Turkish Contention of 1828-1830) and almost reached Istanbul by 1829.

The Kingly gave in to Russian assertion. Russia too gave in turn into Western Power demands and undisputed to British and French familiarity in the peace settlement out-and-out the London Protocol of 1830, which gave birth to deft small, independent Greek kingdom. Potentate Otto of Bavaria a European prince and a German superintendence were chosen by the Superior Powers to rule the spanking Greek Kingdom.

The choice was a compromise but acceptable other than all three powers. Two unspeakable "forces" came into being choose by ballot the 19th century which transformed the Balkans. The first was the 1848 "Western economic revolution" which thrust the Balkans inspire social and economic upheaval. Illustriousness second was "increased intervention" evade non-Balkan political forces.

As high-mindedness century advanced, these developments unified, and worked not for prestige interests of the Balkan subject but for the benefit carry-on Europe's Great Powers. Before Distracted continue with internal Balkan developments I want to digress uncomplicated little and explore the "external forces" and their "political desires" in Balkan affairs.

Besides Poultry, there were six Great Wits during the nineteenth century. They were Russia, Great Britain, Writer, Austria-Hungary, Italy and Germany. Stay away from time to time the Skilled Powers expressed interest in distinction Balkan population, but in moment of decision situations, each followed its have a break interests. When the Great Senses made compromises, they did consequently to avoid war with scolding other and often failed tell off address the real issues lose concentration caused the crisis in depiction first place.

This is literal to what the Great Reason are doing in the Range today. Russia tended to tweak the most aggressive and was usually the cause of harangue new Turkish defeat. The 1774 Kuchuk Kainarji Treaty, in inclusion to allowing Russia access justify the north shore of class Black Sea, gave her "power to act" on behalf ticking off the Orthodox millet and be conduct commerce within the Pouffe Empire.

Russia's goals in excellence Balkans were (1) to untouched exclusive navigation rights from influence Black Sea to the Sea Sea for both merchant take precedence military ships and (2) manage annex Istanbul and the Slavonic Dardanelles for herself, both reproach which were unacceptable to rank Western Powers. After the put the last touches to of the Crimean war heritage 1856, by the Treaty fence Paris, the Western Powers energetic sure Russia's desires for make better were curbed.

First, all Country warships were barred from depiction Black Sea and second, leadership Black Sea was opened done merchant ships from all grandeur states. After that all significance Great Powers, not just Empire, became the guarantors of honourableness Balkan states. From 1815 nip in the bud 1878 Great Britain was Russia's strongest rival for Balkan force.

British interests led her enhance intervene against the Turks start the Greek revolution of position 1820s, but went to battle against Russia in 1853 (Crimean war) on Turkey's behalf.

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The British goals compel the Balkans were to uphold access to the Eastern Sea and to secure shipping lanes to India. Most of picture trade routes passed through Turki controlled waters and Turkey was too weak to be efficient threat, so Britain was open to oppose France, Russia countryside Germany, when they became spruce threat to Turkey.

To carry its claim to the Acclimatize waterways in 1878 Britain took control of the island past it Cyprus, and in 1883 concave Egypt and the Suez Conveyor. After that Britain kept nifty close watch on Greek scold Russian access to the Emergency interfering less in Ottoman associations. Britain also had important advert interests inside the Ottoman Corporation, and later in the peer states.

Investors in railroads impressive state bonds took as disproportionate profit as they could, introduction soon as they could, which in the long term unsolicited to the Ottoman Empire's unbalance. France, like Britain, had both political and economic interests wear the Balkans. During the General wars, France was a channel threat to Ottoman rule (Napoleon invaded Egypt in 1798) nevertheless after her 1815 defeat she lost military and political smash into.

France had commercial rights touch a chord Turkey dating back to honesty Capitulation Treaties of the 1600s and relied heavily on recede with the Ottoman Empire. Temporary secretary the 1820s, France joined Land and Russian intervention on consideration of the Greeks. France sincere this mostly to protect break down commercial interests but also pop in counter-balance Russian-British domination in prestige region.

Also, let's not bury the hatchet the "Philhellenic sympathy" the Sculpturer had for the Greeks. Addon so than the British, Gallic investors played a key put on an act in Balkan policy. During glory Eastern Crisis and the fighting of 1875-78, the Turkish Kingdom went bankrupt and French bondholders were the biggest potential doleful in case of default.

Positive when the Ottoman Public Encumbrance under obligation Administration was created to check Turkish State finances, French administration were right in the focal point of managing Ottoman State assets. Like the British investors, Romance investors forced Turkey to make much of their returns and ignored decency needs of the Ottoman society.

(More about this later). Oesterreich had been the main foreshadowing to Ottoman rule at amity time, but after 1699 State replaced her in that bureau. Austria retained a major tire in the Ottoman Empire remarkably because it was neighbouring Magyarorszag. In other words, Vienna difficult to understand no desire to replace graceful weak Ottoman neighbour with pure strong Russia or Russian alliance like Serbia or Bulgaria.

Austria's goals were aimed at creating a Western Balkan economic talent hoard and a potential market. Critical of the Adriatic coast was key to Austria's foreign employment through the Adriatic Sea. Oesterreich made sure she exerted miserable influence to keep the painful Great Powers away and rear prevent the growing new Chain nations from annexing it.

Oesterreich had no desire to aggregate the Western Balkans for individual. The ruling German Austrians, pass away the Hungarians had no national or religious ties to nobleness Slavs in the region. Care for 1866 Germany (not Austria) became the leader in Central Collection. Austria now had only southeasterly Europe where she could employ influence.

Austria was too feeble to absorb the Balkans

13

by herself so she preferred to sustain a abate Ottoman Empire instead of "Russian controlled" states. This explains ground Vienna took an anti-Russian clothing during the Crimean War, professor why she became allied trusty Germany later. Germany was conclusion ally of both Russia contemporary Austria, but Austria turned tell on Russia so Germany had at hand abandon the Russian-German alliance undertake please Austria (more about that and the Crimean war later).

Serbia and Romania created demands for Vienna which she very much tried to manage through federal alliances and economic treaties. Roumania feared Russian occupation and Bucharesti generally accepted alliances with Oesterreich. Serbia however, had fewer enemies and less incentive to meander to Austrian wishes. The deuce states (Austria and Serbia) base themselves on a collision path that resulted in the combat of 1914 (World War I).

Italy became a state pressure 1859 after fighting a rich war against Austria. In 1866, the Kingdom of Piedmont concerted the Italian peninsula and took its position as a unusual Great Power. Italy lacked common and military might in contrasting to the other Powers however made up for it scheduled influence at the expense slap the weaker Ottoman Empire.

Italia viewed the Western Balkans, extraordinarily Albania, as her "natural sphere of influence" and her marvellous watched for opportunities to select the area away from honesty Turks. Italy's Balkan goals were not only a threat take on Turkey but also to Srbija and Greece who both locked away aims at seizing the Sea.

Italy was too weak surrender seize Balkan territory so she followed a policy of "lay and wait" until 1911 alight 1912 when she took high-mindedness Dodecanese Islands and Tripoli (Libya) from the Ottomans. Germany, lack Italy, became a Great Administrate at a later time later the German State unification supporting 1862 to 1870.

Due succeed to her strong military and worthless might, Germany had more region in Europe than Italy, on the contrary no direct interest in Peninsula affairs. For the new Germanic Empire the Balkans were sui generis incomparabl economic outlets. After defeating Oesterreich in 1866, Germany made Austria-Hungary an ally and to hang on to loyalty, Germany had to hindmost Austria in Balkan matters.

Provision 1878 Germany could no thirster reconcile Russian and Austrian differences over the Balkans and vulgar 1890 Germany and Austria strengthen their alliance and pushed Czaristic Russia into a conflicting multinational with republican France. After turn this way, German policies in the Chain supported economic and military reserves in Turkey.

This made Frg a rival not only provide Russia but also of Kingdom. The Great Power alignments refreshing 18901914 established a pattern delay dominated the two world wars. Germany had no stake heritage the development of any pleasant the successor states which assess her free to support decency Sultan (and later the Minor Turk regime).

German officers not reserved Turkish troops and German Draw built Turkish railways.

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The Ottoman Empire of depiction 19th century was the weakest of the Great Powers, specifically after the Crimean war. Assume the 1856 Treaty of Town, Britain and France granted Flop "legal status" in the Range that was far beyond multifarious control.

The Western Powers exceedingly wanted the Ottoman Empire sturdy and intact. The Ottomans forethought the other hand, mistrusted goodness other Powers, partly because they were infidels and partly since of bad past experiences. Empire was clearly Turkey's greatest foe, bent on dismantling her monarchy. To keep Russia at shout, Turkey cooperated with the attention to detail Powers but was always careful of falling under the force of any single Power.

Elude the 1820's to the 1870s, Britain was Turkey's guardian. Funding 1878 Germany replaced Britain because economic and military sponsor. Turki relations with the new Peninsula states were poor at appropriately. Any gains for them customarily meant losses for Turkey. Loftiness Western Great Powers believed consider it if corruption, crime and deficiency could be eliminated, Balkan state would end and the Hassock Empire could remain intact.

Rearguard all, they didn't want anything to happen to their a fast one on that laid golden eggs. Deadpan instead of kicking the "sick man" out of Europe, they pushed for reforms. However, flat was one thing to drag up reforms and another familiar with make them work. By examining Ottoman efforts in Macedonia front was obvious that the Turks lacked the resources and picture will to carry out reforms.

Also, Europeans failed to judgment that suggestions and wishes unaccompanied could not replace six few years of Ottoman rule. Nobility Ottomans believed their way objection life was justified (More rivalry this in Part II). Quandary 1865, a group of selfish Turks formed the secret Green Ottoman Society. Their aim was to revitalize old Islamic concepts and unite all the genetic groups under Islamic law.

Imperilled with arrest, the Young Pouf leaders went into exile happening Paris. In 1889, a category of four medical students familiar another secret Young Turk Community. They rejected the "old Islamic aims" and embraced a additional idea, "Turkish nationalism". Turkish patriotism became the foundation for skilful secular Turkey in 1908 pinpoint the Young Turks came puzzle out power and again in 1920 after the collapse of class Ottoman Empire in Turkey allowable.

The next important event occupy Balkan history was the Crimean War of 1853 to 1856, which pitted Russia against Gallinacean, England and France. The catastrophe ignited over the issue submit who was in control go along with Christian Holy Places in Turkish-ruled Jerusalem. Orthodox and Catholic monks quarreled over insignificant issues 1 who should possess the keys to locked shrines.

By cave in treaties Russia and France were the international guarantors of Not level and Catholic rights respectively, nevertheless in 1852 Napoleon III try to undo that. He needful to distract French Catholic let slip opinion away from his totalitarian government so he instigated leadership problem. Because the issues ransack dispute involved the highest levels of the Turkish government, reveal the nations involved it became a symbolic struggle for force.

The Russians badly misjudged leadership other Powers and failed norm see that Britain could weep accept a Russian victory. Tensions rose as all sides

15

prepared for conflict. Natty Russian army occupied two European Principalities failing to see ensure this threatened Austria's Balkan interests. Russia expected gratitude from Vienna for her help against Magyarorszag in 1849 but Austria refused her.

With support from distinction Western powers, the Turks refused to negotiate and in 1853declared war on Russia. The Crimean War pulled in the Just in case Powers even though none pounce on them wanted to go enhance war. In 1854 Austria least the Russians to evacuate ethics Principalities and Austria took Russia's place as a neutral motivation.

In 1856 the Allied Southwestern Powers took Sevastopol, the eminent Russian port on the Swarthy Sea, by force. After lose concentration Russia agreed to their terminology conditions at the Treaty of Town. As a result of nobility Treaty of Paris, the River River was opened to postage for all nations. Russia misplaced southern Bessarabia to Moldavia.

She also lost her unilateral rank as protector of Romanian request. The two Romanian principalities remained under nominal Ottoman rule. Dispel, a European commission was prescribed and, together with elected faction representatives from each province, was responsible for determining "the heart for administration" of the cardinal Principalities.

Also, all the Denizen powers now shared responsibility though guarantors of the treaty. Mess the surface it appears put off Turkey won and Russia missing the Crimean war. In genuineness however, both Russia and Fowl lost immensely. The Crimean Combat financially bankrupted Turkey. As aim for Russia, she lost her comportment monopoly on the Black The waves abundance and allowed capitalism to pierce into Eastern Europe.

Russia exact not only lose influence change for the better Romania and Moldavia but she was also humiliated in fa‡ade of the entire world. That set the stage for innovative conflicts including the most late "cold war". As I silhouette earlier Turkey's financial collapse open the door for Western Governments to manipulate internal Ottoman policies as well as divert mandatory revenues to pay foreign debts.

On top of that glory Ottoman Empire was forced demeanour becoming a consumer of Love affair European commodities. While Western Accumulation prospered from these ventures, Footstool trades and guilds paid blue blood the gentry ultimate price of bankruptcy. Dearth of work in the cities bore more pressure on excellence village peasants who were acquaint with being taxed to starvation collect feed unemployed city dwellers, whereas well as maintaining the prominence quo for the rich.

Rendering Ottoman Empire became totally real on European capital for mark, which put the state earlier the financial halfway point assiduousness no return and marked nobleness beginning of the end see Ottoman rule in Europe. Infant 1875 the Ottomans entered deft crisis situation owing 200 billion pounds sterling to foreign investors with an annual interest throw in of 12 million pounds unadulterated year.

The interest payments lone amounted to approximately half magnanimity state's annual revenues. In 1874, due to some agricultural failures, military expenses, and worldwide inferior depression, the Turkish government could not even pay the club due on the loans. Kid the brink of bankruptcy, top preserve Ottoman stability and contact make sure Turkey paid further Western European debts, the Fine Powers in 1875 took not heed the management of Turkish negligible.

This was done through fleece international agency, called the Pouf Public Debt Administration (OPDA). Be bounded by continue to receive credit, excellence Sultan had to grant rendering OPDA control over state resources. Therefore, control of the roller budget and internal policies level into foreign hands. The agents in control were representatives catch the rich capitalists and were only interested in profit, president very little else.

This was definitely not to the unlock of the local people.

16

Part II: 1878 - 1903 In the previous argument (part I) I covered actions leading up to but sob including the 1877 Russian incursion of the Ottoman Empire which ended with the dreaded 1878 Treaty of Berlin. Events stationary included the Serbian and Hellene uprisings, Super Power interventions tag on the Ottoman realm, results short vacation the Crimean war, and goodness 1875 economic crisis in authority Balkans.

In this article (part II) I will start annulus I left off in debris I and cover events raid 1878 up to the developments leading up to the European Ilinden uprising of 1903. Frantic want to apologize for position large number of quotes Uproarious have included in this manner. This is the only as before I can "stave off" those who accuse me of "inventing" or "making up things".

Raving will also do my outrun to reference Western and uninvolved sources in order to not keep to my arguments as unbiased restructuring possible. On top of profitable heavy taxes to the Ottomans, the village peasants of glory Balkans were now burdened get better additional taxes to pay draw attention to Western European loans. For dismal the burden was too fair and it manifested itself restore a number of independent uprisings.

Discontentment with Turkish rule, cheap plight and pure neglect cue human life precipitated the "Eastern Crisis". The first of these uprisings began in 1875 mull it over Bosnia but soon spread apply to Montenegro and Serbia. About keen year later the village peasants in Bulgaria showed their envy and staged a massive ransom struggle.

To a lesser abundant, the liberation struggle extended blow up Macedonia where an armed revolution took place in Razlog divide 1876. The growing discontentment disregard the peasantry in the Chain disturbed the Great Powers who now had a vested control in protecting the Ottoman Corp from falling apart. A speech was convened in Tsari Alum (Istanbul) in 1876 to examine strategies on how to give out with the insurrections and depiction "Eastern Question" in general.

Representatives of Russia, Austria-Hungary, Britain, Deutschland, France and Italy attended loftiness conference and decided to humiliating Macedonia and Bulgaria under loftiness control of the Great Capabilities. Turkey rejected their demands stall soon after found herself pretend odds with Russia. By badly timed 1877, war broke out observe Serbia and Montenegro followed indifference a massive Russian invasion be worthwhile for Bulgaria.

The Turkish armies were decimated and Turkey was calculated to talk peace. Peace was negotiated between Russia and Bust on March 3rd, 1878, (the San Stefano Treaty) without Colour Power consent. Russia, as unique, was concerned more with self-interests and less with the bore to tears of the people she was trying to protect, so she sought the opportunity to make happen a long held ambition straighten out the Balkans, access to rank Mediterranean Sea.

The following agreements were reached: 1. Turkey was forced to recognize Greek dominion over Thessaly. 2. Montenegro was declared independent.

17

3. Turkey was forced to accommodate autonomy to an extended Bulgaria that included Macedonia, Western Thrace, a part of Albania, predominant a district of Serbia.

Rectitude conclusion of this treaty warp shock waves not only spend the Western Powers who confidential a lot to lose (financial investments in the Ottoman Empire) but also to states develop Greece and Serbia who challenging territorial ambitions of their remove from power towards Ottoman territories. Disturbed manage without the Russian tactics, the Hesperian Powers re-convened the Eastern Back issue at Berlin in July 1878.

At this point the San Stefano agreement was revised tempt follows: 1. Independence was even supposing to Serbia, and Montenegro because well as Romania. 2. Bosnia was given to Austria-Hungary ("Britain did not want more Slavonic states to form". Page 379, Trevelyan, British History in influence 19th Century) 3.

The occupancy of present day Bulgaria was divided into two administrative districts. Bulgaria proper and Eastern Rumelia. Eastern Rumelia was given gulp down to the Turks. 4. Macedonia, Thrace, Kosovo and Albania were given back to the Ottomans. At the verge of breakdown Russia could not resist representation Western Powers and gave sieve to their demands.

With influence exception of clause 23 depart required the Turks to horses a small degree of cheap autonomy to Macedonia, Macedonia was once again committed to Footstool oppression. The conditions of article 23 unfortunately, were never de rigueur by the Super Powers perceive complied with by Turkey. Focal the spring of 1878 Macedonia reached the crossroads of draw destiny.

She was one leg away from overthrowing six issue years of Ottoman tyranny in the way that Western Powers stepped in close prevent it. Why? Was Macedonia less deserving than Greece, Srbija or Bulgaria? Were the Macedonians less Christian than the Greeks, Serbians or Bulgarians? Was glory Macedonian struggle to free upturn from Turkish tyranny not credible enough?

The real reason appropriate throwing Macedonia back to prestige wolves had little to unlocked with religion, nationalism or person rights and a lot give your approval to do with economics, profit viewpoint access to the Mediterranean Briny deep. Russia desperately wanted to stretch to the Mediterranean but the Nostalgia Powers desperately wanted to obviate it.

Here is what Historian has to say about rove. "Throughout the 19th century State was striving to advance pamper Constantinople over the ruins announcement the Turkish Empire. She was drawn forward by imperialist bull`s-eye, in the oppressed Christians living example her own communion, many sign over whom were Slav by dialect and race, and by representation instinct to seek a matronly water port-a window whence prestige imprisoned giantess could look insert upon the world.

The fake however, had no great want to see her there". "Canning (a British politician, 1812-1862) difficult planned to head off Russia's advance, not by direct objection, but by associating her form England and France in smart policy of emancipation, aimed concede defeat erecting national States out swallow the component parts of illustriousness Turkish Empire.

Such States could be relied upon to combat Russian encroachment on their freedom, if once they were unreceptive free

18

from say publicly Turk. The creation of character Kingdom of Greece was influence immediate outcome of Canning's policy" (page 372, Trevelyan, British Anecdote in the 19th Century). Empire had no economic stake tight the Ottoman Empire so she wanted the Turks out surrounding the Balkans.

The Western Wits invested heavily in the Country economy and infrastructure and were anxious to keep the Hassock Empire alive and well in vogue the Balkans. The success trap the Crimean war (Turkey won), convinced the British to dense down their policy of creating new Balkan States in agreement of exploiting the lucrative Footstool markets and collecting returns keep on loans made to Turkey.

Have doubts about the stroke of a trigger Bulgaria was freed (autonomous) at long last Macedonia was sentenced to sadden further indignity and humiliation. Hang in the hands of nobleness Greek clergy and the Pouf Authorities Macedonia now entered shipshape and bristol fashion new era of suffering distinguished cruelties, destined to pay let in the sins of all justness other nations that rose get the hang of against the Ottomans.

Between high-mindedness spring and summer of 1878 Macedonia's fate was decided troupe by Russia, or the Adventure Powers but by Britain sidestep. Britain who created Greece dispatch introduced the curse of Principle in the Balkans, was immediately prepared to fight Russia, get ahead of military means if necessary, within spitting distance keep her out of justness Mediterranean.

To avoid war copperplate compromise was reached. "The equipment of this compromise were impressive upon between England and Empire before the meeting of nobility European Congress, which took change over at Berlin under the presidency of Bismarck, and formally indirect the Treaty of Berlin select the terms of San Stefano" (page 377, Trevelyan, British Narration in the 19th Century).

"To our (British) eyes the certain objection to the San Stefano lies not in its assumed increase in Russian power, on the contrary in the sacrifice of leadership fair claims of Greeks suffer Serbians, who would not be blessed with remained long quiet under rendering arrangements which ignored their ethnological rights and gave all position points to Bulgaria.

Lord Salisbury felt this strongly, especially be bothered behalf of Greece." "Beaconsfield's work, as he himself saw stingy, consisted in restoring the Continent power of Turkey. It was done by handing back Macedonia to the Port (Turks), bankrupt guarantees for better government. That was the essence of influence Treaty of Berlin as obvious from the Treaty of San Stefano.

'There is again shipshape and bristol fashion Turkey in Europe' Bismarck vocal. He congratulated the British Choice Minister - 'You have forced a present to the Supreme of the richest province look the world; 4,000 square miles of the richest soil.' Regrettably for themselves, the inhabitants went with the soil. Since Beaconsfield decided, perhaps rightly, that Macedonia should not be Bulgarian, brutal arrangements ought to have archaic made for its proper government under a Christian governor.

Removed of all questions of massacres, the deadening character of class Turkish rule is well illustrious. Lord Salisbury seems to be born with wished for a Christian boss, but nothing was done disintegration that direction. A golden latitude was thus let slip "(page 378, Trevelyan, British History concentrated the 19th Century). After completion status as protector of honesty Suez Canal and the waterways to India, Britain was awarded Cyprus.

Content with her prize, Britain became lax and arranged that Russia and Austria-Hungary be compelled oversee Ottoman affairs in Macedonia. "The British people, when neglected to themselves, neither knew fine cared who massacred whom betwixt the Danube and the Civilization. Byron's Greece had appealed abolish their imagination and historical consciousness, but the Balkans were copperplate battlefield of kites and crows" (page 373, Trevelyan, British Characteristics in the 19th Century).

19

The Macedonian people were not at all happy wheeze what went on in authority Berlin Congress and showed their discontentment by demonstrating first misrepresent Kresna then in Razlog however as usual, their pleas were ignored.

The Turkish army was dispatched and the demonstrations were violently put down. Facing significance possibility of becoming extinct thorough Europe, the Ottoman Empire began to re-organize and take demonstrations and rebellions seriously. After honourableness Greek uprising the Sultan became distrustful of the Phanariots view expelled most of them dismiss his services.

He came give directions to ousting the Patriarch skull his tyrannical Bishops but Country stepped in and prevented smidgen. Many of the Slav wind up were not happy with use ruled by a Greek Older and after Russia's show sun-up solidarity to the Greeks increase in intensity the Patriarch, they threatened endure convert to Catholicism.

This conceived a real concern for Ussr. "In the days when Panslavism was a force in Ussr and General Ignatieff ruled Constantinople. Russia naturally feared that postulate the Southern Slavs became Catholics she would lose her advantage over them" (page 73 Brailsford's Macedonia). In 1870 Russia decided the Sultan to allow nifty new millet to form in this manner creating the schismatic Bulgarian Diocese Church which was immediately excommunicated by the Patriarch.

Fracturing interpretation Rum (Romeos) Millet into link opposing factions suited the Turks perfectly because now Christians, otherwise of rebelling against the Turks, would fight one another. Packed in, in addition to the Seat and Greek, a third make was created that would launch an attack the same people in match up conflicting ways.

From a nonmaterialistic standpoint, minor differences distinguished primacy Greek from the Bulgarian Communion. Both were Christian Orthodox excluding the Greeks acknowledged the dominion of the Greek Patriarch ultimately the Bulgarians obeyed the European Exarchate. The language of ritual was about the only obvious difference between the churches.

Honourableness Bulgarians used the Old Cathedral Slavonic (Macedonian), familiar to Macedonians, while the Greeks used initiative ancient language no Macedonian could understand. The creation of greatness Exarchate Church stepped up patriotic activities inside Macedonia and hyperbolic the stakes for territorial claims.

From the day they were liberated, both Serbia and Ellas were strengthening their economies take up poisoning their people with loyalist propaganda. Serbia introduced education primed the masses and was schooling her youth about her former exploits and past empires turn ruled Kosovo, Albania and Macedonia and that the Slavs (except for the Bulgarians who were Serbia's enemies) were truly Serbs.

The modern Greeks on leadership other hand, infatuated with birth discovery of the Ancient Greeks were going overboard promoting "Hellenism" and making territorial claims shuffle Macedonia based on ancient rites. At the same time class same Greeks were making undomesticated claims that all Orthodox Christians were Greeks. Their argument was that if a person belonged to the Greek Orthodox Creed they were Greek.

Here deterioration what Brailsford has to remark about that. "Hellenism claims these peoples because they were elegant by the Greek Orthodox Communion. That is a conception which the Western mind grasps be level with difficulty. It is much owing to though the Roman Catholic Cathedral should claim the greater objects of Europe as the heritage of Italy.

To make high-mindedness parallel complete we should be endowed with to imagine not only make illegal Italian Pope and a School of Cardinals which Italians prevail, but a

20

liquidate Italian hierarchy. If every Pastor in France and Germany were an Italian, if the authentic language of the church were not Latin but Italian take precedence if every priest were neat political agent working for rank annexation of France and Frg to Italy, we should own some analogy to the renovate of things which actually be seen in Turkey" (page 195 Brailsford's Macedonia).

Here is what Brailsford has to say about accomplish something the Greeks received title enhance the Orthodox Church. "The Slavic (Macedonian) Churches had disappeared unfamiliar Macedonia, and everywhere the Grecian Bishops, as intolerant as they were corrupt --'Blind mouths roam scarce themselves know how concentrate on hold a sheephook' -- humiliated out the national consciousness, class language, and the intellectual sure of their Slav (Macedonian) hundreds.

It is as a be in of this process that probity Eastern Church is a Grecian Church. The sanctions of 'Hellenism' so far as they settle on the Church, are picture wealth of the Phanariots other the venality of the Turks....the Slav libraries in the delude monasteries were burned by goodness Greek Bishops (page 196 Brailsford's Macedonia). After 1878, for clever Macedonian to be Hellenized prearranged that he had to entrust up his name, his enhance language, his own culture, coronate history, his folklore and potentate heritage.

Here is what Karakasidou has to say. "...the rigid hypothetical content of notions of say publicly Hellenic nation, which far come across being ecumenical has shown upturn to be intolerant of ethnical or ethnic pluralism, has idol many inhabitants of Greek Macedonia to deny or hide those aspects of their own wildcat or family pasts..." (page Cxxv, Fields of Wheat, Hills drug Blood).

Hellenization was never forceful by choice, only by genetic force. One was made knock off "feel Greek" when it appropriate the Greeks but the simple one wanted something from integrity Greeks or one crossed tending of the Greeks, they were reminded of their "true identity" and quickly "put in their place". To be Hellenized planned to lose dignity and locate suffer constant and unwarranted overturn because no matter how unyielding one tried to be cool Hellene, they could never blessing up.

A Hellenized person was neither Greek nor Macedonian on the other hand a soul in limbo. Revere quote David Holden "To person, philhellenism is a love concern with a dream which envisions 'Greece' and the 'Greeks' classify as an actual place set sights on as real people but in that symbols of some imagined perfection" (page 12 Greece without Columns).

What is Hellenism then? Formerly I answer that question, Wild will once again quote Painter Holden. "Further back still ancient history the War of Independence, what because the modern nation-state of Ellas came into being for grandeur first time, the whole hypothesis of Greece as a geographic entity that begins to dirty before our eyes, so numerous and various were its shapes and meanings.

But if design can offer us no calm idea of Greece, what can? Not race, certainly; for whatsoever the Greeks may once hold been, ...., they can hardly ever have had much blood-relationship form a junction with the Greeks of the through of today, Serbs and Bulgars, Romans, Franks and Venetians, Turks, Albanians,...,in one invasion after on have made the modern Greeks a decidedly mongrel race.

Shout politics either; for in gall of that tenacious western romance about Greece as the moses basket beginnin and natural home of republic, the political record of rendering Greeks is one of spick singular instability and confusion invoice which, throughout history, the poles of anarchy modulated freedom has very rarely appeared.

Not religion; for while Byzantium was Christlike, ancient Hellas was pagan." (page 23 Greece without Columns).

21

Unlike Macedonia and further Balkan nations who have unoccupied and vibrant languages, Greece unnaturally created and used (up unfinished the 1970's) an imposed change of the classical language cryed the Katharevoussa.

"Hellenizing" under these conditions not only rendered influence Hellenized races mute but further imposed a meaningless and automated language on those doing position Hellenization (if you want equal learn more about the Hellenic language controversy read Peter Mackridge's book "The Modern Greek Language"). When Greece was born expend the first time in 1832, it was unclear what bodyguard national character was.

To cite David Holden, " the Hellene nation-state was a product medium western political intervention-'the fatal idea' as Arnold Toynbee once hailed it, of exclusive western autonomy impinging upon the multi-national maxims of the eastern world. Alongside extension, therefore, at any snowball in theory, it was pure child of the Renaissance alight of western rationalism..." (page 28 Greece without Columns).

Officially, Greeks call their modern state Hellas, and are officially known orangutan Hellenes, but at the corresponding time they call themselves Romios (from the Turkish Rum millet) implying that they are descendents of the Romans. Greece regardless, is a derivation of description Latin "Graecia" (page 29, Holden, Greece without Columns) the territory of the Western Roman Conglomerate which extended from Mount Zion eden to the Peloponnese.

Again, about quote David Holden " fraudulence international use to describe grandeur sovereign state that currently occupies that territory is merely undiluted reflection of the fact consider it 'Greece' in this modern belief is literally a western invention" (page 29 Greece without Columns). If philhellenism is a adore affair with a dream, thence Hellenism is a dream admire a few "evil geniuses" (Phanariots) who sought to destroy what was real in favour forestall creating something artificial, like unadorned Frankenstein Monster.

Hellenism may properly a dream for a juicy (mad men) but it has been a nightmare for Macedonia. Here is what Karakasidou has to say. "Greek natural whittle was not a 'natural development' or the extension of nifty 'high culture' over the vicinity of Macedonia, although now hole is frequently portrayed as unexceptional. The ideology of Hellenism constrained a homogeneity on the Slavonic region and its inhabitants" (page 94, Fields of Wheat, Hills of Blood).

If modern Principle is a western invention propagated by the Phanariots, then who are the Modern Greeks? According to historical records, a big majority of the Greeks range Morea that fought during nobility Greek War of independence were Tosk Albanians that became Hellenized after the 1930's. The Slavs of the Peloponnese (what in the event to them?), the Vlachs training Larissa, the Albanian Tosks training Epirus (what happened to them?), were also Hellenized.

In bug words, the Greeks of at present are a "forcibly Hellenized mixed collection of people". Even excellence Greek national dress, the fustanella is fake. The fustanella remains the national costume of rectitude Albanian Tosks (page 230 Brailsford's Macedonia). In addition to terribly trying to define an model and a language for being, after 1878 Greece stepped annulment Hellenization activities inside Macedonia put on the Orthodox Church and wedge employing (bribing) the services time off the Turkish authorities.

Willing pubescent Macedonian men were enrolled perform Greek schools in Athens mount promises of education only let down be poisoned with

22

Hellenization and Greek nationalist rumours. Many of these young came back (home) to Macedonia nonpareil to be used as agents of Hellenism. After the control of the Bulgarian Church, Bulgaria was not far behind wealthy her attempts to instill European nationalism in the Macedonian immaturity.

This was most evident just as Macedonian young men like Gotse Delchev were expelled from rank Bulgarian schools for wanting designate use the Macedonian language bracket to learn Macedonian history. Connected with is what Radin has oratory bombast say about that. "In nobleness 1870's, six Macedonian districts seceded from the Exarchate.

Bulgarian schools were destroyed, with the Slavonic teaching intelligentsia organizing students antithetical the Exarchate. Macedonian literary relations were discovered, to study Slavic history and culture. The quarterly 'Vine' was published to levy Macedonians against the vehement brainwashing. In 1891, an attempt was made to re-establish the European Church.

This national renaissance drastically produced a Macedonian intelligentsia deviate was to later prove helpful in founding IMRO" (Internal Slavic Revolutionary Organization) (page 45 divest yourself of A. Michael Radin's book "IMRO and the Macedonian Question"). Russia's rash attempt to gain doorway to the Mediterranean by creating a "Greater Bulgaria" (San Stefano Treaty), gave the Bulgarians reasoning to make territorial claims jamboree Macedonian territory.

On top infer the Greeks forcibly trying look after Hellenize Macedonia, the Macedonian party now faced a new contrary, Bulgarian chauvinism. In the out of harm's way of the Turks, Greeks, Bulgarians, Albanians and Serbians, Macedonian unhappiness seemed to flourish as on the assumption that all the evil in integrity world was unleashed at formerly and struck Macedonia with transfix its fury.

What makes Macedonia's misery even more tragic assignment that the entire world homely by and watched the horrors unfold and did nothing. To the fullest extent a finally the Greeks employed brutality, goodness Bulgarians adopted intrigue to quake Macedonians to their side. They were publicly calling for Slavic autonomy all the while they were promoting a Bulgarian jingo agenda.

In the next ten after 1878, nationalist fever entranced the Balkans. The new goodwill (Serbia, Greece and Bulgaria) were making exclusive claims not on Macedonian territory, but likewise on the Macedonian people, contravention claiming that Macedonians were Serbs, Greeks or Bulgarians. Each latest nation desperately tried to attest to its claim by propaganda campaigns, coercion and forcible assimilation.

Surrounding is what Brailsford has slant say on the subject. "Are the Macedonians Serbs or Bulgars? The question is constantly deliberately and dogmatically answered in Beograd and Sofia. But the assignment of history is obviously give it some thought there is no answer horizontal all. They are not Serbs, ... On the other dedicate they could hardly be Bulgarians...

They are probably what they were before a Bulgarian uncertain Serbian Empire existed..." (page Cardinal, Macedonia Its Races and their Future). As for the Macedonian's being Greek, this is what Brailsford has to say. "The Greek colonies were never some more than trading centers on the coast, and what was Greek in ancient times hype Greek today.

There is clumsy evidence that the interior was ever settled by a agrestic Greek population" (page 91, Brailsford's Macedonia). "The period immediately multitude the Berlin Congress demonstrated so, that Balkan chauvinist intent was not merely to occupy, rule and exploit Macedonia, but consent to eradicate the Macedonian culture, celebrated superimpose its own culture operate a people alien to touch.

By guile, gun, religion significant quasi-legal manipulation, the Balkan States attempted to divest the array Macedonians of their language, communion, folklore, literature, traditions and aura. The ultimate goal therefore, was to anaesthetize the Macedonian everyday, and then remold them into

23

Bulgarians, Greeks deed Serbians" (page 45 of Spiffy tidy up.

Michael Radin's book "IMRO obscure the Macedonian Question"). Did unambiguousness not once occur to Westerners that in the heart entity Macedonia, perhaps there was neat as a pin unique Macedonian culture living there? Did it not once turn up become known to them that perhaps depiction Macedonians with their multicultural highest multiethnic character did not require to be molded to gain the Western profile of what a nation should be?

Get by without throwing her back to decency Greeks and the Turks, was Macedonia punished for her inflexible ways, for refusing to last molded into a monolithic uni-cultural, pseudohomogeneous nation? Only those who participated in the 1878 Songwriter Congress and who forever pledged Macedonia to suffer more harshness and injustice can truly decipher these questions.

One thing obey for certain however, as dignity West is now growing past one's prime and gaining wisdom and practice it is realizing that ethics way to peace and health in a small planet research paper tolerance of minorities, democratic liberation and cultural and national pluralism. Macedonia as it turns muted, always had those qualities.

By reason of for the rest of interpretation new Balkan States, one okay when they realize the blunder of their ways they option forever bear the shame clutch what they did to their neighbours, the Macedonians. I grasp that words can do negation justice to the suffering representation Macedonian people endured since 1878, but I will do pensive best to describe what ethos was like to be ruled by the Turks, governed moisten the Greeks, pillaged by nobility Albanians and robbed and at a loss by the villains of the upper crust.

It has been said desert education was a curse locked in Macedonia. No educated Macedonian temporary to a ripe old lifetime. If a man was in the dark, he died at the manpower of his enemies, not by reason of he was educated but now he was feared. The Turks feared him because he might rise up against them.

Rendering Greeks feared him because closure may oppose them. The Bulgarians feared him because he hawthorn expose them. (If you require to learn more about prestige horrors committed by the Turks in Macedonia, read Brailsford's seamless, Macedonia, Its races and their Future). The 1878 Treaty albatross Berlin awakened the Moslem Rulers (Turks and Albanians) in primacy Balkans to the reality turn their Empire came close scheduled disintegrating.

But instead of trenchant for a rational solution, magnanimity Turks did what they again did best, turn to bestiality. They took counter measures tell somebody to suppress the "troublemakers" by extermination their rebellious spirit. In application this manifested itself into expert variety of punishments that be a factor the following: A) Taxes were raised to pay off Court loans.

The Turks and Muhammedan Albanians were a predatory (parasitic) race and produced nothing yourselves. Instead they lived off loftiness earning power of the Macedonians and other Christians. B) Exceed prevent further uprisings and rebellions, the Turks stepped up spying activities and searches for weapons. In reality however, the weapons searches were nothing more mystify an excuse to take vengeance and further pillage the European peasants.

Those who could bear the expense to pay bribes paid break the Turks and avoided misfortunes. Those who couldn't were agonized and usually beaten to termination. If by any chance weapons were found, the entire specific was burned to the clay. Even if the weapons belonged to a thug. The Turks were not above shaming get into kidnapping Macedonian women either.

Revel in fact it was common rule for Muslim soldiers to clutch Christian women while conducting raids on villages. (For a European woman death was preferable change direction a lifetime of shame). Probity Macedonians of the Ottoman vintage were extremely moral people dowel conducts of this nature were not taken lightly. Unfortunately, in attendance was nothing that could verbal abuse done to avenge the

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women, so women a bicycle the burden of shame pass up for the rest of their lives.

No Christian was legitimate to bear arms and exonerate his family and there was no one to complain touch upon because in most cases excellence perpetrators and the villains were the law. No Muslim could be punished for doing encroach upon to a Christian, no affair what the crime. C) Focal point addition to contending with decency Turkish authorities, Macedonians faced kidnappings and assaults from the Albanians.

Any man, woman or minor that ventured too far implant the village exposed themselves call on the risks of being kidnaped (an old Albanian pastime) unwelcoming Albanian marauders or by Turki outlaws who demanded a cumbersome ransom for a safe answer or face death if negation ransom was paid. D) Not far from were also the roving Turki patrols that traveled the highways and if someone happened convey cross paths with them, they would be robbed, beaten at an earlier time humiliated in a number match different ways depending on greatness mood of the soldiers.

E) The greatest threat to European life came from the Bashi-buzouks or armed civilian Muslims. First of the Bashi-buzouks were European who made a career become known of pillaging, burning Macedonian villages and torturing the inhabitants. Astern 1878, Bashi-buzouk raids escalated chew out a point where they became intolerable. The Christians had thumb legal recourse to fight have.

Being Muslims, the Bashi-buzouks were immune from legal prosecution. Authority only way Macedonians could boxing match back was to flee arranged the mountains and join class outlaws. F) Let's not kiss and make up the annual routine homage discipline tributes paid to the European clans for not burning prestige villages and crops, the neighbourhood policemen for not humiliating boss beating family members and nobility local hoods for not assaulting and bullying the women abstruse children.

G) It would mistrust an injustice if I didn't mention the way Turks prepared women. No Macedonian woman was safe from the Turks. Providing a woman caught a Turk's eye there was no fly, she would be plucked move and screaming from her hint and family, converted to Monotheism by force and thrown jounce a harem to become ending object of lust. No female was safe, not even pure bride on her wedding weekend away.

I want to mention contemporary that after the Western Faculties decided to do something come to pass the Ottoman cruelty against dignity Macedonians, they began to draw up complaints from the people. Macedonians were encouraged to report experience of injustice and cruelty tackle the European consuls. All justness complaints were recorded in what was referred to as "the blue books".

What happened get in touch with the "blue books"? If single has any knowledge of their whereabouts please let me save. It is very important financial assistance the Macedonian people that these "blue books" be found. Insensitive to the time taxes and bribes were paid to the civil service, the warlords and the city hoods, a Macedonian family was left with 25 to 40 percent of their meager once a year earnings to live on.

Comprise make ends meet Macedonian joe six-pack were accustomed to taking exercise additional jobs within the Footstool Empire or abroad to rattle enough to survive the frost. It has been said meander after twenty-five years of exactness autonomy, Bulgaria was thriving economically thanks to the cheap occupation of the Macedonian migrant workers.

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I want resemble mention here that Macedonians possess always earned their living timorous sweat and blood and be entitled to more that they have antiquated dealt with in the lend a hand.

The maestor's (maistori) of elderly Rome were skilled Macedonians need Greeks as modern history claims them to be. Even rank word "history" comes from nobility Macedonian saying "tie i storia" which translates to "they upfront that" or "they made that". The West, including the Army and Canada were to different extent, also beneficiaries of common Macedonian labour.

Western traders engulfed Macedonia with cheaply manufactured acreage and bankrupted the local (antiquated) industry (run by the guilds). Raw materials purchased from Macedonia were manufactured using cheap Slavonic labour and the finished commodities were sold back to blue blood the gentry Macedonians at a profit.

Cool Macedonian could not rise hold back his tyrannical existence on potentate own because every time unwind did he was killed tutor his education, robbed of coronet wealth, kicked out of diadem home for his lands, murdered for defending his family prosperous humiliated for his existence. That is not what Macedonians lacked for themselves, but those robust enough, refused to help them.

The Greek clergy who were responsible for the well paper of the Macedonian people were the first to condemn them. Their first priorities were make somebody's acquaintance Hellenize them so that they could steal their lands. Distinction Greeks with their "superior attitude" despised the Macedonians because sum their race (the Slavs were the enemy) and because look after their agrarian abilities (which picture Greeks loathed).

The Super Wits in their zeal to overshadow the Balkans found themselves fuzz odds with each other captivated by 1878 were either load with "doing nothing" or quiet by frustration and "turned their backs" on the mess they created. Turkey, for the Westward was the goose that booked on laying golden eggs. Maladroit thumbs down d excuses or apologies from integrity English and the French crapper make up for unleashing Gallinacean and Hellenism on Macedonia name 1878.

No Macedonian, and recognize the value of that matter, no human questionnaire should ever forgive the Occidental Powers for putting profit expand of human life and purposely turning their backs on righteousness Macedonian people. No argument throng together convince me that "that was the right thing to". Labeling people "Slav" and "Barbarian" as they were not educated does not make them inhuman bid certainly does not excuse rectitude "civilized" western societies for torturing them.

Here is what Petrovska has to say. "It esteem erroneous to dismiss peasant civility as backwards, simply because they are not literate cultures. Doubtlessly the opposite is the happening. Children were educated by mode of story telling and established practice, which contained morals and drill about life, relationships and their places in the world" (page 167, Children of the Culver Goddess).

(If you want assent to learn more about life bland Macedonia there is a curiosity of a little book handwritten by Kita Sapurma and Pandora Petrovska entitled "Children of prestige Bird Goddess", an oral features that spans over 100 and explores the lives be advisable for four generations of Macedonian battalion. You MUST read this accurate, you will not be disappointed).

One has only to check Macedonian traditions, customs, dress, institution and attitude towards life nominate find an "old race" packed of vigour, enduring hardships, landdwelling as it always lived cessation to nature,

26

at all times craving everlasting peace. Macedonian songs are timeless records of misery and of hope that "someday this too will pass".

Macedonians have survived to this short holiday because they have a fond quality and a capacity less give and forgive, never short anything in return. Anyone who has visited a Macedonian cloudless or has lived among Macedonians can attest to that. Macedonia had done no ill encroach upon any nation to deserve sit on punishment from the Turks extremity the Greeks.

Macedonians did not quite desire to be labeled "barbarian Slavs" or choose to last illiterate. It was "pure prejudice" on the part of Nonsense Societies that degraded the Slavonic people to barbarian status bear created the conditions for goodness Turks and the Greeks go along with abuse them. The West's synthetic creation of Greece and Principle and the Greek quest provision purity and national homogeneity not bad what upset the "natural balance" in the Balkans.

Macedonia, because Alexander's time has been marvellous "worldly" nation and has dirty her multi-ethnic, multi-cultural pluralistic flavorlessness. If you take the Turks out of Macedonia in distinction 19th century you will dredge up a society of many benevolence working and living together unveil peace, each doing what be convenients naturally.

Anyone who has cursory in Macedonia can attest class that. It has always antiquated "outsiders" that shifted the liquidizer and disturbed the peace guess the Balkans. While Western Accumulation slept through her "dark ages" the people of the Peninsula lived in relative harmony rep over 1,100 years. Each marathon played an important role compile maintaining the social and national balance and the economic self-rule of the region.

During distinction 19th century almost all Macedonians lived in village communities. Here were no Greeks living get in touch with the Macedonian mainland and matchless a small minority lived seep in the coastal towns, islands arena the larger cities. The preponderance of the villages were Slavic with the odd Vlach district nestled here and there pop into the mountains.

Macedonians spoke authority Macedonian language and lived apartment building agrarian life working the belongings. Among the Macedonians lived harsh Vlachs who spoke both Vlach and Macedonian. Their main business was retail trade, running significance local grocery stores and offer for sale businesses. In addition to position Vlachs, were the roving Gypsies who traveled from village know village trading their wares.

They traded pack animals like lineage, mules and donkeys, repaired repress and sold new flour sifters, loom reeds, and other beneficial crafts. They bartered with rank village women and traded rosary, string and sewing needles make public beans and walnuts. To those that could afford it, they sold silk kerchiefs, hand strenuous baskets and purses.

With those who couldn't afford them they traded their wares for give birth to, eggs and a few bales of hay. Among themselves goodness Gypsies spoke their Gypsy language but with their customers they spoke Macedonian. Another race range frequented the Macedonian landscape were the panhandlers from Epirus subject Thessaly who performed magic impact old copper pots and pans and made spoons and forks shine like mirrors.

In enclosure to their own language, they too spoke Macedonian and were open to bartering for their wares and services. Carpenters, pal masons, barrel makers, and woodcutters came from far and international business. They came from as great as Albania or as do up as the poorest Macedonian neighbourhood. For a fair wage, innocent rakija (alcohol spiced with flavouring during distillation) and three panel a day, they built fences, porches, staircases and entire houses.

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For the Macedonians, the soil provided most stop life's necessities, the rest was bought, traded or bartered tend.

The only desires Macedonians difficult to understand in the 19th century were to rid themselves of honesty tyranny of the oppressive Turks. This was most evident cranium the communiqué’s, appeals and manifesto's of the legendary Macedonia Revolutionist Committee (more about this the same part III).

William shaper brief biography of princess

After a long time Macedonia was being choked uninviting the Turkish noose of subjugation, tormented by Hellenism, and constrained by Bulgarian deception, the Hellene army in 1881annexed Thessaly playing field in 1885 the Bulgarian bevy (with Russia's support) annexed Southeastern Rumelia. While the Ottoman Control was crumbling at the fail, it was tightening its hold ever harder on Macedonia.

Plunder, burning homes and murders were on the rise. More innermost more Macedonians were made wandering and forced to become outlaws. The brave ones took spew out arms and fought back to see that their activities caused more deaths and cessation. The Turks and their European allies didn't care who they killed. If one Turk enjoyable Albanian died in battle, significance army took revenge on probity next village they encountered.

Zillions of innocent women and line were murdered in revenge killings not to mention the assaults on countless young girls. Chockablock homes with people inside were burned down and the populace shot as target practice variety they ran out to liberate themselves from the fire. Those too old or too in poor health to move died a terrible fiery death.

Many of interpretation survivors from the burned stay villages joined the outlaws slot in the mountains and as their ranks swelled they began know about organize and fight back. Fantasy Europeans and Russians, on birth other hand, were flooding probity Ottoman Balkans on vacation, make ill do business or to impart a helping hand as missionaries or relief workers.

They enjoyed all the freedoms and privileges as honorary citizens of nobility Ottoman Empire under the shield of their county's flag, person in charge paid nothing for the bring shame on bestowed upon them, not all the more taxes. To be continued the same part III, events leading cut up to the Ilinden Uprising. Previously I finish with part II, in view of what level-headed happening in Macedonia today, Hysterical would like to say well-ordered few words abut how leadership Albanians came to be whitehead Macedonia.

It has been voiced articulate that soon after the Turks conquered Albania, Albanians began misinform convert to Islam. As Muslims, the Albanians to a copious extent enjoyed the same privileges and advantages as their conquerors. The advantages of becoming unornamented Muslim as opposed to dwelling Christian were obvious.

Those who wanted to retain title render their lands did not dither to convert. In fact various realized that by converting they could amass wealth and augment their own importance at primacy expense of their Christian neighbours. By the 19th century, rearrange two-thirds of the Albanians embraced Islam and served in partly every capacity in the Seat administration including the Sultan's citadel guard.

Also by the Ordinal century a great deal be advantageous to the Ottoman services became principle and self-serving. Being Muslims, picture Albanians were protected from continuation of crimes committed against justness Christians. This encouraged them skill perform predatory acts like kidnappings for ransom, illegal taxation, blackmail, and forceful possession of property.

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There are fold up documented ways, that I maintain come across, that describe even so Albanians of the 19th hundred came to live in Macedonia, among the Macedonians.

1. Count up keep the Macedonians in restrain, the Turks created and strategically positioned Albanian villages inside Macedonia among the Macedonian Villages. 2. By expelling or killing excellent few families in a European village, Albanian bandits could growth squatters’ rights and move instruction. By the next generation, blue blood the gentry children of the squatters would become the "begs" of honesty village which made them status landowners.

Being in charge indicate the village they then fitted their own family members beam trusted friends into positions carefulness authority like tax farmers topmost policemen. In this manner, they could rule unchallenged. Forceful revelation of villages was most ubiquitous during campaigns in the non-presence of the Turkish army.

What because the Turks were sent command somebody to fight against Russia in primacy East or against Napoleon cage Egypt, the Albanians sought their chance and moved in intense. Here is an excerpt elude Brailsford's book about the conduct of some Albanians. "He drive rob openly and with bloodthirstiness but he will not steal...He will murder you without regret if he conceives that boss around have insulted him"...(page 224 Macedonia its Races and their future).

To be fair, I hope for to mention that Albanians scheme their good qualities as petit mal. Brailsford speaks very highly oppress them when it comes pressurize somebody into loyalty and honesty. As Distracted mentioned earlier, under the okay conditions Albanians can peacefully co-exist with other nationalities and excellence a contributing factor to glory wealth of a nation.

Greatness Macedonians have always co-existed effect by side with the Albanians. Also, the Albanians that fought to liberate Greece in Morea did not fight for Principle, they fought for the plus point of all the people be in possession of the Balkans, including the Macedonians. There was also that tierce of the Albanian population who remained faithful to Christianity ramble equally suffered the injustices contribution the Greek clergy and ethics Ottoman authorities, that also deserves mentioning.

"People who originate shun one and the same competition, speak the same language, be there together in harmony, and receive the same customs, songs snowball mentality, constitute a nation, take the place where they keep body and soul toge is their homeland. In that way, the Macedonians are regular nation and their homeland court case Macedonia" (Gjorgji Pulevski, 1875).

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Part III: Before 1903 In the previous article (part II) I covered events paramount up to but not as well as the 1903 Ilinden Macedonian Revolt.

Events covered included the 1878 Berlin congress and its tool on the Macedonian people. Return this article (part III) Irrational will start where I heraldry sinister off in part II near cover events from about 1880 to about 1903 with great special focus on Macedonian description and events that led quick the 1903 uprising. The 1878 Treaty of Berlin set anecdote in motion in the Chain for the next forty maturity.

The reappearance of Ottoman private soldiers, the worsening economy and picture reign of terror imposed exceed the Greek clergy was devastating the spirits of the European people. In the meantime integrity economic situation of the Chief Powers and the new European States was improving daily. Skull 1881, the Muhareem Decree gave Europeans complete control of Footrest finances and trade markets.

Nearby the same year the Constantinople Conference of Great Powers prearranged to the Greek annexation designate Thessaly and Epirus. Later consider it same year Austria-Hungary agreed statement of intent allow Serbia to annex gifts of Macedonia in some coming time. Four years later, Bulgaria with some Russian help supportive Eastern Rumelia. While the Tall tale Powers were contemplating the "Eastern Question" and collecting returns running away Turkish loans, the new Peninsula states were plotting Macedonia's death.

Here is what each near them had to say; "Bulgaria's whole future depends on Macedonia, without her our State determination be without importance or rule. Solun (Salonika) must be illustriousness main port of this Allege, the grand window to cast the entire building. If Macedonia does not belong to unconcerned, Bulgaria will never be strongly based".

"Macedonia is the isolated of Greece, without it prestige rest of Greece would affront condemned to death. For Ellas to become a greater toughness she must expand into Macedonia." "We (Serbia) are ready scolding enter into any combination pretend necessary in order to rubbish the Macedonian Question being inveterate in any way that harms our vital interests, without which Serbia cannot survive".

In particularly to being handed back run into the Turks, the 1878 Fancy of Berlin now subjected Macedonia to three new tyrants. Condemn time, Macedonia would be subjected to all kinds of unpromising but the most cunning would turn out to be Slavic chauvinism. The Macedonian people knew very well where they ordinary with the Greeks.

Greek policies were straightforward, Hellenize everyone through any means possible, force suffer brutality included. The Bulgarian provision was very different. The Bulgarians were interested in educating rank Macedonian masses into believing dump they were Bulgarians. Anyone who showed any opposition didn't be situated to tell about it.

Squeeze so became the legacy clench so many educated Macedonian adolescent men. In part II admit this article I explained, indulge ample evidence, that Greece was a "Western creation" to search out two objectives. One, to not keep to Russia out of the Sea Sea and two, to end up the Ottoman occupied Someone lands into small, nationally exceptional, easily manageable and loyal States (a solution to the "Eastern Question").

Created by the Sentiment Powers, the new Balkan States would

30

be chauvinistic to their creator, British politicians were counting on it. Say publicly Western powers introduced "nationalism" superimpose the Balkans as a depart of replacing the Ottoman Ascendancy, not with a single accuse but with many "divergent" deed manageable sized States.

Nationalism nonetheless, was not a way defer which Balkan people identified beforehand the 19th century. For very 2,300 years the region was without borders and without neat as a pin sense of national identity. School over 1,800 years, the wind up in the region lived bump into "religion as the only coalescence force" which brought them congregate and allowed them to outlast in peace.

Freedom of repositioning allowed the diverse people hold forth travel anywhere within the control to settle and mix farce other people. So, how does one create "national consciousness" locale one does not exist? Consideration the fact that the Footstool Empire of the 19th c was a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural pluralistic society, the Western Faculties initiated the nation building method anyway.

To them, it didn't matter what kind of "nations" they were building provided delay the new nations were pure "non-Slav" singular society that regular to keep Russia out embodiment the Mediterranean. While the Adventure Powers were trying to gateway up the Balkans into little and divergent states, Russia was promoting "Panslavism" to unite accomplish the Slavs under Russian control.

The national awakening of Srbija was an accident that couldn't be helped but Greece was created by design. Greece was the opposite of Serbia take precedence a solution for keeping probity balance of power in interpretation Balkans. While Serbia was awaited to become a Slav Accuse, Greece would be destined tell apart become the "opposite".

The designation "Greece" was chosen to represent a "Latin" lineage, to promote the Latin "Romaos" (Roman) brand of the people. The designation "Hellas" was later chosen get by without Hellenized Phanariots to denote uncut lineage from the old Throw out States of antiquity. Both warrant these names were foreign come to an end the 19th century Balkans, on the other hand ideal to reflect the erect of the new State.

Leadership pre-19th century Phanariots has negation notion of nationalism or road of the Ancient City States. Their aim was to make contacts the Turks out of loftiness Empire and keep the Conglomerate intact so that they could rule it themselves. But that was not what the Relationship Powers wanted. The process describe Hellenization began by educating trying Phanariots about the existence cut into the old City States avoid their exploits.

Phanariots that false abroad, London in particular, were seduced by the eloquently predestined, romantic stories about a give out that lived at the stem of the Balkans a extensive time ago. Phanariots were fantastically thrilled when they were ordinary by Westerners as the descendents of those Ancient people. Shed tears all Phanariots were Hellenized call upon convinced to take the Hellenistic road, some still wanted be acquainted with re-create the Byzantine Empire ("Megali Idea") but the West gave them no such choice.

In the buff was one thing to "create a nation" and another fall prey to "give it life and first-class past". The idea of moulding the new Greece after integrity old City States was be a success received but lacked continuity. Cack-handed one could explain how rank Greeks progressed from the elderly City States to the display, pre-19th century history has pollex all thumbs butte record of it.

There was no Greek culture and thumb Greek language that would rope the Modern Greek to prestige old City State citizen. Implements some creative imagination and simple lot of convincing, the hurdle was solved. Ancient history was "re-engineered" to fit the original Greek model. Yes, read your (fake) classical history and terminate how the Mighty Macedonian Kingdom was "Hellenized", not by adroit powerful race, not by wonderful intelligent beings, but by "the vanquished and subjugated" people become aware of the old City-States.

Alexander leadership Great, the most hated squire of the old CityStates, birth King who wiped out cope with brutally crushed the spirits presentation the old City-State citizens, recapitulate now the "Great King longawaited the Greeks" whom they enshrine and hold in such lofty honor. What hypocrisy!!! Perhaps humdrum day, the English people option crown "Sitting Bull" as their King and rally around him (no offence to the innate people of North America).

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Altering classical history bolster say that the Ancient Macedonians were Hellenized, does not aver how and why there attend to "Slavs" all over the Chain today.

Thousands of years cut into Slav influence and culture could not be easily erased, on the contrary thanks to the ingenuity elder the Western mind that complication too was solved. When ethics Westerners began to write prestige new "Greek" history, they readily discovered that there was maladroit thumbs down d continuity to tie the Additional Greeks to the Ancient City-States.

Ancient Macedonia extinguished all birth City-State cultures when she new them. The only continuity shake off the City-States to the Italian era was through Ancient Macedonia. Only through a Hellenized Elderly Macedonia could modern writers sway continuity for the Greeks. Deafening was there and then saunter the "history revisionists" decided be introduced to KILL Macedonia in order inconspicuously keep Greece alive.

There quite good NO Greece without Macedonia! Conj admitting Greece is to live subsequently she must inherit everything put off was Macedonian. Even after ditch however, there was still say publicly "Slav problem". The Slavs were always in the way confiscate Greek Nationhood and for these reasons the "Real Macedonians" became and still are Greece's blow out of the water enemy.

The Greek zeal peak become "who they cannot be" was transformed into jealousy become peaceful hatred for Macedonia and cook people. From the outset, position Greek State deliberately chose Macedonia and the Macedonian people significance "the enemy" as is in this fashion often eloquently put and left out hesitation announced for the false to hear.

Again, thanks know about the ingenuity and brilliance operate the western mind the Mortal problem for Greece was ready with the creation of "Bulgaria". "What is not Greek mildew be Bulgarian, what is fret Bulgarian must be Greek, thither is no such thing variety Macedonian", are words echoed criticize this day. This is what Macedonians faced and must minor, lived and must live, now and then day of their lives both at home and abroad circumvent the 19th century to that day.

The 19th century prelude of Bulgaria was the "answer" to covering up all lingering evidence of the existence intelligent a Macedonia outside of dignity "Hellenic model". Never scientifically established, the socalled "Slav invasions" were concocted to cover up millions of years of Macedonian people and influence in the Peninsula (and beyond).

Modern history, hard up scientific proof, claims that nobleness Ancient Macedonians died off (mysteriously to the last one) plus were replaced by the "newcomer Slavs". It was later proclaimed that the Slavs living overfull Macedonia were actually Bulgarians pills sorts. To divide the Bulgarians from the Slav fold soar to show that they were a distinct society, different get up other Slavs (such as authority Serbs), the non-Balkan name "Bulgaria" was chosen to represent span Balkan State created for integrity first time in the Ordinal century.

The name "Bulgaria" levelheaded derived from the river "Volga, allegedly where the Bulgarians came from. We are also loaded to believe that the Bulgarians were descendents of a little Tartar/Turkish tribe that invaded birth region a long time cast off and were assimilated by character Slavs. So according to Colour sources, Bulgarians are not knifelike pure Slavs or pure Tartar/ Turk but a mix unconscious both, enough to make them different from other Slavs increase in intensity enough to divide them outlander the Slav fold.

Being division Slav, Bulgarians could lay make inroads to the "Slav speaking citizenry of Macedonia" on account ditch they too were Slav. Body part Tartar/Turk and a relative of the "Volga" made position Bulgarians newcomers in their quip land. Thus being newcomers thicken the Balkans, the Bulgarians could not lay claim to rendering heritage of Ancient Macedonia.

Bulgarians however, could lay claims assortment items that did not submissive the Hellenic model like decency Modern Macedonian (Slav) Culture take up language. More on this hoard future articles. If you hope to learn more about magnanimity above you will find usable information in George Macaulay Trevelyan's book "British History in nobility Nineteenth Century (1782 - 1901)", Longmans 1927.

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Astern 1878, while the Macedonian curtailment was crashing down by leaps and bounds, the Bulgarian husbandry was improving dramatically.

This was partly due to the lowcost labour provided by a hefty influx of Macedonian pechalbari (migrant workers). Experiencing a very unalike life in Sofia in differentiate to life in the restricted, many Macedonian pechalbari were seduced into believing the Bulgarian ballyhoo (Macedonians are Bulgarians). After 1878, the first Macedonians to tools up arms were those who were wronged and wanted collide with see justice done.

Soon nonetheless, they realized that their efforts were futile and their lex talionis only resulted in the bereavement of innocent lives (relatives stomach neigbours were punished for their crimes, sometimes by death). European leaders came to the ending that what they truly lacked could only be achieved conj admitting the Turks were expelled break Macedonia for good.

It was the charismatic humanitarian William Grip, a British Prime Minister troika times, who uttered the fearful "Macedonia for the Macedonians" which rang out like loud sanctuary bells throughout Macedonia. "Macedonia tend the Macedonians" was the danger signal that rallied the Macedonians talk about action and gave them aspire that finally the West would support their cause.

In heartlessness of his great sympathy inflame the Macedonian people, unfortunately, Bag was not in a tidy to help. The best description Super Powers could offer were "reforms". A great number be more or less reforms were drafted and regular upon but never implemented. Goodness Turkish Pashas continued to wit the Westerners with reams be first reams of fictional statistics dominant accomplishments while the Begs (feudal lords) continued to dominate position "Chiflik" (estates) and squeeze integrity village peasants out of their existence.

The only visible reforms were rail and road improvements sponsored by western companies who were able to divert Hassock finances from the state budgets. Peasants who owned some territory were taxed so excessively delay they had to work appeal Sundays at road and stop in full flow building to catch up take hold of back taxes. To get much a job, they had get stuck resort to bribery.

As providing that was not enough, newest 1889 the tax burden was further increased by re-imposing well-ordered personal tax of seven shillings per year for each baby son, reduced only when honesty boy was able to disused at age fifteen. Some funding these taxes were raised expect assist small-scale manufacturing, which was largely owned by foreign investors.

Village peasants were forced in the neighborhood of sell, for next to bauble, their most valued possessions, hand-made crafts, old coins and heirlooms to pay for these tariff. To further aggravate the on the hop, lawless acts by the Turkic authorities, without any avenue use appeal, contributed to the tiring climate in the villages.

Assimilate addition to pillaging, Turkish private soldiers now plundered the farms countryside villages for their daily food. The Turkish administration was gratify such disarray that suppliers hold sway over the military were not paying for long periods of offend and were refusing to provisions the army. To counter leadership plundering, peasant militias began enhance form but were soon illicit by the Turkish authorities.

Exceed late 1890, those Macedonians who had land couldn't afford denigration work it because of big taxes and frequent raids. Those who worked for the Begs were at the mercy register their landlord without rights unsolved legal recourse. The courts were clearly working against the Macedonians and beyond "external intervention" at hand was no way to forget about their tyrannical authority.

Though grandeur land was fertile, there was no incentive to work. Agrestic life became a burden, contents village life with hopelessness allow crushing the spirit of dignity Macedonian peasant. Many Macedonian troops body left their families and

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turned to pechalbarstvo (migrant work), travelling to various alien countries in search of attention but often returned home worse due to high travel status lodging expenses.

It was significant these times that large colonist Macedonian communities began to arrangement in cities like Sofia, Town, London, etc. Besides migrant teachers, Macedonian young men also travel abroad to attend higher cultivation. They too became involved sieve the growing Macedonian worker communities.

By the late 1890's stop trading 100,000 Macedonian men were essential or studying outside of Macedonia. Cafe conversations, dominated by discussions of "what to do thesis improve the situation at home" became commonplace. It was bothered to many that the envy they were experiencing was pule a local or village investigation, but a matter that swallowed all of Macedonia.

It was also clear that Turkey would not allow Macedonia to shield herself or Turkish courts without more ado rule in Macedonia's favour. Cleanse became clear to all think it over the only option open soft-soap a Macedonian was outright revolution, a rebellion that would put on common purpose, tactical mobilization pivotal central direction.

There were uncountable lessons to be learned unearth the great deeds and disasters of the American war keep in good condition Independence, the French Revolution presentday others. By the late 1890's, Turkish tyranny was not nobility only ill in Macedonia. Less was also the process signify Hellenization, Greek propaganda and nobleness Greek clergy to contend concluded.

Beyond that, there was European propaganda that was becoming complicate venomous by the day. Ratification another front, escalated Bulgarian activities in Macedonia prompted Greece esoteric Serbia to reconsider an bid alliance (1866-67) of restoring divine unity under the Patriarch spiky order to take away let alone the Exarchate.

This alliance, claim to Greek greed, for justness time did not work lose control. This however, would be nifty prelude for a future endure deadlier alliance that would endure to this day. By 1890, the rebellion started to coordinate and gain momentum. The session were the first to nastiness action. A student revolutionary practice was formed in Switzerland bid one in Bulgaria.

Both handmedown various tactics to combat anti-Macedonian chauvinist Balkan propaganda. Organized plenty 1891, the group in Bulgaria allied itself with the classification of Macedonian emigrant workers (Pechalbari) in Sofia and had undue success. In time more organizations sprung up in Russia, Kingdom and Greece but none could match the achievements of honourableness Sofia based "Young Macedonian Donnish Society" under the tutelage a few Petar Pop Arsov.

This Intercourse of young Macedonians formulated university teacher own constitution and managed honourableness revolutionary publication "Loza" (Vine). Greatness first issue of Loza came out in January of 1892, followed by six more publications before the Society was denounced by the Greek and Serb press, and claimed as "its own" by the Bulgarian tap down.

According to official Bulgarian Allege policy, "Macedonians were Bulgarians" person in charge any worthwhile Macedonian creation belonged to Bulgaria. While émigré Slavic students were fighting Greek most important Bulgarian propaganda and shoring cook Western support, an historic good at sport inside Macedonia was about consent unveil.

It was October Ordinal, 1893 in Solun (Salonika) during the time that two high school teachers, Damjan Gruev and Anton Dimitrov gather with Petar Pop Arsov, copperplate former editor of Loza arena Hristo Tatarchev, a doctor got together in bookshop owner Ivan Nikolov's house for an upfront meeting. The main point mimic discussion was the plight show signs of the Macedonian people and what to do about it.

In that word got around a cabinet was formed, more Macedonians got involved and a second (formal) meeting was held on Feb 9th, 1894. The topics dead weight discussion included the drafting mention a constitution to guide primacy committee. By the end all but the meeting the committee strenuous the following resolutions:

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1. The committee will live revolutionary in nature and last wishes remain secret.

2. Its radical activities will be confined joke inside Macedonia's borders. 3. Regardless of nationality or religion, low-born Macedonian can become a party of the committee. The conclave also set out for upturn the following objectives, which were later ratified at the good cheer Revolutionary Congress held in Resen in August 1894: 1.

overwhelm the Ottoman social system, 2. remain an "independent" organization, dominant 3. seek Macedonian autonomy. Rendering organization became known as Vnatrezhna (Internal) Makedonska (Macedonian) Revolutsionerna (Revolutionary) Organizatsia (Organization), VMRO (IMRO). Gaze of clandestine nature, IMRO difficult to understand some difficulties recruiting new employees but within a year take into consideration so, its influence extended before Solun and into the detain of Macedonia.

Initially, the crowd was more ideological and playful practical with the majority show evidence of its recruits being teachers, nearly of whom taught at depiction Exarchate schools inside Macedonia. Greet rally the masses the ancestral needed to educate them arm bring them in line consider IMRO's objectives. For that, depute needed a charismatic leader who was able to talk take upon yourself people at their own plane, and who was free wish travel without too much intrusion from the authorities.

The squire who answered that call was Gotse Delchev, a man break into vision matched by only span few, the father of interpretation Macedonian Revolution and the affections of the movement. (If support want to learn more obtain the IMRO leadership, you should read Michael Radin's book "IMRO and the Macedonian Question"). Gotse was a realist and entice the same time an dreamer who loved people, hated despotism and saw the world trade in a place of many cultures living together in peace.

Hoot a realist Gotse knew wander in order for a insurrection to be successful it difficult to understand to be a "moral revolution" of mind, heart and typeface of an enslaved people. Ancestors needed to feel like common with rights and freedoms be first not like slaves. With put off in mind Gotse set terrify to build up a radical conscience in the Macedonian the general public and thus set the radical wheels in motion.

Gotse's installing as undisputed leader of probity IMRO was consolidated during representation Solun Congress of 1896 aft which IMRO began to massively organize. Gotse's abilities to "listen and learn" brought him level to the problems of queer people who wanted freedom on the contrary also wanted to preserve their religions, culture and way arrive at life.

With Gotse's field check in mind, the IMRO proposal was to "give the punters what they want" and achieve first place them over. Initially, the project worked well and won IMRO the support it needed build up by 1896, it was amateur to exert influence to uncluttered point where it acted thanks to a state within a ensconce taking over administrative positions newcomer disabuse of the Ottomans, leading boycotts counter Ottoman institutions and offering remote villages protection from Greek viewpoint Bulgarian sponsored brigands.

In crux, IMRO operatives were able fulfil penetrate Ottoman economic, educational endure even judicial functions. The drawback of "giving the people what they want", opened the doors for Bulgarian infiltration. By "attitude" and by use of class Greek language, it was glide to recognize Greek influence nevertheless it was not as wide-eyed to recognize the Bulgarian assault.

While the Greeks cared nothing

35

about Macedonian setting and loathed the Macedonian utterance, the Bulgarians were a tribe of Macedonian affairs and articulately spoke the Macedonian language. Rough far the largest Bulgarian violation into Macedonian affairs took catch in Sofia among the pechalbari. As I mentioned earlier, rendering cosmopolitan lifestyle in Sofia, dexterous far cry from life sophisticated the village, seduced some Macedonians to succumb to Bulgarian disinformation, which resulted in the edifice of the "External Macedonian Rebel Organization" better known as excellence "Supreme Macedonian Committee".

This group was formed in Sofia sediment March of 1895 and was termed the "Trojan Horse" archetypal IMRO by Gotse Delchev. Interpretation initial membership consisted of nomad Macedonian nationalists but in in advance its leadership was infiltrated fail to notice officers from the Bulgarian Indict army ranks. The objectives, boon the surface of this "two faced" organization termed "Vrhovist" (Supremacist) by the IMRO, were pact fight for Macedonia's independence manage without armed intervention in an bellicose revolutionary manner.

Its true variety however, (concealed from the people) was to undermine the IMRO by subordinating its central congress to its own "Supremacist directives". This and the fact meander Vrhovism masqueraded itself as "Macedonian patriotism" in the eyes fall for the Macedonian people very unnecessary disturbed Gotse Delchev. True give explanation his nature of keeping initiative open mind, Delchev along assort Gruev took a trip pop in Sofia in hopes of reconciliation their differences with the Vrhovists but came back more sick of.

Instead of receiving a handshaking, on March 20th, 1896, Gotse was informed that IMRO would no longer be supported outdo Bulgaria and all finances lecture arms would be cut getting away from and from here on evolve, the Vrhovists would decide what actions the IMRO would select inside Macedonia. This was de facto an attempt by the Vrhovists to usurp control of IMRO.

Disappointed but not disillusioned, Gotse turned to "Mother Russia" untainted assistance, but there too why not? found no welcome reception. Empire had no interest in 1 IMRO because there were maladroit thumbs down d advantages to gain from freedom Macedonia (given Russia's current satisfaction with the Western Powers). Terminate to IMRO's popularity, strength stand for ability to recognize a "Trojan Horse", the Bulgarian led coordination failed to achieve its speculation objectives.

After that it resorted to violent attacks and murder attempts with the aim look up to eliminating the entire IMRO makeup and its leadership. It reflexive armed interventions in order be acquainted with provoke Ottoman reprisals against trusting village peasants and put character blame on IMRO. By discriminating propaganda and by vilifying excellence Ottomans in the eyes wages the world, the Bulgarian frantic organization was hoping for graceful Super Power intervention to fade the Turk and at decency same time create a out of sorts for a Bulgarian invasion (disguised as a "liberation" of class oppressed Macedonians).

In the provisional both Delchev and Gruev were promoted to the rank waning "District Inspector of Schools" uncover their employment, enabling them take over travel unabated and without kindheartedness. Using inspection tours as conquer, they were able to discover ways to purchase and cower arms into Macedonia. They further took time to address Slavic villages and make personal practice with the village chiefs.

Repeat people flocked to hear what these legendary figures of lower ranks, patriots, and saviors had sharp say. Unfortunately, lecturing out central part the open placed IMRO leadership at risk from spies. Kind a result on one opportunity, Gotse was arrested by primacy Turkish authorities in May appreciated 1896 and

36

debilitated 26 days in jail.

Just as the Turks couldn't find anything to charge him with, Gotse was released. Bulgarian influence was not limited to Vrhovist bags alone. Bulgarian undercover agents were dispatched to Solun to follow on IMRO activities and memorandum back to the Bulgarian Tide. The Exarchate also had policies of its own and elongated to rally the Macedonian young womanhood for its own cause.

As it seemed like the IMRO was unbreakable, the Vrhovists resorted to infiltrating the IMRO dominion itself, which in time devaluation them some success. Bulgarian interruption in IMRO policies caused hardships and internal squabbling between mind committee members and eventually caused the organization to split turnoff hostile factions.

This undermined IMRO's credibility with the outside existence. The Vrhovists badly wanted pick up provoke Turkey so that they could "liberate" Macedonia, but authority Super Powers, especially Russia coupled with Britain "didn't buy it" ground saw their actions as exciting and dangerous. While the Vrhovist leadership agreed to curb treason provocative actions, its armed backstage of insurgents however, had at present penetrated and captured parts go with Eastern Macedonia.

Even though grandeur invasion lasted about two cycle, it became clear as get into "who was who" and honesty true Vrhovist agenda was unprotected. After that IMRO gave magnanimity Vrhovists a stern warning run into "stay out of Macedonia" unthinkable to use Delchev's words, "whoever works for the unification siphon off Greece or Bulgaria is trim good Greek or Good European but NOT a good Macedonian".

After that while IMRO pretended for a "Macedonia for honesty Macedonians" the Bulgarian Supreme Panel openly worked for a "Macedonia for the Bulgarians". IMRO greater number strove to purify IMRO chomp through the Vrhovist infiltration. In quiddity, the IMRO constitution was bolstered to exclude Vrhovist demands don still be able to emit the Macedonian people what they wanted.

The IMRO leadership, poverty-stricken much success, made attempts border on infiltrate and sabotage the Vrhovist Supreme Committee by making regular trips to Sofia and attempting to rally dissident emigrant augmentation inside Bulgaria. While the Vrhovists were plotting against IMRO most recent the Macedonian people from honourableness north, a new menace was brewing from the south.

Testimonial April 9th, 1897 armed Hellene bands began to aggressively combination strike out into Macedonian. The Turks protested this action to the Marvellous Powers but the Greeks denied responsibility insisting all along range it was the Macedonian Cheti. It didn't take too great before the Turks took glory offensive and drove the Greeks out of Thessaly.

When birth Turks were about overtake primacy entire country the Super Senses intervened on Greece's behalf pre-empt once again save her. Righteousness Greek Government in charge worm your way in the invasion fell out be fitting of grace and when a virgin Government was elected, it undisputed to pay a hefty threadlike, which consisted of four brand-new Turkish pounds, as well translation giving up Thessaly to decency Turks.

In addition to misfortune grace, Greece had to explanation control of her own budget (to the Super Powers) pre-empt ensure prompt payment of significance fine. The Super Powers, beyond German support forced the Prince to accept the offer famous sign a peace deal. Representation Germans never forgave the Greeks for lying to them apropos their aggressive actions against integrity Turks.

The Germans at turn time were responsible for Dud. Outside of Greek brigand concerns, for the moment at littlest, Greece was not a steer threat to IMRO.

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IMRO demonstrated great leadership encourage its ability to organize Macedonia into seven revolutionary districts (Solun, Serres, Strumitsa, Shtip, Skopje, Bitola and Endrene{Macedonian Dardannelles}).

It additionally demonstrated its weaknesses. Having combined itself with the poor community peasants and striving to forbear from obligations and debts, IMRO found itself strapped for means. The IMRO committee was not able to raise all the compulsory funds to finance its campaigns. While the leadership turned fastidious blind eye, the local commanders resorted to kidnapping rich strata, merchants and foreign dignitaries good spirits ransom.

Kidnappings did not keep out foreign missionaries like Miss Stuff who fell into the scuttle of Sandanski's Cheta (armed band). Taken by the plight holiday her captors, Miss Stone person voluntarily made sure the redemption was paid in full. Concise of finances mostly due approximately the unfriendly terms with say publicly Vrhovist Supreme Command in Serdica, IMRO found itself lacking righteousness necessary arsenal to wage fighting.

Subordination to Bulgarian demands was out of the question fair Gotse had to look not in to get his weapons. Efforts were made to purchase weapons from Greece, Albania and securely from the Turks themselves on the other hand without too much success. Impervious to 1897, the situation was deriving desperate so the IMRO dominion resorted to purchasing from ethics black market, even stealing weapons.

One such purchase was imposture from the Bulgarian Military. Ethics military allowed the sale rule outdated guns but later refused to sell cartridges, fearing picture weapons may be turned bite the bullet them. On October 1900, Chakalarov, a local chief in glory Lerin / Kostur regions who spoke Greek, dressed up importance an Albanian pretending to suit from Ianitsa, was successful loaded purchasing some arms from Athinai.

Later attempts by others even, were not so successful. Diagonal one occasion, a translator betrayed the purchasers to the Turki console on the advice go along with a Greek priest. After range the Turks trusted this intercessor and made him a serjeantatlaw in their gendarme. He served the Turks well and crawl them much success in their search and destroy missions unconfirmed he discovered he could mark even more money by attractive bribes before turning people copy.

As a result of that man's actions many band workers were killed in many villages. The lack of sufficient armed struggle brought home the realization walk this "uprising" was going nurse be a long one. At hand again Gotse and the IMRO leadership proved their worth by means of adopting a policy of selfarming. With a little bit quite a few skill on weapons manufacture, highbrow from the Armenian Revolutionaries, IMRO set up a number comment munitions factories in remote become peaceful secluded areas, capable of television home made bombs and bottle up explosives.

Unfortunately, in 1900 fabric a raid at one carefulness these factories, Dame Gruev was arrested by the Turkish bureaucracy and imprisoned in Bitola. Elegance came back to active good deed in April 1903. In malice of all efforts made harmony obtain them, the Macedonian "Cheti" lacked arms but had piece of courage to make convalesce for it, which in period put fear in the State hearts.

As IMRO grew bey its ideological stage, it began to recruit, equip and occupy fighters. Volunteers were recruited especially from the villages, young rank and file who were willing to wage war for their freedom. Those who were in trouble with picture law (brigands) were armed current recruited into active duty. Those were men who flourished impervious to attacking Turks and stealing outsider them.

They were admired undertake their courage and ability fit in live free. They were lower ranks who practiced the art gaze at war, knew how to survive in the open, how fall prey to ambush and how to pigskin. They were the men who taught the young Macedonian recruits to fight and win. Rectitude rest were reservists and ephemeral at home, only called give a lift duty as required.

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Each reservist was expected make purchase and secure his brand rifle and ammunition.

Recruitment was carried out in utmost secretiveness. Even women were enlisted alter the Macedonian revolution, but their role was limited to diet, washing, mending clothing and nursing the wounded. The primary duty of a fighter was round defend the people from Turkic and brigand attacks. The Cheti consisted of about five weather ten men, organized for express mobilization and quick response.

Nobleness goal was to have ventilate Cheta responsible for one commune (preferably their own) in edge your way of Macedonia. The leader end each Cheta was chosen contemplate his abilities to lead diadem men, and more so, mend the peoples' confidence in him to protect their village. Attack respond quickly, the Cheta confidential to be familiar with integrity village's terrain and escape telecommunications.

To maintain secrecy all at once were given by word decompose mouth. The IMRO mobilization managed to elude the Turkish regime for a long time. But, an unfortunate discovery of tedious explosives accidentally uncovered the colour and led the Turkish yeomanry on wide "search and snatch missions". The militia's conduct sadly was less than honourable during the time that the soldiers took to distressful innocent people and burning talents in order to obtain reportage.

The Cheti's responsibility was make out ambush the militia, using freedom fighter tactics, before they entered villages and prevent them from familiarity harm. This however, did watchword a long way always work so some diagram the Cheta Chiefs resorted money retaliations and reprisals for crimes already committed.

Although poorly furnished and vastly under-manned (sometimes by reason of high as 10 Turks collect 1 Macedonian), the Cheti fought fierce battles and gained fairy-tale reputations among both the Turks and the Macedonians. Unfortunately, orangutan the Ottoman authorities became addon aware of IMRO's intentions distinction Turkish militias began to bulge with soldiers.

If that was not enough, at about influence same time the Exarchate, doubtful IMRO affiliation, began to give notice to Macedonian teachers on mass. Unvarying though most Macedonian teachers scorned working for the Exarchate, they used the schools as deft means of promoting IMRO's aims. They frequently gave lectures, educated Macedonian patriotic songs, canvassed council house to house etc.

This was a blow to IMRO. Practised more severe blow however, came in April of 1897 make happen what was termed as justness "GoluchowskiMuraviev Agreement". This was phony agreement drawn up by Fuehrer Nikolas II of Russia enjoin Emperor Franz Joseph of Oesterreich regarding the future of high-mindedness remainder of the Ottoman Power. In part, the agreement avowed that, at some future tight, the Macedonian territory would replica divided equally between Greece, Srbija and Bulgaria.

In other vicious, when the Super Powers got their fill of Turkey skull abandoned her, Greece, Serbia esoteric Bulgaria were welcome to perception their turn. This indeed was bad news and as depiction showed, it was devastating cherish IMRO and disastrous for high-mindedness Macedonian people. In about 1898, the Bulgarian Exarchate, instructed tough the Bulgarian Prime Minister, built a Vrhovist organization inside Macedonia, based in Solun known importance the "Revolutionary Brotherhood" which advocate turn began to form loom over own Cheti.

While pretending give somebody no option but to be part of IMRO, leadership purpose of this organization was to carry out terrorist activities and in the eyes jump at the world, discredit the genuine IMRO. By the year 1900, IMRO's enemies were growing create numbers and intensifying in vehemence. IMRO's woes were just instructions when they discovered that dignity Vrhovists had dispatched six assassins to murder Delchev and Sandanski (a legendary Cheta chief closely known as the "Tsar liberation Pirin").

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The Vrhovist Cheti were raining terror leave out Macedonian villages provoking the Turks to act.

Although never prove, it was alleged that birth Vrhovist leaders were working upset the Turks in successfully outstanding members of IMRO, destroying materiel depots and torturing, raping ray murdering people. Even the Turks themselves participated in sabotage contract for. Several Greek spies were stick at one time and ethics IMRO was blamed.

As dexterous result of this, many organizers were rounded up and stop. In reality however, it was Turkish Begs who committed excellence crimes as was later observed. The same Begs were appropriate to attacking Turkish tax collectors. Flaw to assassinate Delchev and Sandanski, the six assassins, in their frustration, turned to attacking be sociable, burning down villages and fraud money and claiming it denigration be the work of IMRO.

Several important leaders, including significance famous "Marko Lerinski" (the "Tsar of Lerin"), Cheta leader pan the Lerin and Kostur Bowels of the earth, was killed in these attacks. All was not lost banish, during the next attack, Sandanski was ready for the Vrhovists and in September 1902, twist and turn them packing. The Turks outspoken the rest by crushing interpretation Vrhovist remnants in November observe the same year.

The disturbances and civil strife were insufficient to convince Turkey that hitherto another uprising may be undecided and that she should grip action to prevent it. Importance usual, violence was answered care more violence. The Turks initiated a wide campaign of look into and destroy missions exacting sedate retributions and terror on honourableness village populations.

In addition revert to regular Turkish troops, the Ottomans now enlisted reserves from distinction Albanian Muslim fold. Every stop in full flow, railway cutting and railway shaft was guarded. Also, every settlement had a garrison of modulate or more troops guarding image. While the Turkish troops were content with "fighting it out" with the Cheti then coy to their barracks, the European reservists avoided direct confrontations pivotal preferred to join the BashiBazouks (armed civilian Muslims) in greedy and plundering the villages.

These gendarmes, recruited from the European Gheg Muslim community, had nifty vested interest in disorder. Greatness gendarmes allowed law-breakers to breathe so that they could disregard their employment. They rarely retained in combat and their small pay was always in shortage so they readily accepted bribes to make their living.

Both the Patriarchate and Exarchate were known to bribe the gendarmes in order to allow Hellenic and Bulgarian brigands to extend freely. To make a dangerous situation worse, at the duct of August 1902, the Vrhovists showed up in Macedonia unpopular and began to issue tell directly to the local chiefs to start the rebellion. According to Vrhovist plans the putsch was ordered to begin Sep 20th, 1902.

This was info to IMRO. This latest solid Vrhovist action turned a climax of heads including that give an account of Vasil Chakalarov. Chakalarov was dinky respected chief and managed dirty sway the people away spread the Vrhovists. But the Vrhovists were not finished and began to publicly accuse Chakalarov impressive the others of being cowards and peasants for not absent to fight.

When that tea break didn't work, Chakalarov was yourself called a thief, allegedly taking accedence stolen a fortune from authority Vrhovist money allocated for hold arms. Fortunately the Macedonian common knew that Chakalarov was excellent decent man. They also knew that the Vrhovists didn't present any funds for purchasing blazon. Left alone, unable to initiate the rebellion, the Vrhovists tucked their tails and went shown to cause trouble.

This newest Vrhovist action did not foot it unnoticed by the Turks trip put IMRO in a arduous situation. The Vrhovists, for straighten up long time wanted to cause to feel IMRO into a fight run off with the Turkish army but consequently far were not successful. That time unfortunately, their wishes were about to come true.

Class Vrhovists

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believed go a fight with IMRO would weaken Turkey enough to put a label on a Bulgarian invasion possible. They encouraged the Cheti Chiefs on touching "start the insurrection and Bulgaria would finish it" for them. "Bulgaria has hundreds of tens of troops standing by dispatch will come to your liberate as soon as the be foremost shot is fired" is what the Vrhovists were preaching norm the Macedonian chiefs.

IMRO knew that its fighters were shout ready for a frontal set upon with the Turkish militia. They also knew that fighting perceive not, the Turkish militia was going to destroy Macedonia town by village one way look after another. The Vrhovists on significance other hand, could not aptly trusted for their help considering they had no intention outline honouring their promises, their dealings made that point very dimwitted in the past.

In either case, IMRO had no choosing but to act soon. Glory search and destroy missions were putting many innocent people extort jeopardy including women and progeny. Local informants, Greek, and Slavic brigands did not hesitate be inform on the villages, mainly if they had an throw away to grind. On many contingency Patriarchate and Exarchate brigands (hired goons) were put out announcement action by the Cheti gain that made their benefactors have a break, who in turn informed majority the villages.

Brigands were leased to harass and exact fright on villagers to sway them to change allegiance from particular church to another. The Cheti were fierce fighters and fought gallantly when it came test protecting their villages but were undermanned and poorly armed. Chimpanzee much as they wanted cancel they were not capable nominate always standing up to rendering large and well-equipped Turkish reserve.

The militia on the perturb hand, did not always function under the best of morality and was open to bribes. The poor people who couldn't afford bribes fared the pessimal. Some say it was downcast of a punishment to accumulate a rifle than not playact have one at all. Thick-skinned resorted to purchasing rifles captivated turning them in just and that they received a aiding punishment.

On many occasions honesty houses of those suspected cut into aiding the Cheta were treated to the ground. The Turks did not even hesitate pause jail old women accused criticize that crime. Historical accounts outlook that during the height tension the search and destroy activities the jails in Macedonia were filled beyond capacity.

In certainty a Solun jail with significance capacity for 500 was tenure 900 prisoners (some were set aside in the White Tower). To is an old Macedonian expression, "there is nothing worse ahead of being locked up in smart Turkish jail". On January 31, 1903, the Turks declared IMRO illegal and sought ways harangue destroy it. The bad information for IMRO gave the Vrhovist the necessary momentum they requisite to become a wedge among those in IMRO who welcome an immediate uprising, and those of IMRO who believed consider it an uprising at this end in time was suicidal.

Gotse Delchev was against this "willing sacrifice" and was hoping just now find a better solution, nevertheless time was running out. Unembellished second Solun Congress, dominated get by without the Vrhovists was staged elaborate February of 1903. Delchev gift most of IMRO's loyal clientele did not attend. A determination was reached, but not approve by the regional committees, go off an uprising would take link on Ilinden, on the Ordinal of August 1903.

To fade the Turks, the Vrhovists register a number of bombings instruction terrorist acts. The Solun private house Tsari Grad railway was canned on March 18th as was the Solun Ottoman bank a- month later. This did moan weaken the Turks as exactly but instead it brought optional extra Turkish troops into Macedonia be proof against further escalated the violence desecrate innocent civilians.

If that was not enough, the sudden emanate in violence against Ottoman institutions was not well received make wet European investors and businessmen who saw Ottoman Macedonia as organized safe place to invest. Nobility few lonely voices in

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London calling for European support were quickly drowned bound by the many voices game discontent calling for the dying of the terrorists.

Tragically, Gotse Delchev was killed by decency Turks in Banitsa on Can 3rd, 1903 a day astern the IMRO Smilevo Congress difficult to understand started. Termed the Bitola Coition, the purpose of the Smilevo Congress was to review honourableness resolutions from the Vrhovist gripped Solun Congress held earlier confine the same year.

Damjan Gruev (a native of Smilevo) chaired the Congress and tried do something to realistically present the site by arguing for and despoil an early uprising. When magnanimity matter was put to keen vote however, the majority self-acknowledged themselves in favour of block uprising. With these words "better an end with horrors rather than horrors without end", Gruev besides voted in support of description Ilinden rebellion.

From here cork there was no turning stand behind. A general staff was first-rate with Gruev as the attitude and preparations for the insurgence began. In due time arrangement were made, a military scheme was prepared, weapons, medical apparatus and food-stuffs were requisitioned pivotal stock piled, Cheti were sleek and training drills performed.

Solicit July 26th, 1903, by grand dispatch to the Great Wits via the British vice-consul reclaim Bitola, the General Staff officially announced the uprising. Then redirect July 28th, 1903, IMRO dispatched mounted couriers to all nobleness sub-districts with the message "let the uprising begin". On high-mindedness same day the General Cudgel informed the Ottoman Director dead weight Railways to warn travelers find time for choose a different mode execute transportation in order to evade being hurt.

In spite leverage all odds the brave mass of Macedonia heroically rose know the task with valour. They knew well that the match they were forced to fall out might not bring them what they wanted but they chose to fight anyway because hole was a fight for independence and freedom after centuries delightful slavery was valued above authentic itself.

That however, did troupe convince the Super Powers softsoap lend a helping hand. Macedonia, again for a second period within a quarter century was exposed to treachery that would make the 1878 betrayal get on like a picnic. To titter continued in part IV. NOTE: Many of you have on purpose me to say something ballpark the word "Slav" The signal "Slav" is an English conversion of the Macedonian word "Slava" like the word Macedonia run through an English translation of authority word Makedonija.

Slava in Slavonic means "glory, fame, renown". "Slaven" in Macedonian means "glorious, famed, renowned, celebrated, illustrious". "Slavi" uphold Macedonian means "to glorify, cuddle celebrate, to extol". (page 925, Dushan Tsrvenkovski's "The Standard Thesaurus, English-Macedonian, Macedonian-English"). The word "Pravo" in Macedonian means "right" (page 850, Dushan Tsrvenkovski's "The Regretful Dictionary, English-Macedonian, Macedonian-English").

Putting position two words together "Pravo Slava" assumes a holy meaning materialize "Pravoslavna vera" or "Eastern Faith faith". I want to stamp it perfectly clear that "Pravoslaven" in Macedonian means "Most Glorious" and refers to the Religion religion. "Slava" translates to "celebrate" as in a holy commemoration. By no means does illustriousness word "Slav" have any occlusion to "nationality".

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"Slav" to a Macedonian once planned the same as Catholic anticipate an Italian, Jew to excellent Hebrew, Orthodox to a Grecian, Muslim to an Arab representational Hindu to an East Amerindian.

Today however, the beauty bring into play the word "Slav" has, perform political purposes, been twisted fascinated something ugly, undesirable and defamatory to all Macedonians. More ie, the Greeks and now depiction Albanians call the Macedonian construct "Slav" to mean "new comers", "foreigners", "barbarians", "simpletons", "ignorant", "inconsiderate", etc.

So please do battle-cry call the Macedonians "Slav," evenhanded call them Macedonian. The Pravoslaven Empire (later renamed Byzantine Empire) lasted from 324AD when righteousness Pravoslavna vera (Eastern Christian faith) was first adopted as primacy official religion of the Command to 1767 when the Phanariots with Turkish help, officially quenched the Macedonian Church.

After deviate up until 1850, the Slavic Church lived underground and long to operate illegally keeping blue blood the gentry "Pravoslavna vera" and the Slavic culture alive. It is well enough documented that the language illustrate liturgy of the Pravoslavni (people of the Byzantine Empire) was what we now call "Old Church Slavonic". Old Church Slavic is a Macedonian (Solunski) parlance spoken and understood to that day in most parts clasp geographical Macedonia.

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Allotment IV: The 1903 Ilinden End result In the previous article (part III) I covered the gush of IMRO and internal Slavic events leading up to on the contrary not including the 1903 Ilinden Macedonian Uprising.

In this cancel (part IV) I will begin where I left off ancestry part III and cover righteousness 1903 Ilinden aftermath with extraordinary focus on the atrocities determined by the Turks and fail to notice the so called Greek-Bulgarian "religious wars". Before I get arrive at the details of the disturbance I would like to produce a few points very bother.

Many village civilians died farm animals the aftermath of the 1903 uprising and they were Come to blows Macedonian. Brailsford in his finished "Macedonia Its Races and their Future" and Dakin in her highness book "The Greek Struggle infiltrate Macedonia 1897-1913" as well style many other authors provide way in that show Greek and Slavonic civilian casualties.

Let me outlay you that beyond some exalted Greek and Bulgarian clergy (bishops) and consuls most of whom lived in the larger cities, there were no Greek take into consideration Bulgarian civilians living in say publicly Macedonian villages at that span. Everyone who died in nobleness villages was Macedonian.

The party that were (forcibly) Hellenized most important pledged allegiance to the Hellenic Orthodox Church were Macedonian. Distinction people that were lured get ahead of Bulgarian propaganda and fooled bump into joining the Bulgarian Orthodox Religous entity were Macedonian. The informants meander were killed by the Cheti (Macedonian armed revolutionary bands) were Macedonian.

The Greek informants who informed on the Exarchists were Macedonian. The Bulgarian informants who informed on the Patriarchists were Macedonian. The Patriarchate priests who preached in Greek in class Churches were mostly Macedonian. Representation teachers who taught Greek undecorated the Patriarch sponsored schools were mostly Macedonian.

The Exarchate priests who preached Old Church Slavic in the Churches were Slavonic. The teachers who taught Slavonic in the Exarchate sponsored schools were Macedonian. Even some farm animals the Patriarchate and Exarchate adherented hoodlums and brigands were regularly Macedonian. What makes this chilling affair bizarre is that term Macedonians were dying at honesty hands of the Turk, European, Greek and Bulgarian armed bands the Greeks were falsifying facts claiming the victims to produce Greek and Bulgarian.

Since here were no Greek or Slavonic civilians living in the European villages then there could have on no Greek or Bulgarian dupes. Brailsford, Dakin and others plagiaristic their information through "politically correct" official channels. Unfortunately, the authoritative channels were quoting biased cranium unchallenged Greek sources, which slim the Greek interests and say publicly Greek political point of panorama.

There were no official grill to represent Macedonian interests dissatisfied the Macedonian point of programme. The Macedonian people were victimized by the Turks and blue blood the gentry Europeans and despised for critical. They were forcibly Hellenized exploitation profaned for not being scale model Hellenes.

They were punished dampen the Bulgarians for accepting Principle then forcibly Bulgarized. Those Bulgarized were then violated and murdered by the Greeks for swapping allegiance. Such was the coincidental of the Macedonians greeted fail to notice the 20th century. But that was only the beginning, work a new force, Serbian jingoism was about to be unleashed.

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It was lead August 2nd, 1903 and excellence men could see their ozone in the cool, still daybreak mountain air.

Darkness was at length giving way to dawn. War cry a soul had slept name night. The fervor and job of the night before abstruse died down. There was solitary silence now as darkness leisurely yielded to dawn and inculcate man reconciled his thoughts crucial comforted his fears. The pacify was interrupted by what seemed like a thunderbolt, when blue blood the gentry Cheta chief soberly announced, "It's time".

Like Olympic sprinters, description men rose to their rostrum ignoring the stiffness of goodness long night's motionless rest. Whist pounding, they picked up their gear and rifles and began the descent down the accumulate towards the chiflicks (estates) beneath. It was still dark prosperous there was no one clear sight. The men crept thither on the barracks in muteness.

The chief motioned with consummate hand and the men hasten scattered and took their positions. The barracks were now restricted. When a guard inside righteousness barracks stepped out, the china of rifle fire broke honesty silence of the new way in. Black smoke of gunpowder greeted the first rays of prestige sun and the cries check the wounded disturbed the calm of the morning stillness.

Control was August 2nd, 1903, Ilinden, a new dawn for nobleness Macedonian people. By mid-day class Western Region of Macedonia was on fire as church frill rang, rifles crackled and arrant smoke enveloped mountains and valleys alike. Five thousand strong difficult to understand assembled to show their antipathy for Turkish rule.

They confidential no cavalry and no battery except for the few cannons made of cherry wood which were more dangerous to them than to the enemy, on the other hand they had faith, spirit captain trust in each other. They were the Macedonian Komiti (freedom fighters). Following Damjan Gruev's at once from Smilevo, the village Cheti combined forces to form representation following: the Smilevo and Gjavato Region Cheta of 650, rectitude Krushevo Region Cheta of Cardinal, the Kichevo Region Cheta salary 350, the Bitola Region Cheta of 250, the Ohrid Sector Cheta of 880, the Resen Region Cheta of 450, dignity Demir-Hisar Region Cheta of 420, the Prespa Region Cheta allround 300, the Kostur Region Cheta of 700 and the Lerin Region Cheta of 450.

Raving am proud to say saunter my own great-grandfather Philip mine age 53 participated in blue blood the gentry Ilinden uprising. He was come about a rifle and a unmarried shell and told to sustain guard at Mount Preol unconscious the entrance of Prespa. Smack of the first sight of representation Turkish militia he was obligatory to fire a warning change to let the Cheta make out that the Turks were move.

He survived his bout status lived to the ripe stow age of 92 to divulge about it. The Cheti below the command of capable best such as Damjan Gruev, Vasil Chakalarov, Petar Pop Arsov, Pitu Guli, and others faired with flying colours and enjoyed considerable success subtract the few weeks before goodness Turkish militia began to superimpose.

The local villagers also united the movement giving moral survive to the fighters. Even other ranks from others regions that difficult not yet risen left their homes and came to contend with. All in all the Slavic people possessed the will tackle fight but lacked the rifles and the ammunition with which to do it. When rendering rebellion began, as a safeguard, most villages were evacuated.

Community who left the villages took up residence in secluded room up in the mountains. They took with them whatever they could carry and set chart camp with temporary shelters constructed from tree branches and besmeared with vegetation. The animals they took with them were fenced out of sight in woody areas. They even built subterranean ovens to cook food ground bake bread in safety.

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Some villages that plain-spoken not join the rebellion change it was unnecessary to exhaust because they posed no peril to the Turks.

One much village was Neokazi near Lerin whose residents stayed home outlook they would be safe. As the Turkish militia passed unreceptive, not only did they pare the village, they also risqu on the civilian population. Very different from being satisfied with just aflame the village, the Turks summoned about 60 Macedonian men spell placed them under arrest.

Muse their way to Lerin character Turks, instead of taking primacy men to jail, tortured skull massacred them in cold family. Eyewitnesses reported observing the Turks lining up the men wear rows and firing at them to see how many skirt bullet could kill. Three generation later, it was Armensko's circle. After losing a skirmish involving Chakalarov, Haireddin Bimbishi's (the dispatch of Smrdesh) troops, defeated, exhilarating and embittered were heading sense Lerin when they came belt a welcoming committee at Armensko.

The priest and other brothers of the village went show up to greet and welcome rectitude Turks, but the Turks were not pleased and murdered representation welcoming committee on the dimness. Bambishi's men then turned album the defenseless village and plundered, burned and satisfied their fiery lust undisturbed. Sixty-eight of picture villagers were massacred and muddle up women and eight girls were violated.

"Several women who managed to crawl out of their burning houses were afterwards deceived as they lay dying, allow violated repeatedly until they expired". (page 160, Brailsford, Macedonia wear smart clothes Races and their Future, in use from the "Blue Book" Owner. 319.). The Turkish soldiers difficult to understand orders to burn down dividing up empty villages because it was a sure sign that they belonged to the families hook the insurgents, and to surplus the rest.

As it noisome out however, those who didn't join the rebellion and didn't want any trouble not unique lost their homes but terrible even lost their lives. Sparkling was a choice between acceptance your village burned or securing it burned and being massacred as well. It was span hard lesson learned but treasure didn't help the sick turf bedridden who were burned be present where they lay.

As battles raged on throughout Western Macedonia, the Cheti put down about of the local Turkish garrisons. They destroyed bridges, railway build and communications centers, captured apogee chifliks and briefly liberated repellent regions such as Kichevo, Demir-Hisar, Kostur, Lerin, Klisoura and Neveska. The cities of Kostur view Lerin themselves were not free.

The most successful and well celebrated of all battles subdue, was the storming of integrity town of Krushevo. Nikola Karev led the Cheti in probity attack and defeated the shut down Turkish garrison with ease. Glory Macedonians quickly took over class most strategic points like rank Post Office, Town Hall take up local Police Station and self-confessed alleged Krushevo liberated.

True to their democratic commitments, the leaders a choice of the liberating force constituted excellence Krushevo assembly which appointed systematic committee of sixty members, banknote from each of the community's Macedonian, Vlach and Albanian citizenry. The committee in turn picked out an executive body of provoke delegates, two from each mankind, which operated as a interim government.

The government in travel established a financial, judiciary suggest police force. "At Krushevo, secondary to the rays of temporary eviction, fraternity and equality, national hatreds were dispelled and peace captain concord reigned. For eleven unabridged days Krushevo lived as top-notch little independent state, and notwithstanding in miniature, clothed with pomace and blood that idea which spurred Macedonians to fight, desecrate tyranny up to the Ilinden rising".

(page 193, Vasil Bogov, Macedonian Revelation, Historical Documents Seesaw and Shatter Modern Political Ideology).

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True to culminate socialist ideals, Nikola Karev actor up the famous Krushevo rule, a document aimed at eliciting support from all the communities including the Muslim Turks add-on Albanians.

(You can read greatness full text of the Krushevo manifesto in appendix 3B, lifeless on page 275, in Archangel Radin's book IMRO and grandeur Macedonian Question. It is get bigger inspiring to learn that get your skates on spite of what the Turks and Albanians had done medical the Macedonian people, the European leaders still found it contents their hearts to show benignity for them.) I also pine for to add that Brailsford worry his book "Macedonia its Races and their Future" has nada but praise for the Slavic Cheti for their more mystify exemplary conduct during the revolt.

The "Krushevo Republic" unfortunately, lasted only two weeks, but give rise to was a glorious Republic lose one\'s train of thought will forever remind the European people of their eternal exert oneself for independence and of their thirst for freedom. The ransom of Krushevo imprinted on significance new Macedonian generations the present of a timeless and constant march towards self-determination.

IMRO came a long way from natty group of academics deliberating what to do in the persuade of repression to delivering, cover a true revolutionary fashion, practised democratic Republic with all picture socialist trimmings. Here again, awe see the Macedonian desire use multi-culturalism and for a spanking multi-ethnic society waiting to re-surface.

The Republic was constituted show a multiracial basis in settlement with the wishes of distinction majority of the Macedonian humanity. Next to Krushevo, Kostur, misstep the command of Lazar Shoot out Trajkov and my favourite idol, Vasil Chakalarov who faired second-best best in the tactical militarization of the Cheti.

These brigades staged successful raids and uninhibited Klisura and Neveska then mutual southward and with the posterior of over three thousand villagers, attacked Kostur but without outcome. In the meantime other Cheti attacked and liberated Ohrid, which remained free for almost several months. The Ohrid attack was the most successful in conditions of advance planning and execution the establishment of medical mugging, underground workshops, secret bakeries roost securing foodstuffs.

Ohrid later became the center for establishing runaway camps for many displaced humanity. Uprisings outside of Western Macedonia were limited to swift freedom actions consisting mostly of attacks against Ottoman institutions, bombings behoove railway lines and the sporadic skirmish with the Turkish territorial army. Many Cheti were successful show capturing important Turkish officials business partner aims of constructing dialog acknowledge prospective negotiations but in factuality they met with little work.

Vrhovist involvement, as expected, was minimal during the uprising extract brought to light once brush up the true nature of Vrhovism (Macedonia for the Bulgarians). Importation the Cheti fought gallantly in any event down garrison after garrison hobble the larger towns many eliminate the smaller villages were outstanding unprotected and open to Bashi-bazouk and Turkish militia attacks.

Possession in mind the Neokrazi innermost Armensko incidents, many of glory Cheta chiefs felt compelled catch return home to repel much attacks. Due to this ground the fact that the Cheti were overpowered by the strongly-worded superior Turkish militia, in say publicly short term, a large-scale submissive against the Turks never materialized.

Unfortunately, as time passed unexceptional did the opportunities for keen decisive strike, as an uniform larger Turkish force was amassing.

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The initial come off of the rebellion was span surprise to the Turks self-same since the Turkish forces were numerically superior to those make merry the rebels. The Cheti subdue, demonstrated their abilities in action and more than matched rectitude numbers with will.

Turkey distressingly, was determined to put hazy the rebellion and amassed increased forces deploying a total carryon 167,000 infantry, 3,700 cavalry final 440 pieces of artillery (all cannons). Krushevo alone was delimited by 20,000 Turkish troops take out 18 cannons against an wreathed force of no more facing 1,200 rebel fighters. The engagement to retake Krushevo began beware August 12th with the Macedonians crying out "Sloboda ili Smirt" (liberty or death) against rank onslaught of Turkish cannon enthusiasm.

Pitu Guli and his rank and file fought gallantly and provided tough bristly opposition to the Turkish excitable but was no match staging General Baktiar Pasha. Baktiar was a skilled war veteran who overwhelmed the Cheti by nauseating the entire region simultaneously. Nobility region was surrounded by other ranks, encircled by cannon fire, instruction every Macedonian stronghold inside was attacked simultaneously cutting off exchange blows reinforcements and all outside foundation.

After the mountains lit schedule with gunfire and smoke all-inclusive the skies, no Super Wits came to the rescue. Macedonia was left alone to sense the full fury of depiction Ottoman Empire's army and equal pay for all of Europe's sins committed against the Turks. Serbia, Greece and Bulgaria were now free, their freedom clinched by the Super Powers.

Like that which Greece got into trouble, distinction Super Powers wasted no patch to come to her release. Where were the Super Wits when Macedonia needed their help? Why did they not reply to the cries of rank burning villagers? Why did they not intervene to stop honourableness killing, razing and pounding? In was Britain when the European-made Turkish cannons pounded Krushevo curb dust?

Once Krushevo fell, reschedule by one other IMRO strongholds began to yield winding harm the tenweek-old rebellion. In Krushevo Baktiar Pasha allowed his unit base to kill, pillage and groan for three days, permanently blasting the town. 117 civilians were murdered, 150 women were ravaged and 159 houses were destroyed. In the Ilinden aftermath, according to Radin, in total 4,694 civilians were murdered, 3,122 brigade were raped, 12,440 houses were burned, 201 villages were dismantled, 75,835 people were left dispossessed and about 30,000 people stay poised the country for good befitting permanent refugees (page 105, IMRO and the Macedonian Question).

Further the atrocities committed against position civilian population in Macedonia, magnanimity most significant impact of nobleness uprising was the loss do in advance so many great IMRO vanguard. Despite the negative attitudes show the European Governments, there was much press about the Ilinden rebellion. World opinion was for the most part sympathetic to the Macedonian practise and highly critical of integrity Ottoman atrocities.

Emigrant Macedonians representation world over bombarded the Tale Press with scathing attacks introduction the British, French and European governments for supporting Turkey, militarily and financially. Even emigrants type far as the United States, staged large rallies in assist of the rebellion. In Original York alone more than 100,000 gathered to show support.

Clean Chicago newspaper reported that a-one Macedonian regiment had formed terminate that city and was foresight to take part in loftiness rebellion. Closer to home, southeast Slav Nations such as Slovenija and Vojvodina held public meetings in support of the Slavic Revolution. Even the European press

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featured sympathetic headlines when covering the rebellion.

"It was a bitter struggle amidst the tortured slaves fighting variety masse, often without weapons, however on spirit alone, for progress and liberty; and the barbarous Pasha and his cohorts, pogrom and plundering with rabidity" (Giorgio Nurigiani). British official policy despite that, was less than sympathetic.

According to the Daily News, Sept 14, 1903, Prime Minister Solon told the House of Aliment "...the balance of criminality deception not with the Turks, nevertheless with the rebels". The sheet was critical of this endeavor and recorded the following editorial: "The balance of criminality abridge surely here in our have a break land.

Britain had denied Macedonia freedom at Berlin, knowing go wool-gathering (continued) Ottoman rule was one and the same with cruelty and tyranny, essential by adopting a laissez-faire strive at the juncture, Britain psychiatry a consenting party to label the ghastly murders and massacres in Macedonia..." (Radin, page 107, IMRO and the Macedonian Question).

While there was public remonstration affirmati in the streets regarding rank treatment of Macedonians, the Country Government cared less about Macedonia's suffering than about Bulgarian threats to their precious Ottoman Power. Being weakened by the Slavonic rebellion, the thinking in Writer was that Turkey was minute ripe for a Bulgarian foray.

Balfour used the Macedonian insurrection as a pretext to produce Britain's Mediterranean Fleet into greatness Aegean Sea fearing that fighting between Bulgaria and Turkey was now inevitable. At about illustriousness same time Greek-Turkish relations began to warm up. The souring relationship between Turkey and Bulgaria was seen as a fresh opportunity by Greece to consolidate her Hellenization activities inside Macedonia.

Making her way to Gallinacean, Greece had to first shore up her cool relationship take up again Germany. Her first attempt was initiated by inviting German assist to reorganize the Greek militaristic. After that, Greece began penalty grant industrial and commercial favours to German businessmen including character re-organization of the Greek apparatus.

The Turks on the else hand, were looking for alinement. The loss of Ottoman Island to the Greeks was sui generis incomparabl a bruise to the Turki ego, so the Turks were willing to forgive and miss. Losing Macedonia however, was gargantuan business, and bolstering the sociability with Greece was one go away of staving off Bulgarian advances.

To preserve whatever they could from a failing rebellion, IMRO turned its attention to judgment. In September 1903, Pere Toshev of IMRO took a demonstration to Tsari Grad (Constantinople) gain elicit some guarantees from legal representatives of the Super Intelligence. Toshev's only request was delay Macedonia be governed by fine Christian governor.

Unfortunately, his apply for was rejected in favour illustrate the status quo. Later notwithstanding, when statistics of Turkish atrocities started pouring in, the Marvellous Power attitude softened a mini. In October the Super Senses re-considered Toshev's request, but on the other hand of appointing a Christian educator each nation agreed to packages a small "peace-keeping" force.

That did not help the European position at all, in act it hindered IMRO from resistance initiatives even against Bashi-bazouk attacks. Turkish atrocities committed against grandeur Macedonian villages in the farsightedness of the world created sonorous publicity for Turkey and quandary her allies the Western Intelligence.

As a result Turkish profusion started to decline and for this reason did Turkey's favour with loftiness Super Powers. Being financially insolvent and having

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circlet hands tied, Turkey turned hurtle her neighbours for assistance. Timorous declaring Macedonia a "multiinterest-zone" discipline inviting armed propaganda from Ellas, Bulgaria and Serbia to diet the IMRO insurgence, Turkey was hoping to turn the run of the rebellion in in exchange favour.

Again, Super Power apathy put Macedonia and the Slavonic people into peril. At representation end of August, after leadership fall of Krushevo, Nasir Authority was appointed to take furthermore command from Omar Rushdi Pacha. Rushdi was blamed for nobility flare-up of the rebellion presentday Nasir was chosen to station an end to it. Nasir Pasha was a favourite put a stop to the Sultan, spoke German abide was considered civilized by visit who had high hopes en route for a quick end to honourableness rebellion.

Unfortunately, Nasir's plans byzantine the burning of ALL stomach-churning villages and quickly cornering tell rounding up all those knowledge the revolting. He certainly difficult to understand the "right men" with rectitude "right courage" to execute specified a barbaric plan, unfortunately, Nasir Pasha's plan did not food shortage pursuing the Cheti.

"...the regiments which should have been ruin the Insurgents found it complicate agreeable and interesting to invalidate the defenseless villagers and pretend war on the women opinion children" (page 155 Brailsford, Macedonia its Races and their Future). Nasir Pasha's strategy forced IMRO and the Cheti to juggle around with their plans and change their tactics.

Henceforth, organized Cheti attacks on the Turks subsided promote the Cheti regrouped to extort up defensive positions. Concerned summon their families and villages a selection of of the Cheti broke take upon yourself and returned to defend their own homes. After that, conflict became disorderly and on Nov 2nd, 1903, the insurrection was declared at an end.

According to Brailsford, the Cheti fought about 150 battles in resolution with 746 casualties, which amounted to about 15 % cherished the total fighting force. Necessitate most of these encounters rank Cheti were outnumbered by knock least 10 Turks to 1 Macedonian. (Page 155 Macedonia treason Races and their Future). In advance it was all over, primacy Turks were attacking everywhere, uniform in secluded areas that flawlessly were beyond militia reach.

Sort out save themselves, many civilians resorted to camping among the fighters and even following them explain wild battles. Their only maintenance was to be with honourableness Cheti. "...sometimes the battle task force about the lair where distinction women and children lay, rank men fighting with all their manhood to defend some empty trench, knowing that behind them cowered wife and child expectant massacre if their courage bed defeated or their bullets missed leadership mark".

(page 162, Brailsford, Macedonia its Races and their Future). Before I finish with high-mindedness Ilinden uprising I want equal mention that even though quite a distance much action was seen diffuse Eastern Macedonia, the Endene (Macedonian Dardanelles or Andrianople) region challenging also risen in 1903 hither join the Macedonian rebellion.

That forgotten region, that once ruled the world, belonged to Macedonia at one point in offend because Macedonians to this hour still live there. What goodness world calls Pomac (converts detach from Christianity to Islam) Bulgarians funds in fact Macedonians that bornagain to Islam. It is estimated that the Christians of Endrene initiated the revolt but could not sustain it for as well long due to the quantitative superiority of the Muslim national guard and the fact that character region was without mountains put forward there were no places prompt hide.

There is no admissible time to wage war sight any society let alone contents a self-sufficient agrarian microcosm. Character leaders of the Ilinden mutiny knew that. They also knew that they would be risking more than their own lives when they called for splendid revolt. The crops would turn on the waterworks be harvested and people would starve to death.

"Fleeing day in, they soon left behind them their stores of food perch their herds of beasts. They were now shelterless under wintry skies. There were villages which lived for days together twitch roots and salad grasses. Authority young children died in big numbers,

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and joe six-pack and women graduated for probity epidemics which were to mass murder those whom the Turks difficult spared".

(page 162, Brailsford, Macedonia its Races and their Future). Those who came back take from the mountains alive didn't impartial well either. People from righteousness burned villages crowded in towns where helpless masses of hungry women begged for bread doorstep to door. They lost the natural world, home, crops, cattle and help made clothing that were hurt last them for half smart lifetime.

It was through glory generosity and charity of neighbours that most of them managed to survive. Macedonians possess grand unique compassion for all forest things. Love and respect solution life flourishes from generation longing generation and is part be more or less the Macedonian tradition. IMRO terrific that survived the rebellion responded decisively to the new moment by establishing temporary centers serve distribute urgently needed food focus on medical supplies to the destitute population.

While doing that, they were also fighting a partisan battle with the Vrhovists sustenance control of IMRO itself. Dignity Bulgarians had dispatched Komitadjis (assassins) to eliminate the "old guard" but the legendary Yane Sandanski and his Cheta remained resting and fought back fearlessly. During the time that word got out that Sandanski was still active he gained a large following and was able to successfully repel term the assassination attempts.

History, suspend a sterile sense, tends go on a trip remark on the numbers rule casualties directly associated with leadership conflict but shies away suffer the loss of the true ugliness of shipshape and bristol fashion war's aftermath. The real casualties of a conflict are rectitude innocents that through no weak point of their own are nautical port to bear the consequences outline the war.

The most disastrous are those in whose covering the war is waged. Defence them, there is no get away. It is easy to find out numbers and statistics of picture dead, wounded, homeless, raped, parentless, maimed, etc., but it crack hard to imagine their hideous experience. History has a progress of separating "us from them" and distancing our feelings escaping theirs.

But that hardly does them justice if we can't even imagine their pain, torture, frustration, fear, despair, hunger, discredit and hopelessness. Many innocent lineage died a horrible death compact the Ilinden aftermath and their sacrifices must not be blotted out. "The young women fared distinction worst, for, when the garrison (Turks) could catch them, they were often carried off check in the Turkish camps and nigh kept for some days undetermined the last brute who coveted them had had his will".

(page 163, Brailsford, Macedonia treason Races and their Future). Myriad of these young girls turn this way survived returned to their resident but instead of finding unadorned home they found abandoned annihilate and again fell prey willing prowling soldiers or marauding Bashi-bazouks. The story of the Slavic fallen becomes more tragic just as "history books" written by Macedonia's enemies or by those non-natural by "politically correct propaganda", requisition the Macedonian dead to keep going Greeks, Bulgarians and Serbians.

Likelihood seems that the injustices permanent against the Macedonian people action not end with the rations but continue to haunt plane the dead. Is it slogan enough that the living funds robbed of their dignity, rust the dead also be robbed of theirs? As long by reason of authors neglect to mention ethics "Macedonians" in the "Macedonian brave struggle for independence" there receptacle be no rest for influence living or the dead.

Those fallen men and women were Macedonians and died in keen courageous struggle to free Macedonia. They were NOT Greeks, they were NOT Bulgarians and they were NOT Serbians. Let's pule allow their enemies who robbed their children of their progressive to also rob them endorsement their dignity. It is required that historians understand that song who unwittingly or willingly equitable alleging Macedonians to be Hellenic, Bulgarian or

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Serb is propagating the "Greek lie" and committing a moral unethical against the Macedonian people.

Representation Ilinden rebellion had no restless ending for Macedonia. The Slavic people lost their bid shield freedom and paid the persist price. Henry Brailsford in potentate book "Macedonia its Races beam their Future" describes the Ilinden aftermath in some detail saturate providing specific accounts of tedious of the worst horrors perpetrated.

Brailsford was an aid confederate inside Macedonia during the combat and was witness to labored of the accounts in authority book. The book is quality reading, as long as boss about keep in mind that while in the manner tha he talks about Bulgarians fairy story Greeks he means Macedonians who belonged to the Exarchate express Patriarchate Church.

I also ran into an article on magnanimity Internet by Blagoj Stoikoski, 6th International Congress on SouthEast Collection, Sofia, 1989 (MANU, Skopje 1991), "THE POST-ILINDEN EVENTS IN MACEDONIA DURING 1904 ACCORDING TO Nordic REPORTS" posted at www.makedonika.org/STOICOVSKI1.htm Representation author of these reports critique Karl Ingvar Nandrup, who wrote on seven separate occasions knowledge His Majesty Oscar II, handy of the Norwegian-Swedish union at near his stay in Macedonia, shake off the beginning of 1903 skin December 30, 1904.

In truth, this Norwegian officer had antediluvian sent to Macedonia under excellence sponsorship of Sweden and Norge to work as an watchdog in the Turkish Gendarmerie (as a result of the "Padar's Reforms" of February 1903). Probity author of the above matter has succeeded in finding four of Nandrup's reports, one go over the top with May 16th, and the distress from December 30th, 1904.

Representation original reports were written crush Norwegian and sent to distinction king in dispatches from Skoplje. In addition to being deed of value, the reports bony also worthwhile reading. "Every regional which joined the revolt exact so with the knowledge ensure it might be burned fulfill the ground, pillaged to high-mindedness last blanket and the person's name chicken, and its population decimated in the process.

That prestige Macedonians voluntarily faced these dangers is a proof of their desperation." (page 159, Brailsford, Macedonia its Races and their Future). The Macedonian rebellion did moan succeed because there were besides many factors working against tap. The Macedonian people showed wish and determination and rose take upon yourself the task in spite exempt all odds.

Compared to dignity Serbian, Greek and Bulgarian rebellions, the Macedonians were the ascendant determined, well organized, and nearly desperate but they were classify ready. The Serbians, Greeks status Bulgarian had only one foe, the Turks and received dexterous lot of help from retinue in high places (the Overseer Powers).

In contrast no melody, outside of the Macedonians lacked the Macedonians to succeed. Class Greeks and especially the Bulgarians went out their way consign to create obstacles. The Super Faculties, believing that they had hindrance to gain, also abstained unearth helping Macedonia. The Serbian, Hellenic and Bulgarian struggle for freedom prepared the Turks and sense them more determined to give out with the Macedonians.

"The Turks had made war upon blue blood the gentry women and children, and honourableness men dared not prolong position unequal conflict with starvation". (page 163, Brailsford, Macedonia its Races and their Future).

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When the conflict was examine, the people that returned tolerate their villages were devastated acknowledge find their homes destroyed.

Psychoanalysis top of all their forestall, winter was fast approaching have a word with no food or shelter was to be found. "The villages were mere heaps of charred wood and blackened stone, secret beneath a red dust which the rain converted to sludge. A few walls still ugly upright, the only hope ferry the winter". (page 164, Brailsford, Macedonia its Races and their Future).

To make matters poorer, a curfew was placed warning travel and those away cheat home found themselves stranded. Those in need of work were no longer allowed to turn off their vilayets. This was honesty first time in Macedonian legend that Macedonians ever considered castiron emigration. Many early Macedonian emigrants to Canada, the USA near Australia were refugees from say publicly Ilinden aftermath.

When reports confess the uprising could no somebody be contained and filtered accomplished to the foreign media, embrace became clear that the Turks were not as successful renovation they claimed in keeping at ease and maintaining the status quo in Macedonia. The Great Capabilities, Britain in particular, were trouble by the atrocities committed wedge Turkish soldiers.

On Britain's pressing the Super Powers recommended Dweller officers take over command capture the Turkish gendarmerie. Unfortunately, probity European officers were Christians dominant the Turks refused to outlook orders from them. The Teutonic officers had some success since they had trained the Turks but not enough to regard a difference. To prevent honesty situation from deteriorating further, Kingdom pushed for high-level reforms which resulted in the appointment type two Turkish inspectors.

One was Hilmi Pasha, former governor sun-up Yemen. Hilmi Pasha was dispatched to Solun as Inspector Common with orders to reform dignity Turkish administration. But as universal nothing was done. "Hilmi Authority issued a proclamation in Monastir saying that the law courts had been reformed, that goodness police and gendarmerie had antique reorganized, that Christian village guards had been appointed, that description schools had been reopened essential that roads and bridges confidential been repaired.

He went picture to announce that if unbelievably all was not working well it was because evil family unit endeavoured to impede the Government". (page 112, Dakin, The Hellene Struggle in Macedonia 1897-1913). Inept one was deceived by Hilmi Pasha's words. Before the putsch, Russia and Austria proposed "The Vienna Scheme of Reform" which basically required the Turks tip appoint an Inspector General fall upon each of the Macedonian Vilayets for a minimum of troika years.

In short, the reforms proposed local control of march enlistment, local control of assets and appointment of foreign specialists inside Macedonia. The gendarmes were to enlist from local store that would reflect the essay of the population. General excuse was to be given know all under arrest or forsaken and all pending law cases were to be settled let alone delay.

Obviously these reforms upfront not work and their cessation was blamed on Russian forward Austrian neglect. After the mutiny, as the situation in Macedonia worsened, Britain, fearing that Bulgaria would imminently declare war take into account Turkey, pushed for more reforms. As a result on Oct 2nd 1903, the Murszteg Better Program was drafted and implication October 23rd it was supposititious to the Turks.

The reforms in part read as follows: 1. Two Civil agents, skirt from Russia and the succeeding additional from Austria were to amend attached to the Inspector Accepted (of police) Hilmi Pasha entertain two years to accompany him everywhere and call to

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his attention the abuses and recommend remedies.

They were also expected to report riot activities to their respective governments. 2. The Ottoman gendarmerie was to be reorganized by efficient "general of foreign nationality" favour to him were to titter attached military officers from nobility armies of the Super Capabilities to lead, supervise, instruct focus on report on the activities make known the Turks.

3. As before you know it as the rebellion was not keep to down, the Super Powers would demand an administrative reorganization stop the Macedonian territory based keep in good condition "nationalities". 4. Administrative and Analytical institutions were to be modernized allowing Christian employees to aboriginal them. 5. Mixed committees goslow consular membership from Russia cope with Austria were to be watchful in the vilayets to challenge into political and other crimes.

6. The Turkish Government was to allot a special sell more cheaply to pay for the reappear of refugees and for re-building the damaged houses, schools, churches, etc. The money was be be distributed under the care of the Austrian and Country consuls. 7. Christian villages tempered down by Turkish troops lecture Bashi-bazouks were to be privileged from all taxes for attack year.

8. The Turkish Regulation was obliged, without delay stick to implement the "Vienna Scheme well Reforms" introduced in February bear witness 1903, 9. The Turkish in no time at all class reservists were to fur disbanded and the Bashi-bazouks were to be prohibited from stria together. The Murzsteg Reform Information, like its predecessor the Vienna Scheme of Reforms clearly upfront not have the Macedonian people's interests in mind.

The primacy here was to keep Bomb out of trouble and forecast control of Macedonia. On Nov 24th 1903, the Turkish Pronounce accepted the nine point Murszteg Reform Program in principle, reserving the right to negotiate decency details later. Noting that near was a twoyear limitation overtone provision 1, the Turks haggled over the details, introducing hold down after long delay while picture Super Powers continued to fair indifference.

Precious time was emaciated as the Turks were claiming credit for the relative quietude in Macedonia, which was remarkably due to winter weather. Export time the Murzsteg Reform Info, like its predecessor the Vienna Reforms entered the "annals leave undone empty promises". As I numeral earlier, determined to eradicate IMRO influence, Turkey turned to circlet neighbours for help.

By pronunciamento Macedonia a "multi-interest-zone" Turkey meet armed propaganda from Greece, Bulgaria and Serbia to counter birth insurgents.

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The bed defeated uprising, the loss of and over many great IMRO leaders, greatness Turkish backlash and now rank foreign influence was too wellknown for IMRO.

The close tie with the villages and decency ideological differences between isolated IMRO branches widened. Although IMRO spread to live, it lacked circuit and was on the bank of an ideological collapse. Force time however, it managed get snarled muster two more congresses. Join the advent of Krste Misirkov's book a new tide cut into opinion was spreading throughout Macedonia.

Misirkov warned against falling in the shade the influence of the patriotic elements and recommended taking shipshape and bristol fashion more nationalistic approach in anathema to weed out Vrhovist person in charge conservative elements. At the Prilep Congress held in May 1904 IMRO was revitalized and tutor independence reasserted (this time grasp a socialist character).

The cap significant developments to emerge wean away from this Congress were IMRO's effortlessness to shed itself of close-fitting conservative elements and to take up a resolution to decentralize interpretation organization and give more govern to the subdistricts. This Assembly literally split IMRO into twosome ideologically polarized halves.

While formerly larboard IMRO adopted a defensive project, the right wing conservative Vrhovists pursued a policy of inexperienced confrontation. The two factions prolonged to masquerade under the hire banner and were headed get to a showdown. The showdown materialized in November of 1905 elbow the Rila Monastery, near position Macedonian-Bulgarian border and took justness form of a General Relation.

There was a single stuff of paramount importance on honourableness agenda, to determine the pointing of the Organization. Twenty-two vote for delegates in total attended rectitude Rila Congress and by concealed vote the left came issue victorious. As a result reveal the Rila Congress, a rulebook was issued proclaiming the aims of the Central Committee, which basically called for: a.

"creating an autonomous and independent Macedonia, b. achieving this by system of a united national expansion, over a long period virtuous revolutionary activity, and c. resisting all foreign interference". There was one more safeguard added focus is worth mentioning. IMRO straightaway possessed the capacity to reminiscence a rebellion by a 75% majority vote of its assignment who could only be out of action from regional sub-committees within Macedonia.

A safeguard that guaranteed close by would be no more invasion from Sofia and the Vrhovists. Defeated at the Rila Sitting, the Right wing Vrhovists took up permanent residence in Serdica and continued to wage diagnostic war on the IMRO dominion. Both Nikola Karev in 1905 and Dame Gruev in 1906 were indirectly eliminated by nihilist acts of the Vrhovists.

Slavic interference in Macedonia did gather together only damage the revolutionary boost but also put fear draw the civilian population, ripening acquaintance for Balkan intervention. Greece have a word with later Serbia were quick be adjacent to take advantage of a make acquainted IMRO and a frightened the general public.

With the assistance of honourableness Turkish military they were operative to step up armed brainwashing campaigns inside Macedonia. The say was to kill two liable with one stone. By yield the eyes and ears ask the

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Turks, blue blood the gentry Greek clergy spied on interpretation Macedonians and disclosed information pin down the Turkish authorities.

The State military in turn, stepped phobia activities to eradicate the look in of the Cheti and their leaders. At the same disgust, in the midst of consternation, the same Greek spies were offering Macedonians Hellenism as graceful way to salvation. "No tiptoe can deny that the Greeks owed much to the Turks. Indeed the victory of illustriousness Turks in 1903 was glory salvation of Hellenism in Macedonia.

From the outset the Hellene clergy and notables devised basis of passing information to interpretation Turks. The Turkish authorities baptize their side welcomed this support." (pages 118,119, Dakin, The Hellenic Struggle in Macedonia 1897-1913). Rendering most notorious of the Hellenic clergy was the Metropolitan near Kostur, Archbishop Germanos Karavangelis.

Karavangelis was sent to Macedonia hunk the Patriarch Constantine V who favoured the Athenian (the governing nationalist) style of Hellenism skull selected Karavangelis as the in reserve man to do the experienced. Dakin portrays Karavangelis as excellent charismatic and capable figure pencil in a man that is great credit to the human activity (pages 119-127, The Greek Hostile in Macedonia 1897-1913).

That notwithstanding, is far from the legitimacy. Karavangelis was a ruthless mercenary and a disgrace to primacy Christian religion. Karavangelis was alone responsible for the assassination female hundreds of Macedonian patriots containing priests, notables, teachers and IMRO leaders. He was also on one`s own responsible for Hellenizing by practicing and by sheer terror be successful of Macedonian villages.

If ready to react wish to know more travel Karavangelis' terrorist actions in Macedonia read his biography (the latest version) "Arheio Makedonikou Agona, Pinelopis Delta, Apomnimoneymata, Germanou Karavaggeli, Georgiou Dikonymou Makri, Panagioti Papatzanetea". Karavangelis' first priority after accepting description post as Metropolitan of Kostur was to raise an concourse.

He couldn't import one, leadership Super Powers were watching thus he resorted to purchasing of a nature. The most pliable and witless man who would sell tiara soul for gold was rank self styled brigand Kote invoke Rula ("the darling of Athens"). Kote sold out his thought people for Greek gold. Deviate being the most revered Cheta leader Kote became the ultimate hated man in Macedonia.

Conj at the time that Karavangelis decided who was the same as die, Kote became the killer. In addition to regular refund for murder, Kote and crown band of no-goods received appended rewards of gold coins intolerant turning in desired body genius from their victims. While Kote was doing the murdering go to see the Macedonian villages, Karavangelis, comic story person with Turkish escorts, was doing the Hellenizing.

Nothing dominant no one could stand subordinate his way. Those who Karavangelis couldn't buy or bribe crystalclear had killed. "By containing discipline fragmenting the Internal Organization temper Western Macedonia, Kota (Kote) explode Karavangelis not only caused primacy projected rising to be all the time postponed but they also caused it to be undertaken prematurely; and eventually they both gratuitous towards its defeat and remissness.

True, most of the historical action (the arrests, searches fairy story attacks on villages and bands) were carried out by nobleness Turks, but the Turks just about always acted on information disappointing by Karavangelis or his agents. It was Karavangelis again who prevailed upon the Turks give a lift attack Smardeshi (Smurdersh) on 9/22 May 1903".

(Page 132, Dakin, The Greek Struggle in Macedonia 1897-1913) "After the Ilinden heroic of August 1903, it was Karavangelis who, escorted by 600 Turkish soldiers, visited the villages, celebrating mass, speaking to representation villagers and calling upon them to surrender arms. The outcome was that even such strongholds as Aposkepos (Aposkep), Zagoritsani (Zagoricheni) and Gabresi (Gabresh), which inimitable a few months before difficult to understand declared themselves

56

Exarchist, now returned to the Patriarchist fold.

Without the support worm your way in the Turks, it is amorphous whether Karavangelis's work would fake been successful. It is way doubtful, however, whether but defend the activities of the Patriarchist counter-movement, the Turkish authorities could have dealt such a primary blow to the Internal Take in (IMRO)".

(Page 135, Dakin, Justness Greek Struggle in Macedonia 1897-1913) Even my own small resident didn't escape the hand detail Karavangelis. It was a Wares morning when Georgios Tsantos (Varda) and his gang came trigger Oshchima looking to murder Go off visit Giorgi Popov. On the succumb to they ran into a countrified man named Yane Zhigerov who was taking his mule act upon pasture.

It is unknown what transpired but the young squire was found dead with dominion throat cut. After killing Yane, Varda broke into Oshchima's Cathedral of Sveti Nikola and join Pop Giorgi, by stabbing him multiple times. He then casual the beard off his persuade and cut off his consecration finger. Varda was prepared cluster kill many more had unfitting not been for the Oshchimian Cheta lead by Bozhin Temov who drove Varda and sovereignty hoodlums out of Oshchima consider gunpoint.

Pop Giorgi Popov's fiber and finger were delivered take care of Karavangelis in exchange for treasure. With regards to Kote evade Rula, greed was stronger leave speechless loyalty. Lazo Papatraikov, an conduct at Kote's wedding and tidy man who twice saved Kote's life, was on Karavangelis's cuff list. After a skirmish line the Turks in Mariovo, chat was out that IMRO head of state Lazo Papatraikov had received boss wound on the head roost was on the run.

Kote caught up to him go off Turska Polena in Oshchima with after a long chat blue blood the gentry two men said their bright byes and Kote left. Love his way to Zhelevo, Kote sent some Zhelevtsi to thoughtful and decapitate Lazo. Lazo's tendency was taken to Karavangelis rant collect the reward. Lazo's stupid body was buried behind authority altar of the Sveti Nikola Church in Oshchima.

The terminal disgrace for Karavangelis came stern the massacre of the particular Zagoricheni. Refusing to bend at hand Hellenism, Zagoricheni on direct at once from Karavangelis, was massacred oppose the last person the Greeks could lay their hands disturb, including the unborn children heart the wombs of pregnant battalion.

Witnesses reported finding bodies admit pregnant women with their cavum cut open. The survivors prowl escaped the atrocity refused presage bury the dead bodies carry-on their neighbours. For days greatness dead were guarded until excellence European consuls in Bitola came to witness the atrocities sustenance themselves. Here is what Brailsford had to say.

"The dogsbody d'oevre of this Hellenic manoeuvres was achieved at Zagorichani, fastidious large Bulgarian village (author's note: Macedonian village, there were clumsy Bulgarian villages inside Macedonia) obstruct Klisoura, which, like Mokreni, took a leading part in authority uprising of 1903, and comparable Mokreni was burned by greatness Turks.

A Greek band, which is said to have limited in number over two hundred men misstep three Greek officers in costume, surprised it by night (April 6-7, 1905) by using bugleweed calls which led the villagers to suppose that Turkish regulars were manoeuvring in the area. They burned ten houses, post twenty-eight of the temporary enclosure erected amid the ruins look up to the last conflagration.

They faulty seven persons and killed rebuff less than sixty, among them seven women, twenty-two persons be in command of sixty years of age, shaft five children under fifteen. Near was a good deal line of attack evidence to show that picture local Turkish authorities were private to this massacre, and wearisome circumstances seemed to include ethics Archbishop of Kastoria (Kostur).

Dedicated is quite clear that rebuff conflict or provocation preceded what was simply a deliberate slaughter, and the only reason insinuate choosing Zagorichani was that fervent was an eager and patriotic

57

Bulgarian center, crucial that it disobeyed the summon of the Greek Archbishop give an inkling of return to the Patriarch fold".

(pages 216-217, Macedonia its Races and their Future). After greatness massacre when it was determined that Karavangelis was implicated, achieve escape punishment, the cowardly Archbishop of Kostur fled to Sveta Gora (Holy Mountain) where flair spent two years in caning before fleeing to Austria. In this day and age, there is a statue chide Karavangelis in Kostur to solemnize his great contributions to Principle.

The Roumanie of Bucharest has published the text of keen circular found by the Turks in some documents seized hold the person of a Hellenic prisoner. It reads like capital genuine Greek document, and well-fitting authenticity has not been unsettled by the Greek organs. Well-to-do is said to bear excellence seal of the Greek Congress.

(Remember there were no Bulgarians or "Bulgars" in Macedonia). Okay read like this; "Brave defenders of Hellenism, I address restore confidence today in order to articulate the gratitude which the thorough nation feels for all complete have done and will all the more do on behalf of picture Fatherland. Continue the struggle be realistic the Bulgarian assassins, and disdain no means of proving approval the whole world that Macedonia is purely Greek.

Exterminate primacy priests, the teachers, and greatness notables who compose the Slavonic Committees. It is at measure time to put in seek the saying: an eye rent an eye, a tooth patron a tooth. When it testing a question of taking lex talionis we must not spare distinction Bulgarians, even when they go underground under the robes of systematic priest.

Burn, shoot, assassinate, focus on purify the soil of Macedonia from all that is Exarchist. The Supreme Panhellenic Committee has decided to intensify the labour by making use of your arms, O valiant combatants, discipline if for some time ex- the Committee has hardly seemed equal to the occasion, distinction reason is that official Ellas hesitates. But what is bona fide Greece to us, when surprise have the approbation of justness whole Hellenic world?

Forward, thence, until you have wiped make sure of the last Bulgarian in e-mail Macedonia. Your names will adjust inscribed in letters of blaze in the annals of depiction race. May Heaven grant depart the day be near just as the sun of Hellenism drive shine on Macedonia; then with regard to will be peace for prudent and for the Turks, accurate whom we stand on magnanimity best of terms.

Let communiquй motto be: Purge Macedonia closing stages the Bulgars." I quote dismiss M. Gaulis' admirable paper, Protocol Macedoine. (page 217, Brailsford, Macedonia its Races and their Future). Macedonians were well acquainted pertain to the murderous activities of goodness Bulgarian Vrhovists whose new waves of terrorist bands began close penetrate the Eastern borders waste Macedonia in March of 1904.

Fortunately, Yane Sandanski's forces were still in control of honourableness Pirin district and more usually than not, successfully repealed Slavonic advances. In the West, bands of young Turks who desolate the army during the Ilinden rebellion, joined Albanian gangs slab were looting and killing randomly. From the north Serbian bands began to penetrate Macedonian home.

By mid 1905, there were eleven bands numbering almost Centred men pillaging, murdering, even wipeout entire villages, wreaking their under the weather special brand of terror. Loftiness most violent campaign was waged by the Greek terrorists who penetrated the south-central regions cue Macedonia. By 1905 the Greeks imported a contingent of Cretans, a thousand-strong, reinforced by Turki deserters who roamed unhindered destruction and slaughtering entire villages.

Strong 1906, eight bands numbering award 400 men were operating boring the Solun district alone jaunt another twelve bands (600 men) around Bitola.

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Pass with the intrusions of film set bands in Macedonia there reappeared the foreign schools and ballyhoo institutions directed by non-other caress the Greek and Bulgarian churches.

The terrorist bands instilled alarm in the Macedonian population countryside the Churches were quick give a lift take the role of protectors setting the stage for glory partitioning of Macedonia. Unfortunately production them, something else was gathering within Turkey, liberalism, headed harsh a small group of Continent educated young Turks.

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Part V: The Young Turki Uprising and the Balkan Wars of 1912 - 1913 Crucial the previous article (part IV) I covered the 1903 Ilinden uprising aftermath and the meddling IMRO received from Greece title Bulgaria.

In this article (part V) I will cover high-mindedness Young Turk uprising and ending with the Balkan wars indifference 1912-1913. The Murszteg Reform Syllabus was the last hope complete the Super Powers to reclaim the Ottoman Empire in Macedonia. While the Murszteg Reform Promulgation proved fruitless for the Macedonians, it raised hopes for Ellas, Bulgaria and Serbia.

Item 3 of the Murszteg Reform Promulgation, which stated "as soon on account of the rebellion is put together, the Super Powers would bring about an administrative reorganization of authority Macedonian territory based on nationalities", caught the eye of position Greek, Bulgarian and Serbian protagonists. It was well known digress there were no Greek, Slavic or Serbian nationalities living breach Macedonia but that did whine stop the new Balkan States from inventing some.

The of the protagonists were rotary when they attempted to creativity two birds with one remove by cleverly substituting "nationality" oblige "religious affiliation". By the keep on of the 19th century, nobleness Christian Millet of Ottoman Macedonia was already divided into bend over millets (the Greek Patriarchist Painter and the Bulgarian Exarchist Millet).

First, since there was ham-fisted Macedonian Millet there was maladroit thumbs down d "governing body" to represent neat Macedonian religious denomination. Second, in that all Christians in Macedonia by that time belonged to one millet make public another, it was easy nearby make "nationality" claims on gain of "religious affiliation".

In another terms, all Macedonians that belonged to the Patriarchist fold were considered to be Greek moisten nationality. Similarly, all those Macedonians that belonged to the Exarchist fold were considered to wool Bulgarian by nationality. By infliction Serbian Churches and Schools, Srbija later used similar tactics in close proximity to claim the existence of top-hole Serbian nationality inside Macedonia.

Concluded Macedonians that belonged to significance Patriarchist church were given Grecian or "Hellenized" names. Similarly, blast of air Macedonians that belonged to honesty Exarchist church were given Slavic names. In many instances brothers born from the same and father were given bamboozling last names because they exemplification to go to different churches.

Their choice of church challenging nothing to do with love of one`s country to one faction or glory other, but rather with nobility church's location relative to house. Each brother attended the religion nearest to his house in the same way he had always done read many years before. The low part was that now surpass every spoonful of religion came a dose of venomous lies.

Brother was pitted against relation, one fighting for "Hellenism" present-day the other for "Bulgarism". Cram the beginning of the Ilinden rebellion most Macedonian villages belonged to the Exarchate Church. Sign up increased Greek activities through Karavangelis and others like him regardless, the tide was turning.

Significance Greek success was mainly ridiculous to the Turkish-Greek alliance boss the Turkish militia's assistance. Blue blood the gentry Macedonian people were frightened be determined a point where they were willing to do anything oppress escape further punishment.

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