The ancient period. In the beginning of II millenium B.C. the area which began to be called as Macedonia later, has been taken mainly illirijtsami in the west and Thracians in the east. After the millenium mountain areas Orestidy (near present Kastorii) and a river Aljakmon valley have been populated with a tribe, naming themselves Macedonians. Some centuries after this seminomadic tribe have seized a territory part between lake Lihnitis (Ohridsky) in the west, average watercourse Aksius (Vardar) in the north, the rivers Strimon in the east and mountain the Olympus in the south. Originally this area was called Imatija, and then has been renamed into Macedonia. Bottom, or Southern Macedonia was directly under the power of Macedonian leaders who have enslaved or have superseded former inhabitants of Thrace while the Top Macedonia has been populated with independent tribes, related illirijtsam and to Macedonians.
After failures of attempts of Persian tsar Kserksa to subdue Macedonia, and then and Greece in the beginning of 5 centuries B.C. Macedonian tsars have untied struggle for the power over territory between Aljakmonom and Strimonom. As a result one of tsars, Phillip II (rules in 359–336 B.C.) from sort Argeadov, has won. He was at war against illirijtsev, has seized not Macedonian Greek colonies Halkidiki, annexed territory between the rivers Strimon and nestos, has subordinated to itself Thrace and then has intruded in a southern part of Greece. In 337 Phillip has called representatives of the Greek cities-states and has created obshchegrechesky the union (the Corinthian congress). When Phillip has been killed, to the power his son Alexander the Great (Macedonian) which has subordinated tribes to the south from Danube has come, has destroyed Thebes as inhabitants of this city have risen against it, and then has led the makedonsko-Greek armies to Asia. Alexander has won empire of Persians and for 11 years of military campaigns has expanded the possession to the river Indus and has seized Egypt.
After Alexander's death in Babylon the huge empire has been divided between its military leaders, thus Macedonia has departed to antipatru. The epoch ellinisticheskoj the cultures, begun after disintegration of empire of Alexander the Great, became an epoch of synthesis of the Greek, Egyptian and Persian cultures. In 3 centuries B.C. to Macedonia and Thrace from the north the Celtic tribes which have crossed Hellespont (Dardanelless) have intruded and have entered Asia Minor, however have not rendered appreciable influence on Macedonia. In 148 B.C. Romans have attached the Macedonian kingdom to the empire. The period of eight-century Roman board from now on begins.
In the Middle Ages and New time vlahi Rashki (medieval Serbia), Macedonia, Thessaly, Epirus and Bulgaria were considered as descendants of the Balkan local residents, podvergshihsja romanizatsii. After section of Roman empire during 395 our era Macedonia has been switched on in structure of East Roman (Byzantian) empire. Invasions of Slavs. Attacks it is ready, vandals and gunnov in 4–5 centuries have slightly changed ethnic shape of this area. However in the end of 6 centuries in Macedonia there was such important ethnic element, as Slavs and the avars speaking in slavic language. Among slavic tribes which were settled across all Macedonia, were sagudaty (to the west Salonik), rinhiny (on p-ove Halkidiki), smoljane (to the east from Vardara), dragovichi (along top and average watercourse Vardar and on Pelagonijsky plain), berzity (in Top, or Northwest, Macedonia) and velegezity (in Southern Macedonia and Thessaly). These tribes, poselilivshiesja to the east from the river Struma, began to be called strumjanami.
Slavic invasions of 6-7 centuries have compelled the Byzantian empire to refuse from bolshej parts of Macedonia. However Slavs did not manage to seize or destroy main Macedonian cities – Saloniki, Sulfur, Edesa and Verija. Later Byzantian emperor Irakly (rules in 610–641) has subordinated slavic tribes. To weaken rebellious Slavs, the Byzantian emperors have violently moved some of them from territory of Macedonia to Asia Minor and have replaced with their Scythians who have lodged along bottom watercourse Struma, and also kreshchenymi Turks (vardariotami) which have been settled around the river Vardar. In 7 centuries Volga bulgary have seized lower reaches of Danube and have moved further on the south. By the end of 9 centuries they have created a kingdom which was switching on actually all Macedonia, except Salonik. Interfering with the Bulgarian threat, Byzantium settled in the Western Thrace Armenians and other people. Nevertheless within the whole century Slavs of Macedonia remained under the power of Bulgarians.
Christianity distribution. Macedonian cities were one of the first urban communities of the Mediterranean, accepted Christianity. In this area apostle Paul attended to missionary activity. To 4 centuries Macedonia was almost completely kreshchena. However slavic invasions revived in the seized territories jazychestvo; the exception was made by the cities which were under the power of Byzantium (including Saloniki – Cyril's native land and Mefodija).
The church has started the sermon of the Gospel among slavic pagans in 7 century, hristianizatsija proceeded Constantinople patriarchy in 8 centuries Nevertheless to the middle of 9 centuries there were kreshcheny only Slavs of a southern part of Macedonia, the circulation of Slavs on the earths of northern Macedonia has occurred after their grab by Bulgarians. After acceptance of Christianity (865) Bulgarian tsar Boris (rules in 872–889) and his son Simeon (rules in 893–927) have invited monks Klimenta and Nauma to Macedonia to edify local population in Christian belief. They became Cyril's pupils and Mefodija. Macedonian archiepiscopate in Ohride became the religious centre from which writing on Cyrillics and orthodox belief extended across all Serbia, Bulgaria and the Kiev Russia.
However subsequently there was an opposition again created tserkvam in Macedonia. Since 10 centuries here extends dualisticheskoe religious movement bogomilstva («church Dregovitsky»). Samuil and Byzantium. The first Bulgarian kingdom has fallen under blows of rebels in a northwest part of Bulgaria (revolt has been lifted on an instigation bogomilov in Macedonia), and also armies of Kiev prince Svjatoslava (mind. In 972) and Byzantian emperor John I TSimishija (mind. In 976). In the western part of Bulgaria there was a West Bulgarian kingdom (976–1018), the tsar became Samuil (mind. In 1014) which has made the capital Ohrid. In 1014 Byzantian emperor Vasily II has broken army Samuila, and in some years Byzantium has completely taken possession of Macedonia.
After restoration of the Byzantian board and unsuccessful revolts of Macedonian Slavs in 1040–1041 and 1072–1073 (and partly successful revolts of other Balkan Slavs) many bogomily ran on the north in Rashku, and therefrom – to Bosnia. During 4th Crusade (1204–1205) Southern Macedonia and Saloniki has passed into possession Bonifatsija Monferratsky; Northern Macedonia has been occupied new Bulgarian, or vlaho-Bulgarian, the state created in 1185 after successful revolt against Byzantium. However in second half of 13 centuries Macedonia has departed again to Byzantium.
The medieval period. By the end of 13 centuries princes of dynasty nemanichej from Rashki (Serbia) have extended the power to northern and northwest Macedonia. In the beginning of 14 centuries Catalan soldiers (employed by Byzantium for wars in Asia Minor against a Turk and in Thrace against Bulgarians) have passed border and have started to plunder southern Macedonia. In days of board Stefana Dushana Nemanja (1331–1355) Epirus, Thessaly and all Macedonia, except for Salonik, were a part of Serbia. In 1346 Skopjes became capital of a new kingdom – serbo-Greek, and Stefan Dushan has been proclaimed «by the tsar of Serbs and Greeks».
After death Dushana Macedonia has been divided between ten Serbian land owners, most powerful of which were representatives of sort Mrnjavchevichej. Southeast Macedonia has passed under power Jovana Ugleshi Mrnjavchevicha, and area Prizren – Skopje – Prilep was under the power of his brother Vukashina. However Vukashin and Uglesha were lost on September, 26th 1371 in Maritsky fight with Turks (at CHernomene). Son Vukashina, king's son Marko, the liked hero of the Serbian, Macedonian and West Bulgarian epic poems, became the Turkish vassal. To 1394 all Macedonia, except for some its southern parts, it has appeared in hands a Turk.
Osmansky yoke. As a result osmanskoj occupations of Macedonia the part of the Christian population has been destroyed. Many feudal lords ran on the West and the north, the part from them has made a compromise with osmanskoj the power, and some have accepted Islam. The number a Turk and Moslems in Macedonia was insignificant till 15-16 a century when Turks-nomads from Anatolys who were called jurjukami, have been moved osmanskim by the government in area rural districts. The second wave islamizatsii has ceased in second half 17 century, during time and after Kandijsky (venetsiano-Turkish) war (1645–1669) and wars of Sacred league (1683–1699). In east Macedonia and Bulgaria paid in Islam during this period have entitled pomakov (assistants) as they served in Ottoman empire in local police forces or in auxiliary armies. The circulation in Islam occurred at that time and in other areas. In 19 centuries osmanskoe the government has lodged in a number of places of Macedonia of Moslems-Circassians. Besides, after clearing of Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Bulgaria from osmanskogo yokes many Moslems left these territories and settled in Macedonia.
The population of Macedonia constantly opposed osmanskogo boards and islamizatsii. In 1560th years, the last years boards Sulejmana Magnificent, in Macedonia revolt against osmanskogo yokes has begun. Even more significant on revolt scales flashed during avstro-Turkish wars (1593–1606, 1683–1699).
In 1689 armies Gabsburgov have taken Skopje. In districts Kratovo and Zletovo in the northeast of Macedonia otkupshchiki traditionally used compulsory labour for working out of deposits of natural minerals. When armies Gabsburgov have come to this area, one of miners, Karposh, has headed revolt against a Turk (1689). In 1690, after care of the Austrians, revolt has been suppressed by Turks, Karposh is killed, and many Macedonians are sold in slavery. Other part of Macedonians ran to Vojvodina which was under the Austrian board.
Growth of mutinies has been connected partly with distribution to second half of 16 centuries of system "chiftlik" (turetsk. «A pair team of an oxen»). This system was characterised by occurrence of a class of new land owners to which peasants have been compelled to give a part of production. In 16 centuries cities have grown and there was a market of agricultural production. Growth of the population and the industry in the Western Europe in 18 centuries has increased demand for grain crops, a clap both other raw materials and agricultural products. Macedonia became one of the basic areas of the Balkans in whom there was the class of dealers consisting in basic from the Greeks and vlahov and partly of Slavs.
Well-founded Macedonian merchants formed influential local aristocracy and at times became powerful governors (for example, the Ali-pasha Tepelensky of JAniny). Some merchants showed liking to ideas of the French revolution and to movement for independence over which supervised Karageorgy Petrovich from Serbia; many Macedonian vlahi were active supporters of the Serbian movement for independence. In 1807–1808 in Macedonia and the next areas there were some revolts, rukovodimyh leaders the guerrilla which wished to unite with armies Karageorgija. They showed similar liking to struggle for independence of Greece in 1821.
National problems and nationalism. In the beginning of 19 centuries the Christian population of Macedonia partially entered in Rumeliju – so the Byzantian earths seized by Ottoman empire named. About third of population Moslems, basically a Turkish origin made, in cities Moslems-Slavs and Albanians made minority, in rural districts Moslems-Albanians and Moslems-Slavs were settled in Place riverheads. In cities Turks, Greeks, Jews, Armenians and vlahi prevailed. Jews immigrated in second half 15 and throughout only 16 centuries from Hungary, Spain and Italy. The slavic element has acquired some significance in cities only after 1860.
The share of Slavs in the population of Macedonia has decreased because of emigration of Slavs in 1690, immigrations of Albanians throughout 16 centuries and after 1690, and also in cities of Greeks and vlahov at 18-19 a century In northern part of Macedonia in days of Napoleon Slavs made occurrences more than half of population, in a southern part – less than third, and about third of population Greeks made. However the share of the Greek population has grown as a result ellinizatsii many vlahov and some more prosperous Slavs. Both in northern, and in southern parts of Macedonia the power has been concentrated in hands a Turk, whereas the economic power to 1860 – in hands of Greeks, Jews and vlahov.
Formation of slavic national consciousness in Macedonia has tested influence of national-liberation movement in Greece 1821–1829. Largely distribution of Russian influence has affected him after Napoleonic wars and Russian-Turkish war 1828–1829 also. The Adrianople world (1829) has destroyed trade monopoly of Greeks on East Balkans.
The lowest clergy of Macedonia with hostility adjusted to the Greek hierarches to the first promoted distribution of slavic consciousness among Macedonian Slavs. The important role in it monasteries Osogovo and Lesnovo have played. After 1860 slavic patriotism has captured also secular more formed circles, especially in the Plane and Ohride. Nevertheless the significant part of the slavic population of Macedonia has not like spirit of national consciousness even in critical years of Macedonian history (1900, 1912, 1945), preferring the union with Greece or Bulgaria.
Ekzarhat and VMRO. In 1870 osmanskoe the government under the pressure of Russia has allowed to found Bulgarian ekzarhat. Creation of the national clergy, called to replace foreign (Greek) was the Main purpose ekzarhata. Many Bulgarians and bolgarizovannye Macedonians used the new church organisation for creation of schools with training in the Bulgarian language. After 1890 in Macedonia the Greek, Bulgarian, Serbian and Romanian orthodox churches competed.
In 1876 revolt of Christian peasantry of Bosnia and Herzegovina has extended also on areas of Macedonia and Bulgaria, but it has been severely suppressed by Turks. In Saloniki the French and German consuls who considered as instigators of revolts have been killed. Russian-Turkish war 1877–1878 was finished by signing the Dignity-Stefansky of the world which provided creation of Great Bulgaria with inclusion in it almost all Macedonia (without Salonik). After interference of the Great Britain and Austria conditions a world Dignity-Stefansky have the same year undergone to revision on the Berlin congress, and Macedonia remained as a part of Turkey.
After 1885 in Saloniki, Plovdiv and Sofia Macedonian revolutionary mugs have been organised. In 1893 two Macedonian teachers (Gotse Delchev and Damjan Gruev) have based secret company in Saloniki, later transformed to the Internal Macedonian revolutionary organisation (VMRO). Delchev, Gruev both their supporters to Yana Sandansky and Gorche Petrov considered, that Macedonia can achieve clearing only as a result of internal revolution in which it is necessary to involve a population great bulk. Such organisation has been based in 1894 in Velese as the first socialist group of workers of Macedonia under the guidance of Vasilja Glavinova. The same year at the Bulgarian imperial court yard the so-called Supreme revolutionary committee into which officers of the Bulgarian army and a number of Macedonian emigrants have entered has been generated. The committee aspired to convince Macedonian Slavs that Macedonia can be released only at support of Bulgaria.
VMRO has resulted from movement for a Macedonian autonomy and it has initially been with hostility adjusted to ekzarhatu and to the Bulgarian officers. However soon into numbers VMRO began to get so-called supremisty – agents of the Bulgarian Supreme revolutionary committee; position VMRO has become complicated after the decision of Greece, Romania and Serbia to organise own guerrilla groups for the purpose restrictions of influence of Bulgaria.
To 1902 VMRO has broken up on two hostile fractions: the right wing supported joining to Bulgaria, and left – for an autonomy of Macedonia within the limits of the Balkan federation. At secret congress in the beginning 1903 adherents Bulgarian supremistov in VMRO have convinced delegates of necessity to lift revolt. Revolt has begun on August, 2nd, in Ilyin day (therefore and has received the name Ilindensky) in southwest area of Macedonia (Bitolsky vilajet, sovr. Bitola), proceeded two months and it has been suppressed by osmanli Turks. During revolt its leader Nikola Karev has proclaimed socialist republic in the mountain vlaho-slavic city of Krushevo. Soon VMRO has almost entirely passed under the control of supporters of the Bulgarian hegemony, and thousand Macedonians from revolt area have emigrated to Bulgaria, Serbia, the USA and Canada. Section of Macedonia. In 1912 Serbia, Bulgaria, Greece and Montenegro have formed the military union against Turkey, and on October, 9th 1912 1st Balkan war which have followed war of Turkey with Italy in Tripolitania and antiosmanskoe revolt in Albania has flashed. Allies have achieved large military successes, and Macedonia has been released from osmanskogo yokes. However winners could not agree about section of territories after the end of war on May, 30th 1913.
Serbia which exit to Adriatic sea was interfered by Austria, wished to receive бoльшую a share of Macedonia; its part as it was supposed, should depart Bulgaria under confidential serbsko-Bulgarian agreement 1912. Subject to the conditions agreements for the permission of the serbsko-Bulgarian territorial dispute Serbia intended to address to Russian tsar. However on June, 29th 1913 Bulgarian armies have attacked Serbia. After that Greece, Romania and Turkey, protecting own interests, have entered war on the party of Serbia. As a result of 2nd Balkan war which have ended on August, 10th 1913, Bulgaria has lost territories on all directions. Behind it there was only northeast part of Macedonia – Pirinsky edge. The southern part – Egejsky Macedonia – has departed to Greece, and the western and central parts – Vardarsky Macedonia – to Serbia. To achieve a revenge, the Bulgarian government during the First World War has joined to tsentralnoevropejskim to powers, has opposed Serbia and Greece and occupied Vardarsky Macedonia and a part of Egejsky Macedonia. After defeat of Germany and its allies Bulgaria has been compelled to return the occupied areas, and also to concede a number of other territories of Greece and Serbia.
In 1918 Vardarsky Macedonia as a part of Serbia became a part of Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes. Such decision has erected new friction between Yugoslavia and neighbouring states. After First World War VMRO created the armed groups which were directed from Bulgaria to the Greek and the Yugoslavian Macedonia for realisation of acts of terrorism. In 1923 insurgents VMRO have killed the leader of the Bulgarian agricultural national union, the prime minister of Bulgaria Alexander Stambolijskogo, maintaining friendly relations with Yugoslavia. In 1924 lead in VMRO has passed to Ivan Mihajlovu who has organised murder of many political opponents and promoted secret plot for the purpose murders of Yugoslavian king Alexander in 1934. Within 10 years (1924–1934) Mihajlov was the actual dictator of the Bulgarian Macedonia that was equitable to interests of Sofia. However in 1934 Bulgarian military dictatorship has stopped activity VMRO, and Mihajlov ran to Turkey.
In 1941 Bulgaria has entered the Second World War on the party of Germany and occupied бoльшую a part of the Greek Macedonia (areas of the Florin and Kastorija), East Macedonia along with the Western Thrace, and also almost all Yugoslavian Macedonia. Other territory has been taken by the Italian armies. Underground movement of resistance in which communists dominated, has arisen on all Balkan earths. However the Central committees of the Yugoslavian and Bulgarian communist parties have entered the conflict as each of them achieved the control over resistance movement in the Yugoslavian Macedonia. In the beginning 1943 chairman of National committee of clearing of Yugoslavia Iosip Broz Tito has directed Montenegrin Svetozara Vukmanovicha (general Tempo) for the organisation of Macedonian section of national-liberation movement. The Bulgarian communists and could not reconcile completely with this decision. On November, 29th 1945 the Federal National Republic Yugoslavia which structure included also Macedonia has been proclaimed.
In August 1947 Tito and the prime minister of Bulgaria George Dimitrov have met in Blede and have agreed that all Macedonia (or at least a part Greek and all Bulgarian Macedonia) in long run will enter into the union with the Yugoslavian Macedonia provided that Bulgaria becomes a component of Federation of the Balkan states. Fulfilment of a part of the agreement, the concerning Greek Macedonia, depended on successes the guerrilla in Greece. After rupture in 1948 relations between the Yugoslavian and Soviet communists Yugoslavia has terminated support of Greek communists guided by Moscow. After death Tito in Macedonia movement for independence has amplified, however already in 1982 there was a movement for independent Albanian republic Iliridu; in Switzerland and Prishtina (Kosovo) there were committees of assistance to the Albanian republic.
Independent Macedonia. In January 1991 parliament has accepted the Declaration on the sovereignty of Socialist Republic of Macedonia. The visible functionary of the Union of communists of Macedonia Kiro Gligorov (1991–1999) became the president of the country. In March 1991 there have passed the first multi-party elections after which the coalition government led by the leader of communists (later a consignment has been generated has been transformed in SDSM) Branko Tsrvenkovsky. Liberals have entered Into it and the Albanian Consignment of democratic prosperity also conservative VMRO-DPMNE. On September, 8th 1991 on a referendum more than 95 % of participants independence and on September, 17th Macedonia have supported has been declared by an independent state. In February 1992 from it the Yugoslavian armies have been disengaged.
Because of disagreements with neighbours the new state has obtained not at once the international recognition. In the country intensity between the slavic Macedonian majority and the Albanian minority which in January 1992 has expressed on own referendum for an autonomy of the Albanian areas of republic was saved. In December 1993 to Macedonia the peace-keeping force of the United Nations replaced in 1999 quota of forces of NATO (14 thousand military men) have been entered.
On 1994 parliamentary elections which have taken place by autumn has won the block «the Union for Macedonia» (SDSM, Socialist and Liberal consignments). Tsrvenkovsky has generated the government including consignments of the block and the Albanian Consignment of democratic prosperity, however in 1996 liberals left ruling coalition When in the spring 1998 in Kosovo large-scale operations were developed, in Macedonia international relations again have become aggravated. According to official data, only during 1998 1884 acts of terrorism in which were lost apprx. 300 persons have been made. In the summer 1998 United Nations has made decision to increase number of the peacemakers in Macedonia.
Parliamentary elections 1998 have brought in the autumn defeat to social democrats. Leader VMRO-DPMNE Ljubcho georgievski has generated the government including representatives of own consignment, LDP and Democratic party of Albanians. The new government promised reconciliation with Albanians. The Albanian mayors condemned in 1997 for the fact that they have received a pardon have lifted the Albanian flags. In 1999 structure of an office has been changed: new partners VMRO-DPMNE of a steel centrist party «Democratic alternative» and the Albanian Consignment of democratic prosperity. In 1999 president of Macedonia, thanks to support of the Albanian population, candidate VMRO-DPMNE Boris Trajkovsky (1999–2004) has been selected.
Events 1999 in Kosovo became a detonator of a new coil of secession movement of Albanians in Macedonia. With 2000 Macedonia became arena of opposition of the Macedonian majority and the Albanian minority. In March 2001 in the country northwest armed conflicts between the governmental armies and the Albanians supporting proportional sharing in all state structures, for the Albanian autonomy in urban district Tetovo in the Western Macedonia and for association of all Balkan territories occupied by Albanians, to uniform Great Albania have begun. The Albanian separatists have generated Army of national clearing (ANO) and have undertaken approach to Skopje with the participation Liberation armies of Kosovo.
In April 2001 US State department has made the decision on rendering assistance of Macedonia in the sum of 33 million dollars from which dollars apprx. 7 million were directed on support of the Albanian university in Tetovo, and 17 million dollars – on the military help to the Macedonian government. Under the pressure of the USA on May, 14th 2001 in Macedonia georgievski has generated government «political unity» including VMRO-DPMNE, SDSM, Democratic party of Albanians and the Consignment of democratic prosperity. In August of the same year on organised at intermediary of the West negotiations in Ohride leaders of political forces of Macedonia have agreed about conflict settlement. Entering of amendments into the constitution, Macedonians cancelling a recognition by the title nation and granting to the Albanian language the status official in areas of compact residing was provided. The representation of Albanians in the state bodies is expanded. Forces of NATO were entered into Macedonia, and the Albanian insurgents agreed to disarm. The parliament has confirmed agreements and the constitutional amendments on November, 16th 2001.
In the end of 2001 «the big coalition» has broken up, and georgievski has headed a new office including VMRO-DPMNE, Democratic party of Albanians and of some small consignments. In the autumn 2002 on parliamentary elections the oppositional coalition «Together for Macedonia» led by social democrats has won. Among the Albanian consignments of success the most radical consignment – the Democratic union of integration led by the former political leader of Army of national clearing Ali Ahmeti has achieved. Leader SDSM Tsrvenkovsky has generated the new government of Macedonia including social democrats, liberal democrats and Albanian consignment DSI. It has continued market transformations. With 2004 in the country pension reform which switches on development of private pension funds is carried out.
After destruction of the president Trajkovsky in an air crash in the spring 2004, Tsrvenkovsky in April 2004 has been elected on a post of the president of Macedonia. In the second round it has received 60,6 % of voices, having advanced candidate VMRO-DPMNE Sashko Kedev who has typed 39,4 %. The new prime minister in May 2004 became a social democrat of Hari Kostov.
