When Bad Things Happened in the 19th Century to Good Macedonian People

by Risto Stefov

November 17, 2003

Risto Stefov delivered an interesting overview of our history, touching on early history, but concentrating on what happened during the 19th Century that affected what is happening in and to Macedonia today. He divided his talk into the following categories.

Early History
The Byzantine Empire
Byzantine Religion and Language
The Rise of the Ottoman Empire
Ottoman Religion and Rule

The People of the 19th Century
The Macedonians
The Turks, Vlachs, Roma, Jews, Pomaks, Tosks, Ghegs
The Phanariots, Bashi-bazouks, Ianitsari

The 19th Century Economy
The European Economic Revolution
The Balkans - a market for the Great Powers
The Decline of the Balkan Economy

The Great Powers and their Goals in the Balkans
Russia
Britain
France
Austria-Hungary
Italy
Germany
The Ottoman

Historical Milestones
1774 - Russia defeats Turkey, gain access to Black Sea, becomes protector of Christians
1798 - Napoleon Invades Egypt, Turkey sends army from Balkans to fight back
1804 - Ianitsari take control, Serbians Rebel
1815 - Napoleon Defeated,
1821 - Greece plans three prong rebellion, fails miserably
1830 - Russia Loses patience with Turkey, Greece Becomes a nation for the first time
1853 - Great Power, power struggle and the Crimean War
1875 - Turkey wins war, becomes bankrupt and causes the Eastern Crisis
1878 - Russian venturous haste creates Greater Bulgaria and the San Stefano Treaty
1878 - Great Power Greed and the Congress of Berlin

Summary
Effects of Ottoman Rule on the good Macedonian People
Effects of European Imperialism on the Macedonian Economy
Effects of Great Power meddling in Balkan Politics
Effects of the Berlin Congress on the good Macedonian people
What does the future hold for Macedonia beyond 1878?