THE CONFLICT BETWEEN THE MACEDONIAN AND RUSSIAN FACTORS REGARDING THE ISSUE OF ESTABLISHMENT OF MACEDONIAN STATE IN THE PERIOD BETWEEN THE CONGRESS OF BERLIN AND THE BALKAN WARS

Abstract

In the period between the Congress of Berlin and the Balkan
Wars, the positions of the Macedonian and Russian factors concerning
the establishment of the Macedonian state were diametrically
opposed.
After the Eastern Crisis, the Macedonian factor did their
utmost efforts and sacrifices to establish Macedonian state. The
beginning of this struggle coincides with the Razlog and Kresna
Uprisings.
State formation has been the main goal of the Macedonian
liberation process ever since. This view continued to be true of the
Eastern crisis, the Ilinden Uprising and the People’s Liberation War
and even of today’s generation after the collapse of the former SFRY.
Contrary to the aspirations of the Macedonian factor, the
Russian factor planned and insisted that Macedonia and its people be
included into national liberation movements and dominances of
another nation (or nations).
These efforts by the Russian factor
emerged toward the end of the 18th century and lasted until the united
Macedonian body was torn apart and Macedonia was divided among
Serbia, Bulgaria and Greece in 1913.
Even though the policy of tsarist Russia in the crucial 1912-
1913 was a result of the broader established policy of the great
European powers, its position toward the Macedonian issue in the
period between the Eastern Crisis to the Balkan Wars left a deep mark
and predetermined the fate of Macedonia and the Macedonian people.