MacedoniaMacedonia

By: Tamara La Martina

OverviewOverview

Total area is 25,713 km2 (slightly larger Total area is 25,713 km2 (slightly larger than state of Vermont)than state of Vermont)

Bordered by Albania, Serbia/Kosovo, Bordered by Albania, Serbia/Kosovo, Bulgaria, and GreeceBulgaria, and Greece

Completely landlocked since partitioned Completely landlocked since partitioned after the First Balkan War by Bulgaria, after the First Balkan War by Bulgaria, Greece, and Serbia; closest open water port Greece, and Serbia; closest open water port is in Thessalonica (Greece) is in Thessalonica (Greece)

EnvironmentEnvironment Wide range of topographic, climatic, and Wide range of topographic, climatic, and vegetation regions; highest elevation is 2753m, vegetation regions; highest elevation is 2753m, lowest is 50mlowest is 50m

Sub-Mediterranean to alpine conditionsSub-Mediterranean to alpine conditions 4 principle bodies of water: Vardar R, Lake 4 principle bodies of water: Vardar R, Lake

Ohrid, Lake Prespa, and Lake DojranOhrid, Lake Prespa, and Lake Dojran 37% covered by forest37% covered by forest Natural resources: chromium, lead, zinc, Natural resources: chromium, lead, zinc,

manganese, tungsten, low grade iron ore, manganese, tungsten, low grade iron ore, asbestos, sulfur and arable landasbestos, sulfur and arable land

Area of high seismic Area of high seismic activityactivity

Water shortage problemsWater shortage problems esp. in esp. in easteast

Topography of MacedoniaTopography of Macedonia

PopulationPopulation

Population is approx. 2.1 Population is approx. 2.1 million million

West most highly West most highly populated: 39% of pop. populated: 39% of pop. Lives in area, which makes Lives in area, which makes up 43% of total land area; up 43% of total land area; 18.5% of pop. lives in east18.5% of pop. lives in east

Largest cities are: Skopje Largest cities are: Skopje (capital) Bitola, Tetovo, (capital) Bitola, Tetovo, Kumanovo, Veles, Prilep, Kumanovo, Veles, Prilep, Stip, Strumica, OhridStip, Strumica, Ohrid

Ethnicity and ReligionEthnicity and Religion

Titular majority is 67% of total populationTitular majority is 67% of total population

Large ethnic Albanian minority is approx. Large ethnic Albanian minority is approx. 23%23%

Also small Turkish, Roma, and Serbian Also small Turkish, Roma, and Serbian minoritiesminorities

Languages: Macedonian 70%, Albanian 21%, Languages: Macedonian 70%, Albanian 21%, Turkish 3%, Serbo-Croatian 3%, other 3%Turkish 3%, Serbo-Croatian 3%, other 3%

2/3 of pop. are Orthodox, 30% Muslims 2/3 of pop. are Orthodox, 30% Muslims (Albanians and Turks), 0.5% Catholic, and (Albanians and Turks), 0.5% Catholic, and 2.8% other2.8% other

Economy and IndustryEconomy and Industry One of the poorest and One of the poorest and most underdeveloped most underdeveloped countries in Europe; countries in Europe; forced industrialization forced industrialization during communist eraduring communist era

Instability and conflict Instability and conflict caused the economy to caused the economy to shrink after shrink after independenceindependence

Primary exports: food, Primary exports: food, beverages, tobacco, beverages, tobacco, misc. manufactured misc. manufactured items, iron and steelitems, iron and steel

Agriculture and Agriculture and tourism also important tourism also important to economyto economy

History of the Macedonian QuestionHistory of the Macedonian Question Question came to the forefront in the 19Question came to the forefront in the 19 thth century as the Ottoman Empire was century as the Ottoman Empire was

crumbling and nationalism in the Balkans was growingcrumbling and nationalism in the Balkans was growing

One of the greatest diplomatic concerns facing the Great Powers in the 19One of the greatest diplomatic concerns facing the Great Powers in the 19 thth c. c.

The Question was “Who are the Macedonians ethnically?” and “Who has the The Question was “Who are the Macedonians ethnically?” and “Who has the strongest claim to the territory?”strongest claim to the territory?”

BulgarianBulgarians claimed that Macedonians were ethnically Bulgarian and the land should s claimed that Macedonians were ethnically Bulgarian and the land should be theirs since it was the site of the first independent Bulgarian Orthodox Churchbe theirs since it was the site of the first independent Bulgarian Orthodox Church

SerbiansSerbians claimed that Skopje was the capital of Stefan Dusan’s medieval empire and claimed that Skopje was the capital of Stefan Dusan’s medieval empire and therefore the “heartland” of their ethnic territorytherefore the “heartland” of their ethnic territory

GreeksGreeks made the claim that Macedonians were Slavic-speaking Greeks and that made the claim that Macedonians were Slavic-speaking Greeks and that Philip II and Alexander the Great were GreeksPhilip II and Alexander the Great were Greeks

Question became pertinent again after the breakup of YugoslaviaQuestion became pertinent again after the breakup of Yugoslavia

Ancient History of Ancient History of MacedoniaMacedonia

Philip II (359-336 B.C.); Philip II (359-336 B.C.); expanded Macedonian territory expanded Macedonian territory to include Greece; assassinated to include Greece; assassinated in 336 B.C.in 336 B.C.

Alexander III…otherwise Alexander III…otherwise known as “The Great” (336-known as “The Great” (336-323 B.C.); expanded 323 B.C.); expanded Macedonian empire to include Macedonian empire to include territories to the Indus R. in territories to the Indus R. in India, Egypt, and along the India, Egypt, and along the western coast of Black Seawestern coast of Black Sea

Macedonia’s big (and maybe Macedonia’s big (and maybe only) claim to fame!only) claim to fame!

Modern Greeks try to say Modern Greeks try to say Alexander and Macedonians Alexander and Macedonians were Greeks, but ancients were Greeks, but ancients thought they were barbariansthought they were barbarians

Medieval EmpiresMedieval Empires Byzantine, Bulgarian, and Serbian EmpiresByzantine, Bulgarian, and Serbian Empires

Brought Orthodoxy, Cyrillic alphabet, and feudal Brought Orthodoxy, Cyrillic alphabet, and feudal societysociety

Feudalism caused tribal clans to lose independence and Feudalism caused tribal clans to lose independence and turned them into serfs; feudal lords mostly of Greek turned them into serfs; feudal lords mostly of Greek and Armenian descentand Armenian descent

Autonomous Bulgarian Orthodox Church established in Autonomous Bulgarian Orthodox Church established in Ohrid (free from Greek patriarch) and the capital of the Ohrid (free from Greek patriarch) and the capital of the Western Bulgarian Kingdom under Samuil Western Bulgarian Kingdom under Samuil

Ottoman RuleOttoman Rule

Turks began rule in 1394 which continued until Turks began rule in 1394 which continued until 19121912

Change in Demographics and religionChange in Demographics and religion

Incursion of Ottoman army caused many Slavs to Incursion of Ottoman army caused many Slavs to flee; Ottomans settled Turks, Albanians, and Ladino flee; Ottomans settled Turks, Albanians, and Ladino Jews in place of SlavsJews in place of Slavs

Albanians used as landlords and administrators; part Albanians used as landlords and administrators; part of origin of modern hostility between Macedonians of origin of modern hostility between Macedonians and Albaniansand Albanians

Macedonian (Bulgarian) Orthodox Church placed Macedonian (Bulgarian) Orthodox Church placed under Greek patriarch and under Greek patriarch and HellenizationHellenization

1800’s1800’s Some Balkan countries gain autonomy or Some Balkan countries gain autonomy or

independence, but not Macedoniaindependence, but not Macedonia

After Russo-Turkish War (1878), Treaty of San After Russo-Turkish War (1878), Treaty of San Stefano gave most of Macedonia to Bulgaria Stefano gave most of Macedonia to Bulgaria

Great Powers disagreed with this decision and Great Powers disagreed with this decision and Macedonia was given back to Turks by Congress of Macedonia was given back to Turks by Congress of BerlinBerlin

During late 1800’s Bulgaria, Greece, and Serbia try During late 1800’s Bulgaria, Greece, and Serbia try to gain influence in Macedonia through schools, to gain influence in Macedonia through schools, religion, and language. Leads to what is called the religion, and language. Leads to what is called the “Macedonian Question”“Macedonian Question”

Balkan Wars 1912-1913Balkan Wars 1912-1913 First Balkan War First Balkan War

Bulgaria, Greece, Bulgaria, Greece, Montenegro, and Montenegro, and Serbia fight Ottomans Serbia fight Ottomans for Balkan areas for Balkan areas remaining under remaining under Turkish rule and Turkish rule and succeed in their effortsucceed in their effort

Second Balkan WarSecond Balkan War Former allies fight over Former allies fight over the gained territory; the gained territory; Serbia gets Vardar Serbia gets Vardar (Modern) Macedonia, (Modern) Macedonia, Greece gets Aegean Greece gets Aegean Macedonia, and Macedonia, and Bulgaria left with small Bulgaria left with small Pirin area Pirin area

World War IIWorld War II Bulgaria for the third time since First Balkan War gains control almost all of Bulgaria for the third time since First Balkan War gains control almost all of

Macedonia by joining the Germans and kicked out again after their side loses Macedonia by joining the Germans and kicked out again after their side loses again.again.

Josip Tito, attracted many Macedonians with promises of reuniting the three Josip Tito, attracted many Macedonians with promises of reuniting the three areas of Macedonia after the war; never accomplished but Communists areas of Macedonia after the war; never accomplished but Communists continue to fight to regain Aegean and Perin Macedonia until defeated in 1950continue to fight to regain Aegean and Perin Macedonia until defeated in 1950

Yugoslavia Yugoslavia 1944-19901944-1990

Tito failed to unite regions of Macedonia, but …Tito failed to unite regions of Macedonia, but …

Created a Macedonian republic in the Vardar Created a Macedonian republic in the Vardar Macedonia regionMacedonia region

First to recognize Macedonians as a distinct First to recognize Macedonians as a distinct ethnic and political entity; standard language ethnic and political entity; standard language adopted; history of area reinterpreted, and adopted; history of area reinterpreted, and autonomous Macedonian Orthodox Church was autonomous Macedonian Orthodox Church was established in 1958established in 1958

Encouragement of Macedonian Nationalism as a Encouragement of Macedonian Nationalism as a tool against the Bulgarians’ and Greeks’tool against the Bulgarians’ and Greeks’ claims on the territoryclaims on the territory

Poured money into the area for educational and Poured money into the area for educational and economic advancementeconomic advancement

IndependenceIndependence In 1990 Communism collapsed in Yugoslavia Sept. 8, 1991, Yugoslav Macedonia held a referendum in which 95%

voted for independence (Serbian and Albanian minorities boycotted the referendum); seceded in November

New country led by Kiro Gligorov (1991-1999) Power divided between the Macedonian majority party the Internal

Macedonian Revolutionary Organization and the Ethnic Albanian-Democratic Party for Macedonia (VMRO-DPMNE) and Democratic Party of Albanians (DPA)

Greatest challenge to the new state has been the transition and stabilization of its economy, gaining recognition from its neighbors, and ethnic conflicts

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The Modern QuestionThe Modern Question Greece is upset because of the use of the name Macedonia, Greece is upset because of the use of the name Macedonia,

several clauses in its constitution, and because of its flag; thought several clauses in its constitution, and because of its flag; thought the new gov’t had irredentist ambitions on Greek Aegean the new gov’t had irredentist ambitions on Greek Aegean Macedonian provinceMacedonian province

August 1991 Greece closed its border to Macedonia and imposed August 1991 Greece closed its border to Macedonia and imposed an oil embargo, which crippled the Macedonian economyan oil embargo, which crippled the Macedonian economy

Old Flag Current Flag

Recognition by EU and UNRecognition by EU and UN

Macedonia changed several clauses in its Macedonia changed several clauses in its constitution on Dec. 26 to fit EU’s criteria for constitution on Dec. 26 to fit EU’s criteria for recognition; no territorial claims on other recognition; no territorial claims on other countries and renounced meddling in other countries and renounced meddling in other countries affairscountries affairs

On Jan. 15 Germany recognized Slovenia and On Jan. 15 Germany recognized Slovenia and Croatia, but not Macedonia or BosniaCroatia, but not Macedonia or Bosnia

Why? Internal tensions w/ ethnic Albanians high Why? Internal tensions w/ ethnic Albanians high and Greece had blocked recognition of Macedonia and Greece had blocked recognition of Macedonia because Macedonian’s gov’t wouldn’t change because Macedonian’s gov’t wouldn’t change name and flagname and flag

Recognition cont’d.Recognition cont’d.

Dec. 10, 1992 Greek demonstration in Athens Dec. 10, 1992 Greek demonstration in Athens against recognition of Macedonia, +million people against recognition of Macedonia, +million people participatedparticipated

Dec. 11 UN Security Council sent a peacekeeping Dec. 11 UN Security Council sent a peacekeeping force to Macedonia, fearing the spread of Balkan force to Macedonia, fearing the spread of Balkan WarWar

April 8, 1993 Macedonia was admitted to UN April 8, 1993 Macedonia was admitted to UN against the wishes of Greece and Yugoslavia, but against the wishes of Greece and Yugoslavia, but had to use the provisional name had to use the provisional name The Former The Former Yugoslav Republic of MacedoniaYugoslav Republic of Macedonia; EU also ; EU also extended recognition; 300 American and 150 extended recognition; 300 American and 150 Canadian troops protected the bordersCanadian troops protected the borders

Decision on name still pending….Decision on name still pending….

Macedonian ProtestsMacedonian Protests

Propaganda From Both SidesPropaganda From Both Sides Both sides of the “Question” began a propaganda Both sides of the “Question” began a propaganda

campaigncampaign

Greeks have picked up where they left off in the Greeks have picked up where they left off in the 1919thth c. c.

Macedonians Slavs defending their distinct Macedonians Slavs defending their distinct ethnicity and historyethnicity and history

Historians of Ancient Greece have also picked up Historians of Ancient Greece have also picked up the unsolvable question of “who are the the unsolvable question of “who are the Macedonians?” answer still in limbo….Macedonians?” answer still in limbo….

““Hellenized” Macedonian Hellenized” Macedonian HistoryHistory

The Macedonian ViewpointThe Macedonian Viewpoint

Macedonia before and after the partitions of the Macedonia before and after the partitions of the Balkan WarsBalkan Wars

Pirin

Aegean

Vardar

Origins Of The ConflictOrigins Of The Conflict

Hostilities going back to Ottoman Empire, when Hostilities going back to Ottoman Empire, when Albanian Muslims were the overlordsAlbanian Muslims were the overlords

Ethnic Albanian minority calling for a greater Ethnic Albanian minority calling for a greater rightsrights

Some call for secession of Albanian majority areasSome call for secession of Albanian majority areas Possibility of Macedonia’s leaders starting conflict Possibility of Macedonia’s leaders starting conflict

to hide theft of state-owned enterprises and assetsto hide theft of state-owned enterprises and assets

The ConflictThe Conflict

Feb. 2001 armed ethnic Albanians took Feb. 2001 armed ethnic Albanians took Tetovo; said they were members of the Tetovo; said they were members of the National Liberation Army (NLA); said they National Liberation Army (NLA); said they wanted more political and economic rights; wanted more political and economic rights; gov’t said they were trying to divide the gov’t said they were trying to divide the country along ethnic linescountry along ethnic lines

Struggle between NLA and gov’t lasted for Struggle between NLA and gov’t lasted for seven months; 200 killed, 180 000 displacedseven months; 200 killed, 180 000 displaced

US and Europe sent diplomats who helped US and Europe sent diplomats who helped forge a peace agreement at Ohrid on August forge a peace agreement at Ohrid on August 1313

National Liberation ArmyNational Liberation Army

Many of core members Many of core members were part of the were part of the disbanded Kosovo disbanded Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) Liberation Army (KLA)

Searching for “Greater Searching for “Greater Albania (Kosovo)”; led Albania (Kosovo)”; led by Ali Ahmetiby Ali Ahmeti

Also sought to get rid of Also sought to get rid of the corrupt DPAthe corrupt DPA

NLA/ANA PropagandaNLA/ANA Propaganda

Population stats according to Population stats according to ANA:ANA:

-8 mill. Albanians and -8 mill. Albanians and 800,000 Macedonian Slavs 800,000 Macedonian Slavs

-actual world-wide # of -actual world-wide # of Albanians= 5 mill.Albanians= 5 mill.

ROM census and CIA:ROM census and CIA:

-2 mill. Citizens-2 mill. Citizens

:66.6% (1,378,687) :66.6% (1,378,687) MacedoniansMacedonians

:22.7% (478,967) Albanians:22.7% (478,967) Albanians

A Tentative PeaceA Tentative Peace

Sept. 24, 2001 Framework Agreement ratified in Ohrid; removed Sept. 24, 2001 Framework Agreement ratified in Ohrid; removed distinction of Macedonians as country’s constituent nation from distinction of Macedonians as country’s constituent nation from constitution’s preambleconstitution’s preamble

Ohrid Agreement, adopted by ROM’s legislature Nov.16, 2001; provided Ohrid Agreement, adopted by ROM’s legislature Nov.16, 2001; provided for equal representation of minorities in administration, language rights, for equal representation of minorities in administration, language rights, strengthening of local gov’t, reintegration of territory captured by NLA, strengthening of local gov’t, reintegration of territory captured by NLA, return of refugees, and an internationally supervised censusreturn of refugees, and an internationally supervised census

Slow in being implemented by there are some signs of hopeSlow in being implemented by there are some signs of hope

20032003 European Union is taking European Union is taking

over for NATO over for NATO Peacekeeping forces by the Peacekeeping forces by the end of Aprilend of April

320 troops, if successful in 320 troops, if successful in Macedonia, will take over in Macedonia, will take over in Bosnia next yearBosnia next year

Small protest in Skopje