Development of the name "Macedonian Slavs" Demographic history of Macedonia

ethnographic map of balkans, 1922.

the name macedonian slavs started appear in publications @ end of 1880s , beginning of 1890s. though successes of serbian propaganda effort had proved slavic population of macedonia not bulgarian, still failed convince population was, in fact, serbian. used until end of 19th century compared ‘bulgarians’, term ‘macedonian slavs’ served more conceal rather define national character of population of macedonia. scholars resorted result of serbian pressure or used general term slavs inhabiting macedonia regardless of ethnic affinities. serbian politician stojan novaković proposed in 1887 employing macedonistic ideas means counteract bulgarian influence in macedonia, thereby promoting serbian interests in region.

however, beginning of 20th century, continued serbian propaganda effort , work of cvijic had managed firmly entrench concept of macedonian slavs in european public opinion, , name used ‘bulgarians’. pro-bulgarian researchers such h. henry brailsford , n. forbes argued macedonian slavs differed both bulgarians , serbs. practically scholars before 1915, however, including pro-serbian ones such robert william seton-watson, admitted affinities of majority of them lay bulgarian cause , bulgarians , classified them such. in 1914 carnegie commission report states serbs , greeks classified slavs of macedonia distinct group slav-macedonians political purposes , term political euphemism designed conceal existence of bulgarians in macedonia .

bulgaria s entry world war on side of central powers signified dramatic shift in way european public opinion viewed slavic population of macedonia. central powers slavs of macedonia became nothing bulgarians, whereas allies turned other bulgarians. ultimate victory of allies in 1918 led victory of vision of slavic population of macedonia macedonian slavs, amorphous slavic mass without developed national consciousness.

during 1920s comintern developed new policy balkans, collaboration between communists , macedonian movement, , creation of united macedonian movement. idea new unified organization supported soviet union, saw chance of using developed revolutionary movement spread revolution in balkans , destabilize balkan monarchies. in so-called may manifesto of 6 may 1924, first time objectives of unified slav macedonian liberation movement presented: independence , unification of partitioned macedonia, fighting neighbouring balkan monarchies, forming balkan communist federation , cooperation soviet union.

later comintern published resolution recognition of macedonian ethnicity. text of document prepared in period december 20, 1933 – january 7, 1934, balkan secretariat of comintern. accepted political secretariat in moscow on january 11, 1934, , approved executive committee of comintern. resolution published first time in april issue of makedonsko delo under title ‘the situation in macedonia , tasks of imro (united)’.