North Macedonia

Ottoman Macedonia

North Macedonia was part of the Ottoman Empire for over five hundred years, from the late 14th century to the Treaty of Bucharest (1913). Before its conquest, this area was divided between various Serbian feudal principalities. Later, it became part of the Ottoman province.

Ottoman Macedonia was a diverse and culturally rich area encompassing parts of present-day Greece, North Macedonia, and Bulgaria. During Ottoman rule, Macedonia experienced a blend of cultural influences, where religious and diverse ethnic communities coexisted. However, it also faced periods of tension and conflicts which are often rooted in ethnic and religious differences. The legacy of Ottoman Macedonia persists in the region's cultural heritage, architecture, and society while showcasing the historical past that continues to influence the identities and dynamics of the modern-day.

Kingdom of Serbia

Following the two Balkan Wars of 1912 and 1913 and the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire, most of its European-held territories were divided between Greece, Bulgaria, and Serbia. Almost the territory that was to become North Macedonia was annexed by Serbia conforming to the treaty of peace concluded at Bucharest. However, the Strumica region was passed to Bulgaria. Following the partition, an anti-Bulgarian campaign was carried out in the areas under Serbian and Greek control.

IMRO, together with local Albanians, organized the Ohrid–Debar uprising against Serbian rule. Within a few days, the rebels captured the towns of Gostivar, Struga, and Ohrid, expelling the Serbian troops. Many were killed and tens of thousands of refugees fled to Bulgaria and Albania.

WWI Period

During the First World War, most of today's North Macedonia was part of the Bulgarian-occupied zone of Serbia after the country was invaded by the Central Powers in the fall of 1915. The region was known as the "Military Inspection Area of Macedonia" and was administered by a Bulgarian military commander. A policy of Bulgarisation of the region and its population was immediately initiated, during the period the IMRO arose from a clandestine organization to serve as gendarmerie, taking control of the whole police structure, and enforcing the Bulgarisation of the region. According to Robert Gerwarth, the Bulgarian denationalization policy, including its paramilitary aspect, was almost identical in its intent and execution to the Serbian policy that preceded it.

Socialist Republic of Macedonia

After the capitulation of Bulgaria and the end of the First World War, the area returned under Belgrade control as part of the newly formed Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes as it saw the reintroduction of anti-Bulgarian measures. Bulgarian teachers and clergy were expelled, Bulgarian language signs and books were removed, and all Bulgarian organizations dissolved.

The Serbian government pursued a policy of forced Serbianization in the region, which included systematic suppression of Bulgarian activists, altering family surnames, internal colonization, exploiting workers, and intense propaganda.

In 1929, the Kingdom was officially renamed as the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, and divided into provinces called banovinas. South Serbia, including all of present-day North Macedonia, became the Vardar Banovina.

Under Yugoslav rule, Macedonia experienced a transformative period marked by socio-political changes and efforts towards national development. As a part of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Macedonia gained autonomy and cultural recognition while fostering the growth of its distinct identity. The Yugoslav government invested in various sectors, including infrastructure, education, and industry, facilitating economic growth and modernization. This period witnessed the establishment and expansion of educational institutions, advancements in healthcare, and the promotion of Macedonian culture and language.

However, strains between the Macedonian desire for increased autonomy and the centralized nature of the Yugoslav government occasionally surfaced. Political tensions existed, reflecting differing visions for the nation's future. Despite these challenges, the era under Yugoslav rule offered a platform for socio-economic progress and cultural advancement in Macedonia.

WWII Period

During World War II, Yugoslavia was occupied by the Axis powers from 1941 to 1945. The Vardar Banovina was divided between Bulgaria and Italian-occupied Albania. Bulgarian Action Committees were established to prepare the region for the new Bulgarian administration and army. The committees were mostly formed by former members of IMRO and Macedonian Youth Secret Revolutionary Organization, but some IMRO former members also participated.

The Yugoslav Partisans which were led by Josip Broz Tito, established a resistance movement in the area, striving for a unified and federal Yugoslavia and the National Liberation War ensued. Their efforts garnered support among diverse ethnic groups, fostering solidarity against the Axis occupation.

The wartime experiences deeply influenced Macedonia's national consciousness and aspirations for independence. After the war, Macedonia became one of the six republics forming the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, marking a pivotal point in its modern history, and shaping its path towards autonomy and nation-building.

Republic of North Macedonia

Macedonia remained at peace through the Yugoslav Wars of the early 1990s. A few very minor changes to its border with Yugoslavia were agreed upon to resolve problems with the demarcation line between the two countries. Following the dissolution of Yugoslavia, Macedonia declared its independence in 1991, marking a crucial turning point in its history.

Despite initial challenges and disputes, the country was recognized internationally as the Republic of North Macedonia in 2019, resolving a long-standing name dispute with Greece. Achieving sovereignty allowed North Macedonia to pursue its path, fostering democratic institutions, enhancing regional cooperation, and seeking integration into European and international frameworks. Independence granted North Macedonia the opportunity to assert its identity, pursue economic development, and solidify its place as a sovereign nation in the global community.

2001 Insurgency

A conflict took place between the government and ethnic Albanian insurgents between February and August 2 The war ended with the intervention of a NATO ceasefire monitoring force. Under the terms of the Ohrid Agreement, the government agreed to devolve greater political power and cultural recognition to the Albanian minority. The Albanian side agreed to abandon separatist demands and to recognize all Macedonian institutions fully. In addition, according to this accord, the NLA were to disarm and hand over their weapons to a NATO force. However, the Macedonian security forces had two more armed confrontations with Albanian militant groups, in 2007 and 2015 respectively.