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

1. The Byzantine Empire
2. Byzantine Religion and Language
3. The Rise of the Ottoman Empire
4. Ottoman Religion and Rule

The People of the 19th Century

1. The Macedonians
2. The Turks, Vlachs, Roma, Jews, Pomaks, Tosks, Ghegs
3. The Phanariots, Bashi-bazouks, Ianitsari

The 19th Century Economy

1. The European Economic Revolution
2. The Balkans - a market for the Great Powers
3. The Decline of the Balkan Economy

The Great Powers and their Goals in the Balkans

1. Russia
2. Britain
3. France
4. Austria-Hungary
5. Italy
6. Germany
7. The Ottoman

Historical Milestones

1. 1774 - Russia defeats Turkey, gain access to Black Sea, becomes protector of Christians
2. 1798 - Napoleon Invades Egypt, Turkey sends army from Balkans to fight back
3. 1804 - Ianitsari take control, Serbians Rebel
4. 1815 - Napoleon Defeated,
5. 1821 - Greece plans three prong rebellion, fails miserably
6. 1830 - Russia Loses patience with Turkey, Greece Becomes a nation for the first time
7. 1853 - Great Power, power struggle and the Crimean War
8. 1875 - Turkey wins war, becomes bankrupt and causes the Eastern Crisis
9. 1878 - Russian venturous haste creates Greater Bulgaria and the San Stefano Treaty
10. 1878 - Great Power Greed and the Congress of Berlin

Summary

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