Nationalism and Identity in the Balkans
The rise in nationalism caused by the French Revolution showed itself in the Balkan geography in the 19th century. Which nationalism appeared the first during this period in the Balkans?
The Greek nationalism
What was the result of the absence of the local aristocracy in the Balkans in the 18th century?
The absence of the local aristocracy would be instrumental in the national awakening of the 18th century and lead to the church leading the Balkan nationalism. In the 19th century, minor priests and middle class peasants were the key elements of nationalist uprisings. This is why Balkan nationalism proceeded with a “romantic populist-socialist” approach (Ortaylı, 1985b: 1028).
What was the result of the dissolution of the janissaries who were the guarantors of public order in the Balkan region?
The resulting power vacuum paved the way for the small but influential Greek community to secure critical positions in the Ottoman Empire. This small group consists of Phanariots, usually of Albanian origin, from Greek or Hellenized Romanian families. Phanariots are the most critical actors in the subsequent development of Greek culture.
Who is the first spiritual leader of Greek nationalism?
Rigas Feraios is considered to be the first spiritual leader of Greek nationalism.
Why was Rigas' declaration unsuccessful?
The declaration, which contains elements of highly egalitarian radicalism, frightened both Western Europe, who wanted to protect themselves against the republican ideas of the French Revolution, and the Ottoman Empire. Even the Republican Greeks and the Patriarchate and Phanariots who were more status-quoist than the Ottoman administration were against it.
Which region became the first Greek region outside the Ottoman Empire?
With the Treaty of Campo Formio signed in 1797, the rule over the Ionian Islands was transferred into the hands of France. Thus, the Ionian Islands became the first Greek region outside the Ottoman Empire.
Why did the Greek intellectuals of the 18th century tried to exclude Byzantines in their historical literature?
In the second half of the 18th century, the Ethnic Hellenic world was revived with the translation of old texts. With the texts emphasizing the superiority of “ancestors”, Greek intellectuals started giving their children Ancient Greek names such as Aristotle and Socrates. While Byzantine was excluded in the historical literature, “conservative, reactionary and religiously dominated Byzantium and its extensions of Ottomans” were held responsible for everything that was wrong with society (Millas, 2014: 164-166).
When did the Greeks' new state accepted by the international community and the Ottomans?
With the Treaty of Adrianople signed in 1829, the Ottoman Empire had to recognize the independence of Greece. When Britain, France and Russia recognized the borders and status of Greece with the Treaty of Constantinople signed in 1832, the Greeks became the first nation in the Balkans to gain independence from the Ottoman administration.
Who was the first king of the Kingdom of Greece?
It was decided that the Greek king would come from a family that had no direct connection with Britain, France or Russia, and the Bavarian king Ludwig I, who was just seventeen years old, would become the first king of Greece.
Which political party did Greeks support after 1908 revolution?
Greeks supported the decentralized Freedom and Accord Party against the central Committee of Union and Progress.
How does Mazower explain the complete social segregation created by the results of the Balkan Wars?
The Balkan Wars brought complete social segregation. When asked, “Are you Greek or Bulgarian?” at the beginning of the 20th century, the peasants living in the Balkans responded with “We are Christians, what do you mean by Greek or Bulgarian?” (cited by Mazower, 2002: 50).
What are the multiple identities in Modern Greek nationalism and what it is its "other" in identity construction?
After firstly identifying themselves with their country, a Greek person then emphasizes their local identity such as Cretan, Macedonian etc. After that, they are European, and then Balkan, Southern European or Mediterranean. They do not avoid or belittle the Balkans, but there is a clear disdain for the “east.” Here, “east” means Turkey, the “others” in the building of the nation.
Who is Saint Paisius of Hilendar?
Hilendar is considered as the forefather of the “Bulgarian National Revival” and nationalism.
Albanian intellectuals embraced being Ottomans as much as being Albanians. The great services of Albanian-born Sami Frashëri for Turkish language and literature are among the best examples of this situation. Then, why did Albanians sought for independence from the Ottomans?
When the Albanians realized that they were surrounded by the Greek and Slavic Sea in the Treaty of San Stefano and Congress of Berlin, they started the independence movement by establishing the “League of Prizren.”
Which region was called "Memleketeyn" during Ottoman control in the Balkans and what was this region's difference compared to other places in the peninsula?
The United Principalities of Moldavia and Wallachia, known as “Memleketeyn” in the Ottoman Empire, constitutes the history of Romania. Unlike their practices in the rest of the Balkans, the Ottoman Empire tolerated the continuation of the feudal system in these lands.
Why did not Romanians support the Orthodox uprising in 1821 led by Alexander Ypsilantis?
Since the rulers of Moldavia and Wallachia were appointed from among the Phanariot families, the Romanians fought not against the Ottomans, but against the Phanariots in their path to independence. It is precisely for this reason that the Romanians did not support the Orthodox uprising in 1821 led by Alexander Ypsilantis.
Who invented Yogoslavism and what was its function?
The word “Yugoslavism” was introduced for the first time by Priest Josip Strossmayer at the Yugoslav Academy of Sciences and Arts founded in 1867. The goal with the word “Yugoslav” was to create a national identity for all Slavs (Kenar, 2005: 26-29).
Which Balkan Orthodox nation was not under the impact of the Greek Church?
Among the Orthodox Balkans who lived under the Ottoman rule, only Serbs could escape from the Greek spiritual tutelage.
What is the connection between Serbian nationalism and the ignition of World War I?
On June 28, 1914, Serbian nationalism led to the outbreak of an all-out war that is unprecedented in world history. Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife, the Duchess of Hohenberg, were killed by a bullet from the pistol of a young Serbian nationalist, Gavrilo Princip. The bullet that started the First World War subsequently caused more than eight million deaths.
What is the origin of Bosnian identity?
Communities living in the lands of Bosnia and Herzegovina being referred to as “Bosnians” dates back to the Middle Ages. The term Bosnian refers to all communities living in the lands of Bosnia and Herzegovina; Serbs, Croats, Muslim Bosnians and other communities. Bosnians were referred to as “Muslims” or “Muslim Slavs” for the first time in 14th and 16th centuries. On the other hand, according to the sources aiming to keep communities of different races and origins together under the Yugoslav identity, Bosnians were sometimes described as “Croatians” and sometimes as “Serbians” (Alparslan, 2008: 36-37).
How are the people of Macedonia of Former Yugoslavia seen by Greeks, Serbs and Bulgarians?
The Greeks, seeing Southern Macedonia as their own land, defined Macedonians as Slavized Greeks, while Serbs claimed that North Macedonia was a part of the Serbian state and Bulgarians claimed that Macedonians were actually Bulgarians and the ones who spoke Greek were Hellenized Bulgarians.