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Today the Macedonian nation is distinct, although until recently that wasn't the case. I would like us here to discuss the processes which led to the separation of the Macedonian people from the larger Balkan ethnic groups. And let's be realistic and discuss the facts the way they are, not influenced from the propaganda we have been raised with.
When it comes to origins at least there is no point for discussing. As a whole modern Macedonians and modern Bulgarians share the same ancestors and it is physically visible if you compare people. But that doesn't mean that they used to be the same nation, or did they? The big question is how these people felt in the beginning of the 20th century when the modern Balkan nations were formed. In my opinion the options are exactly three (briefly explained):
1. Macedonians of the beginning of the 20th century had been Bulgarians with strong regional identity (same as Thracian Bulgarians). But after the several unsuccessful wars Bulgaria went through, the people fro Macedonia were dissapointed and an idea for a distinct Macedonian country was created. Later on, the Yugoslav Communists supported this idea and helped to become reality. This is more or less the Bulgarian version.
2. Slavs of Macedonia were people without ethnic identity, the same as Torlaks, with the exception that a strong regional identity was present among Macedonians. Because of the close language that they share with Bulgarians, they allied with them and fought for the same idea. Although many turned their regional identity to ethnic one, opposed to the ones who identified as Bulgarian. Those who had turned their regional identity to ethnic one found support among communists and became such themselves. Then again after 1945 the Yugoslavs nurtured this idea.
3. Macedonians had been mixed people (Vlachs, Greeks, Bulgarians, Albanians) and had no identity at all. Throughout the years, they had accepted identities that suited them for the certain moment. At the end of they day (with the help of Yugoslavia), the idea of being Macedonians suited them the best and as a result we have Macedonians today.
Whatever option is close to the truth, it is a fact that the Yugoslav Communist played a huge role for the formation of the modern Macedonian nation.
Discuss.
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