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The Ilinden uprising (so called because it started on Ilinden
- St. Ilija's Day) was a turning-point in the national and revolutionary
struggle of the Macedonian people. In range and character it was a true
national revolution with deep political and social implications.
It began on 2 August 1903, and soon spread over the whole
of Macedonia, albeit not everywhere with the same intensity. The fiercest
fighting went on first in the area around Bitola, then in Ohrid, Kicevo,
Lerin, Prilep, and other regions, with less pronounced fighting in the
Solun, Seres, Skopje and Odrin districts. The towns of Krusevo, Nevska
and Klisura were captured.
Other nationalities living in Macedonia also took part
in the Ilinden Uprising, which increased its popular and democratic character.
On 3 August 1903, the rebels took the town of Krusevo
and established a revolutionary government. They proclaimed the Krusevo
Republic, which was the first ever in the Balkans. The Republic lasted
10 days, from August 3 - 13, and had as its President Nikola Karev, a well-known
Macedonian revolutionary and socialist.
From among the various nationalities who lived in this
part of Macedonia (Macedonian's, Vlach's and some Albanian's), a Republican
Council was elected with 60 members - 20 representatives of each nationality.
The Council chose an executive body, called the Provisional Government,
with six members (2 from each nationality), whose duty it was to ensure
law and order and see to such things as supplies, finances, and medical
care. The "Krusevo Manifesto" was published. Written by Nikola Karev
himself, it outlined the aims of the Uprising, calling upon the population
to join forces with the government in the struggle against tyranny and
enslavement to attain freedom and independence.
A surprised Turkish government took extensive military
measures to quell the uprising: 176,000 soldiers, 3,700 mounted troops
and 444 cannon's were sent to Macedonia. After fierce and heroic battles
near Sliva and Meckin Kamen, the Turkish forces managed to destroy the
Krusevo Republic and showed their customary cruelty in dealing with the
rebels in Krusevo and other places. As a result, 201 communities were wiped
out, 12,400 houses burned to the ground, more than 70,000 people were left
homeless, and 8,816 were killed. Although some 30,000 people fled their
homes to avoid reprisal's, the toll was indeed heavy.
ECHOES OF THE ILINDEN UPRISING
The Uprising aroused great interest in Europe. Newspapers
followed the course of events with close attention and great sympathy.
They printed details of the cruel mass reprisals carried out by the Turks
on the inhabitants in rebel strongholds. A powerful wave of protest followed;
among the leading spokeman were Lav Tolstoy, Maxim Gorki, Anatole France,
Jean Jaures, Victor Berard, Arthur Evans, Henry Brailsford, Georges Clemenceau
and others.
In Britain, France, Italy and America, " Macedonian Committees
" were set up, and organised mass meetings of support for the Macedonian
rebels. Similar action was taken in Russia, Romania, and some other countries
around the world.
Following the failure of this uprising, the Macedonian
revolutionaries made an effort to close the ranks. At the Rila Congress
(held in 1905 in Rila Monastery in Pirin Macedonia), despite differences
of interest between the two sides, there was general condemnation of outside
interference particularly by the Bulgarian Court, and the ultimate goal
- the liberation of Macedonia - was confirmed.
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