The Macedonian question in Greek foreign policy in the 19th – early 20th century

The article examines the process of formation of the foreign policy doctrine of Greece in Southeastern Europe in the 19th century after the creation of the independent Greek state. The author identifies the causes, forms and methods of the struggle of the newly formed Balkan states (Greece, Bulgaria and Serbia) for the predominance of the weakening Ottoman Empire in the European provinces, in particular, in Macedonia. The author concludes that, having gained independence, the young Greek state sought to occupy its geopolitical niche and establish itself as an influential regional power in the Balkans. As a result, the Greek national elite is trying to find the optimal foreign policy strategy for the Greek Kingdom. The most daring project to recreate the Byzantine Empire by the Greek people turned out to be an illusion, a mirage, and it was initially doomed to failure. Since solving such an ambitious geopolitical task required significant military, human and economic resources, as well as serious diplomatic support from the great powers, which the small Greek kingdom did not fully possess. The main foreign policy task of Greece in the second half of the 19th – early 20th century was the gradual reunification of the Greek people, divided for historical reasons, within the framework of a single national state. The implementation of this task encountered a counter movement of other Balkan peoples (Bulgarians, Serbs, Turks), who also sought to expand or preserve the state territory.