ILIJA GARAŠANIN’S “NAČERTANIJE” AND THE INTENTIONAL OMISSION OF MACEDONIA

Abstract

“Načertanije” is considered the first political and national program of the Serbian state, written in 1844 by Ilija Garašanin, a Serbian politician and diplomat. This document, in addition to its political and diplomatic role, is important as a source for understanding national ideas, but also as an indicator of the beginnings of nationalist claims in the Balkans, in the 19th century. In Garašanin's perception of the reconstruction of the medieval Serbian state, Macedonia is seen as a historical part of such a project, and therefore the Macedonian territory is neglected. There is also an overlap between the terms Northern Albania, Old Serbia and Macedonia. However, it should be noted that nowhere in Garašanin's text is the existence of the new Balkan state, the Kingdom of Greece, mentioned. According to “Načertanije”, the path of the future access of the Serbian state to the sea goes through Northern Albania, and not to the south, to the Aegean Sea. Questions arise: is Garašanin sufficiently aware of the impossibility of Serbia expanding to the south and the danger of conflict with the Greek state, which has strong western protection? If Dušan's Empire extended south, all the way to the shores of the Aegean Sea, then why does “Načartanije” not project that area into the future Serbian state and at the same time as a potential outlet to the sea? Garašanin is aware that he should not direct the territorial appetite of an insufficiently strong Serbian state towards the territory that he believes is in the sphere of interest of other more powerful European powers. At that time, in the middle of the 19th century, Serbia found itself in a subordinate position, pressured by the political and military forces, Russia and the Habsburg Monarchy.