The Origin of the Idea of a Bulgarian-Yugoslav Federation and Its Decline (1945-1948)

The article begins with a synthetic assessment of the origin of the idea of a Bulgarian-Yugoslav federation, to be realised after the end of World War II. The author placed emphasis on the Macedonian question in view of the fact that one of the most prominent objectives of establishing a joint south Slavonic state was to resolve the persistent controversy between the Bulgars and the Yugoslavs. The article also discusses the supreme role of the Soviet Union in preparations for a south Slavonic union, drawing attention to the unequal political position of Yugoslavia and Bulgaria, particularly conspicuous in negotiations held by the representatives of those states, who in 1944-1947 talked about setting up the titular federation and a mutual alliance. On the one hand, the article underlines external and domestic factors conducive (already during the war) for the establishment of a Yugoslav federation under the aegis of the local communist party, as well as the international acclaim of Josip Broz Tito and his prestige at home. On the other hand, the author stressed the difficult situation of Bulgaria on the international arena, caused by the fact that during the war Bulgaria was an ally of the Third Reich, with which the anti-Nazi coalition had not yet signed a peace treaty. The article ends by arguing that despite the differences between the two south Slavonic states directly interested in unification, the primary cause of the failure of the conception of the Bulgarian-Yugoslav federation was the collision of the political interests pursued by Belgrade and Moscow.