From Cisr-i Mustafa Paşa to Svilengrad

The Ethnic Homogenization of a Thracian Town in the Balkan Wars

Bibliographic Data

ID8968670
AuthorsEyal Ginio (0000-0001-6454-4881, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, corresponding author)
Year2023
Volume55
Issue2
Pages275-298
Publication date2023-05-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal Middle East Studies (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0020-7438 • E-ISSN: 1471-6380
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s0020743823000788
OpenAlexW4384524294
LanguageEN
References cited13

The transformation of Ottoman Cisr-i Mustafa Paşa to Bulgarian Svilengrad was the outcome of a combination of both local violence and state-policy that took place throughout the Balkan Wars (1912-13) and within the framework of state-building efforts in both Ottoman imperial and Bulgarian post-imperial contexts. This sequence of mass violence stands at the core of this article. Based on Ottoman, Jewish, international, and translated Bulgarian sources, this article discusses the everyday dynamics and events that took place in the town by placing them in the contexts of the macro-historical transformations generated by the Balkan Wars. It likewise turns to micro-historical analysis to study the violence perpetrated by locals. While it is evident that much of the violence was state-sponsored or, at least, tacitly accepted by the state, and reflected top-down planning, non-state players also took part in the retribution against those they deemed alien to the national cause

Alien · Ancient history · Bulgarian · Ethnic group · Ottoman empire · Political science · Sociology · State (computer science · Balkans: History, Politics, Society · History · Jewish and Middle Eastern Studies · Law · Philippine History and Culture

Tools

Open DOIOpen Access