An Aromanian state

[Cuāuhtemōc]

It's rather curious that out of all the major groups in the Balkans, the Aromanian Vlachs never seemed to have had the chance to carve out an independent state. I'm being rather vague since I myself don't have too much knowledge on the region during the late Ottoman era but how would it be possible for an Aromanian state to emerge?

 

[Basilisk]

Just a thought--if Romanians were more heavily muslim, and at some point ended up in the hands of the Russians, it's possible more Romanians could have fled back to Ottoman territory south of the Danube, mingling with Aromanians. Then, by the time nations are carved out of the Empire, an area with a sizeable Romanian/Aromanian population could get independence (propped up by, say, Italy), or at least an autonomous area in Northern Greece or Serbia or somewhere in there. Then, sometime during the 20th century, it finally manages to break free and gain independence a la Kosovo. Maybe?

 

[Cuāuhtemōc]

Just a thought--if Romanians were more heavily muslim, and at some point ended up in the hands of the Russians, it's possible more Romanians could have fled back to Ottoman territory south of the Danube, mingling with Aromanians. Then, by the time nations are carved out of the Empire, an area with a sizeable Romanian/Aromanian population could get independence (propped up by, say, Italy), or at least an autonomous area in Northern Greece or Serbia or somewhere in there. Then, sometime during the 20th century, it finally manages to break free and gain independence a la Kosovo. Maybe?

The Romanians did in OTL send in teachers and people to build schools in Aromanian-majority lands in the Ottoman Empire to promote the use of their language. One POD I did think of is avoiding Moscopole being sacked by the forces of Ali Pasha; prior to its sacking, it was an important commerical and cultural center for the Aromanian people who made up a majority in northern Greece and southern Albania (they still do to a certain extent to this day).

 

[Paraipan]

There was a short lived state of Aromanians during WW2, the Principality of the Pindus.

 

[Cuāuhtemōc]

There was a short lived state of Aromanians during WW2, the Principality of the Pindus.

Yes. I know that. I was talking more about an Aromanian state that isn't a puppet state of the Italians and Germans. You know, like Greece or Serbia? To my understanding, the Ottomans did encourage the promotion of an Aromanian identity to counteract Greek expansionism into those areas. Maybe the Aromanians split like the Albanians?

 

[Paraipan]

Yes. I know that. I was talking more about an Aromanian state that isn't a puppet state of the Italians and Germans. You know, like Greece or Serbia? To my understanding, the Ottomans did encourage the promotion of an Aromanian identity to counteract Greek expansionism into those areas. Maybe the Aromanians split like the Albanians?

Oh, OK, sorry about that ... well then the best shot would be somewhere around 1820-1880. An Aromanian uprising during the Greek War of Independence. Or Tudor Vladimirescu's revolution isn't crushed, Ypsilanti doesn't betray him, the two cross the Danube and fight in Greece and as a compensation Tudor asks for an independent Aromanian state. That may bring him in conflict with the Filiki Eteria though.

 

[Cuāuhtemōc]

Interesting. Anyone else has any other ideas?

 

[Wendell]

How about the Lordship/Duchy of Neopatria becoming home to Aromanians, and they later form a majority there and establish their own kingdom in the area?

 

[Cuāuhtemōc]

How about the Lordship/Duchy of Neopatria becoming home to Aromanians, and they later form a majority there and establish their own kingdom in the area?

Well I was looking for something more around the late 1800s though I like your idea. There was an Aromanian state during the 1200s, known as Great Wallachia.

 

[Wendell]

Well I was looking for something more around the late 1800s though I like your idea. There was an Aromanian state during the 1200s, known as Great Wallachia.

Doing something like this in the nineteenth is rather more challenging.

 

[Cuāuhtemōc]

Doing something like this in the nineteenth is rather more challenging.

Ah but the challenge makes it far more exciting, Wendell! Thank you for contributing. I think I know a little more than I did when I first started this thread.

 

[Wendell]

Ah but the challenge makes it far more exciting, Wendell! Thank you for contributing. I think I know a little more than I did when I first started this thread.

The challenge is indeed an exciting one, but if my recollection is correct, the Aromanians are too scattered to really be the basis for a state so late in history.

 

[Cuāuhtemōc]

The challenge is indeed an exciting one, but if my recollection is correct, the Aromanians are too scattered to really be the basis for a state so late in history.

There was the Principality of Pindus though it was a client state maintained by the Italians. Pasha did mention to me somewhere else that they would probably need to depend on a much more militarily powerful country to fall upon in case it gets invaded, etc. I suggested that the Ottomans would desire an autonomous Aromanian state at least to provide as a counter to Hellenization. He said it was doable.

I was looking for a state at least around the size of the Principality of Pindus.

 

[Wendell]

There was the Principality of Pindus though it was a client state maintained by the Italians. Pasha did mention to me somewhere else that they would probably need to depend on a much more militarily powerful country to fall upon in case it gets invaded, etc. I suggested that the Ottomans would desire an autonomous Aromanian state at least to provide as a counter to Hellenization. He said it was doable.

[IMAGE]

I was looking for a state at least around the size of the Principality of Pindus.

THe problem with Pindus was that its borders were fluid, and much/most of its population was Greek. Had the Axis won, they might have made it work, but short of population relocations, the PIndus state could not be that size.

 

[Cuāuhtemōc]

THe problem with Pindus was that its borders were fluid, and much/most of its population was Greek. Had the Axis won, they might have made it work, but short of population relocations, the PIndus state could not be that size.

Ah very much true.