Vasily Vodovozov and Serbia during the First World War

Abstract

The article analyzes, on the basis of relevant sources and literature, the attitude of the Russian publicist Vasily Vodovozov (1864–1933) toward Serbia during the First World War. As a war correspondent in Serbia, Vodovozov traveled through Macedonia and examined the attitudes of the local population. Owing to the favorable impressions he gained during his journey and his commitment to the principle of national self-determination, he predominantly supported Serbian war aims in his subsequent articles and books.

Summary: The Russian publicist, lawyer, and politician Vasily Vodovozov (1864–1933) had been interested in Balkan affairs, particularly the Macedonian Question, from a young age. As a socialist committed to the principle of national self-determination, he consistently advocated the establishment of an independent Macedonian state. During the Balkan Wars, in accordance with this position, he leaned more toward a pro-Bulgarian stance. However, after visiting Serbia as a war correspondent at the beginning of the First World War, Vodovozov adopted a pro-Serbian position. During his journey through Macedonia, he examined the attitudes of the local population and developed a relatively favorable impression of Serbian rule. As a result, over the following three years, he predominantly supported Serbian war aims in his articles and books. Vodovozov argued that changing the borders in favor of Bulgaria would be a mistake. He was reserved regarding Serbian aspirations in Albania, while he fully supported Serbia in its territorial disputes with Romania and Italy concerning territories with a predominantly Serbian or, more broadly, South Slavic population. The February Revolution of 1917 increased Vodovozov’s influence on Russian public opinion, but this influence quickly disappeared following the Bolshevik seizure of power.