View source for Gotse Delchev

{{Short description|Macedonian Bulgarian revolutionary (1872–1903)}}
{{other uses}}
{{pp-vandalism|small=yes}}
{{family name hatnote|Nikolov|Delchev|lang=Bulgarian}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2024}}
{{Infobox military person
| honorific_prefix = Voivode
| name          = Gotse Delchev
| native_name   = Гоце Делчев
| image         = Gotze.jpeg
| caption       = Portrait of Gotse Delchev in Sofia {{circa|1900}}
| birth_date    = {{Birth date|1872|02|04|df=y}}
| death_date    = {{death date and age|1903|05|04|1872|02|04|df=y}}
| birth_place   = Kukush, [[Ottoman Empire]]
| death_place   = [[Banitsa (ruins)|Banitsa]], [[Ottoman Empire]]
| death_cause   = [[Gunshot wound]]
| placeofburial = [[Banitsa (ruins)|Banitsa]] (1903–1913)<br>[[Xanthi]] (1913–1919)<br>[[Plovdiv]] (1919–1923)<br>[[Sofia]] (1923–1946)<br>[[Church of the Ascension of Jesus, Skopje]] (since 1946)
| birth_name    = Georgi Nikolov Delchev
| other_name    = Ahil (Archilles; ''[[nom de guerre]]'')
| branch        = [[Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization]]<br>[[Supreme Macedonian-Adrianople Committee]] (1899-1901)
| battles       =
| alma_mater    = [[Vasil Levski National Military University|Military School of His Princely Highness]]
| laterwork     = Teacher
}}
'''Georgi Nikolov Delchev''' ({{langx|bg|Георги Николов Делчев}}; {{langx|mk|Ѓорѓи Николов Делчев}}; 4 February 1872&nbsp;– 4 May 1903), known as '''Gotse Delchev''' or '''Goce Delčev''' (''Гоце Делчев''),<ref group="note">Originally spelled in [[Reforms of Bulgarian orthography|older Bulgarian orthography]] as ''Гоце Дѣлчевъ''. - Гоце Дѣлчевъ. Биография. П.К. Яворовъ, 1904.</ref> was a prominent [[Macedonian Bulgarians|Macedonian Bulgarian]] revolutionary ([[komitadji]]) and one of the most important leaders of what is commonly known as the [[Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization]] (IMRO),<ref>{{multiref2
|1={{cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Internal-Macedonian-Revolutionary-Organization|title=Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization|website=[[Encyclopædia Britannica]]|last=Danforth|first=Loring|quote=IMRO was founded in 1893 in Thessaloníki; its early leaders included Damyan Gruev, Gotsé Delchev, and Yane Sandanski, men who had a Macedonian regional identity and a Bulgarian national identity.|access-date=2 October 2020|archive-date=1 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101094655/https://www.britannica.com/topic/Internal-Macedonian-Revolutionary-Organization|url-status=live}}
|2={{cite book |title=The Macedonian conflict: ethnic nationalism in a transnational world |first=Loring M. |last=Danforth |publisher=Princeton University Press |year=1997 |isbn=0691043566 |page=64 |quote=The political and military leaders of the Slavs of Macedonia at the turn of the century seem not to have heard Misirkov's call for a separate Macedonian national identity; they continued to identify themselves in a national sense as Bulgarian rather than Macedonians. (...) In spite of these political differences, both groups, including those who advocated an independent Macedonian state and opposed the idea of a greater Bulgaria, never seem to have doubted "the predominantly Bulgarian character of the population of Macedonia". (...) Even Gotse Delchev, the famous Macedonian revolutionary leader, whose nom de guerre was Ahil (Achilles), refers to "the Slavs of Macedonia as 'Bulgarians' in an offhanded manner without seeming to indicate that such a designation was a point of contention" (Perry 1988:23). In his correspondence Gotse Delchev often states clearly and simply, "We are Bulgarians" (Mac Dermott 1978:273).}}
|3={{cite book |title=The Politics of Terror: The Macedonian Liberation Movements, 1893-1903 |first=Duncan M. |last=Perry |location=Durham, NC and London |publisher=Duke University Press |year=1988 |isbn=9780822308133 |page=23}}
|4={{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Xoww453NVQMC&pg=PA79 |title=Collective Memory, National Identity, and Ethnic Conflict: Greece, Bulgaria, and the Macedonian Question |author=Victor Roudometof |year=2002 |isbn=0275976483 |page=79 |publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group}}
|5={{cite book |title=Ottoman Passports: Security and Geographic Mobility, 1876-1908 |author=İlkay Yılmaz |year=2023 |isbn=9780815656937 |page=265 |publisher=Syracuse University Press}}
}}</ref> active in the [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]]-ruled [[Region of Macedonia|Macedonia]] and [[Adrianople Thrace|Adrianople]] regions, as well as in Bulgaria, at the turn of the 20th century.<ref name="kb">{{cite book |author=Keith Brown |title=The Past in Question: Modern Macedonia and the Uncertainties of Nation, |publisher=Princeton University Press |date=2018 |isbn=0691188432 |page=174}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=The Making of a New Europe: R.W. Seton-Watson and the Last Years of Austria-Hungary |author=Hugh Seton-Watson |publisher=Methuen |date=1981 |isbn=0416747302 |page=71}}</ref> Delchev was [[Foreign Representation of the Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization|IMRO's foreign representative in Sofia]], the capital of the [[Principality of Bulgaria]].<ref>{{cite book |editor1=Angelos Chotzidis |editor2=Anna Panagiōtopoulou |editor3=Vasilis Gounaris |title=The Events of 1903 in Macedonia as Presented in European Diplomatic Correspondence |date=1993 |isbn=9608530334 |page=60}}</ref> As such, he was also a member of the [[Supreme Macedonian-Adrianople Committee]] (SMAC) for a period,<ref>{{cite book |quote=From 1899 to 1901, the supreme committee provided subsidies to IMRO's central committee, allowances for Delchev and Petrov in Sofia, and weapons for bands sent to the interior. Delchev and Petrov were elected full members of the supreme committee. |author=Laura Beth Sherman |title=Fires on the Mountain: The Macedonian Revolutionary Movement and the Kidnapping of Ellen Stone |publisher=East European monographs |date=1980 |isbn=0914710559 |page=18}}</ref> participating in the work of its governing body.<ref name="dm">{{cite book |author=Duncan M. Perry |title=The Politics of Terror: The Macedonian Liberation Movements, 1893-1903 |publisher=Duke University Press |date=1988 |isbn=0822308134 |pages=39–40, 82–83, 120}}</ref> He was killed in a skirmish with an Ottoman unit on the eve of the [[Ilinden-Preobrazhenie Uprising]].

Born into a [[Bulgarian Millet]] affiliated family in [[Kukush]] (today Kilkis in [[Greece]]),<ref name="Johnson">{{cite book |quote=Delchev and his co-conspirators had a larger purpose; a general, mass-uprising that would force the [[Sublime Porte|Porte]] to grant autonomy to all of Macedonia, a development intended to be a historic first step towards full independence. Born in Kukush (today, Kilkis in Greece) in 1872, Delchev operated from the large, polyglot port city of Salonika just to the south. |author=Wes Johnson |title=Balkan inferno: betrayal, war and intervention, 1990-2005 |publisher=Enigma Books |date=2007 |isbn=1929631634 |page=80}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author=Susan K. Kinnell |title=People in World History, Volume 1; An Index to Biographies in History Journals and Dissertations Covering All Countries of the World Except Canada and the U.S |isbn=0874365503 |publisher=ABC-CLIO |date=1989 |page=157}}</ref><ref>Delchev was born into a family of [[Bulgarian Uniat Church|Bulgarian Uniates]], who later switched to Bulgarian Еxarchists. For more see: Светозар Елдъров, Униатството в съдбата на България: очерци из историята на българската католическа църква от източен обред, Абагар, 1994, {{ISBN|9548614014}}, стр. 15.</ref> then in the [[Salonica vilayet|Salonika vilayet]] of the [[Ottoman Empire]]. In his youth he was inspired by the ideals of earlier Bulgarian revolutionaries such as [[Vasil Levski]] and [[Hristo Botev]], who envisioned the creation of a Bulgarian republic of ethnic and religious equality, as part of an imagined [[Balkan Federation]].<ref>{{cite book |author=Charles Jelavich |title=The Establishment of the Balkan National States, 1804-1920 |publisher=University of Washington Press |date=1986 |isbn=0295803606 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LBYriPYyfUoC&pg=PA138 |pages=137–138}}</ref> Delchev completed his secondary education in the [[Bulgarian Men's High School of Thessaloniki]] and entered the [[Vasil Levski National Military University|Military School of His Princely Highness]] in [[Sofia]], but at the final stage of his study, he was dismissed for holding [[socialist]] literature.<ref name="Heraclides">{{cite book |title=The Macedonian Question and the Macedonians: A History |author=Alexis Heraclides |publisher=Routledge |isbn=9780367218263 |date=2021 |pages=37, 41-42, 47, 55, 140-145, 170-171}}</ref><ref name="hp">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ppbuavUZKEwC&pg=PA54 |title=Who are the Macedonians? |author=Hugh Poulton |publisher=C. Hurst & Co. |year=2000 |isbn=1850655340 |pages=53–56, 117}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |editor1=Wojciech Roszkowski |editor2=Jan Kofman |title=Biographical Dictionary of Central and Eastern Europe in the Twentieth Century |date=2008 |publisher=M.E. Sharpe |isbn=9780765610270 |page=192}}</ref> Then he returned to Ottoman Macedonia and worked as a [[Bulgarian Exarchate]] schoolteacher, and immediately became an activist of the newly-found revolutionary movement in 1894.<ref name="detrez">{{cite book |author=Raymond Detrez |title=The A to Z of Bulgaria |publisher=Scarecrow Press |date=2010 |isbn=0810872021 |page=135}}</ref>

Although considering himself to be an inheritor of the [[Internal Revolutionary Organization|Bulgarian revolutionary traditions]],<ref name="dm" /> he opted for Macedonian autonomy.<ref name="todorova">{{cite book |author=Maria Todorova |title=Bones of Contention: The Living Archive of Vasil Levski and the Making of Bulgaria's National Hero |publisher=Central European University Press |date=2009 |isbn=9639776246 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SiLslEpPADAC&pg=PA76 |pages=76–77}}</ref> For him, like for many [[Slavic speakers in Ottoman Macedonia|Slavic Macedonian]] prominent intellectuals, originating from an area with mixed population,<ref>{{cite book |quote=The French referred to 'Macedoine' as an area of mixed races&nbsp;— and named a salad after it. One doubts that Gotse Delchev approved of this descriptive, but trivial approach. |author=Wes Johnson |title=Balkan inferno: betrayal, war and intervention, 1990-2005 |publisher=Enigma Books |date=2007 |isbn=1929631634 |page=80}}</ref><ref name="Ljuljanovic">{{cite book |author=Denis Š. Ljuljanović |title=Imagining Macedonia in the Age of Empire: State Policies, Networks and Violence (1878–1912) |date=2023 |publisher=LIT Verlag Münster |isbn=9783643914460 |pages= 211-212; 219.}}</ref> the idea of being 'Macedonian' acquired the importance of a certain native loyalty, that constructed a specific spirit of "local patriotism" and "[[Polyculturalism|multi-ethnic]] [[Regionalism (politics)|regionalism]]".<ref>{{cite book |quote=The article in ''Reformi'' states that some Slavic Macedonian intellectuals felt loyalty to Macedonia as a region or territory without claiming any specifically Macedonian ethnicity. The primary aim of multi-ethnic Macedonian regionalism was an alliance of Greeks and Slavs (read: Bulgarians) against Ottoman rule. This sort of [[Macedonian nationalism|Macedonianism]], notice, does not qualify as classic "civic" nationalism. The phrase "civic Macedonian nationalism" implies a multi-cultural tolerance. But Macedonian regionalism was strongly Christian, and usually excluded Macedonia's Muslims, though we shall see that some patriots accepted Muslim peasants as fellow Macedonians. |title=Region, Regional Identity and Regionalism in Southeastern Europe |author1=Klaus Roth |author2=Ulf Brunnbauer |publisher=LIT Verlag Münster |date=2009 |isbn=3825813878 |page=133}}</ref> He maintained the slogan promoted by [[William Ewart Gladstone]], "[[Macedonia for the Macedonians]]", including all different nationalities inhabiting the area.<ref>{{cite book
|last=Lieberman
|first=Benjamin
|title=Terrible Fate: Ethnic Cleansing in the Making of Modern Europe
|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UXlfAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA56
|year=2013
|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield
|isbn=978-1-4422-3038-5}}, p. 56</ref><ref name="Mishkova">{{cite book |author=Tchavdar Marinov |chapter=We, the Macedonians, The Paths of Macedonian Supra-Nationalism (1878–1912) |editor=Diana Mishkova |date=2009 |title=We, the People: Politics of National Peculiarity in Southeastern Europe |publisher=Central European University Press |isbn=9639776289 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pbi_wzu7QAMC&q=We,+the+People:+Politics+of+National |pages=114, 117–120, 122}}</ref><ref name="karakasidou">{{cite book |author=Anastasia Karakasidou |author-link=Anastasia Karakasidou |title=Fields of Wheat, Hills of Blood: Passages to Nationhood in Greek Macedonia, 1870-1990 |publisher=University of Chicago Press |date=2009 |isbn=0226424995 |page=282}}</ref> Delchev was also an adherent of incipient socialism.<ref>{{cite book
|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3hCGAAAAIAAJ
|title=Whose are you? identity and ethnicity among the Toronto Macedonians
|author=Peter Vasiliadis
|publisher=AMS Press
|year=1989
|isbn=0404194680
| page=77
|access-date=5 July 2013}}</ref><ref name="Ljuljanovic"/><ref name="Tunçay">{{cite book |title=Socialism and nationalism in the Ottoman Empire, 1876–1923 |editor1=Mete Tunçay |editor2=Erik Jan Zürcher |publisher=British Academic Press |location=Amsterdam |date=1994 |isbn=1850437874 |pages=36-37}}</ref> His political agenda became the establishment through revolution of [[autonomy for Macedonia and Adrianople regions]] into the framework of the Ottoman Empire, which in the case of Macedonia would lead to her full independence and inclusion within a future Balkan Federation.<ref>{{cite book |title=The Macedonian Conflict: Ethnic Nationalism in a Transnational World |first=Loring M. |last=Danforth |publisher=Princeton University Press |year=1995 |isbn=0691043566 |page=51 |quote=One of the leaders of VMRO was Gotse Delchev, the father of the Macedonian revolution and the most powerful symbol of the dedication of the Macedonian people to the ideals of freedom and independence.}}</ref><ref name="Johnson"/><ref name="Banac">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KfqbujXqQBkC&pg=PA315|title=The National Question in Yugoslavia: Origins, History, Politics|author=Ivo Banac.|year=1984|location=Ithaca, N.Y.|isbn=978-0801494932|pages=314-315|publisher=Cornell University Press|access-date=20 November 2011}}</ref><ref name="Heraclides"/> Despite having been educated in the spirit of Bulgarian nationalism, he was an opponent of the incorporation of Macedonia inside Bulgaria.<ref>{{cite book |author=Dennis P. Hupchik |title=The Balkans. From Constantinople to Communism |date= 2002 |publisher= Palgrave Macmillan |isbn=0312299133 |page= 301 |quote=Soon after Delčev’s reorganization, IMRO split into two factions over the issue of future Macedonian autonomy. Delčev, supported by [[Yane Sandanski|Sandanski]] and others, held to the original goal of an independent autonomous Macedonia and adamantly opposed Macedonia’s incorporation into Bulgaria, which a number of his colleagues advocated.}}</ref><ref name="nla">{{cite book |author=Nadine Lange-Akhund |title=The Macedonian Question, 1893-1908, from Western Sources |date=1998 |publisher=East European Monographs |isbn=9780880333832 |pages=37–39, 43, 53, 102-112, 119-123}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=D. Law|first=Randall|title=Terrorism: A History|year= 2009|publisher=Polity Press|location=Cambridge|page=154|isbn= 0745640389}}</ref><ref name="Ljuljanovic"/><ref name="todorova"/> Furthermore, he revised the [[First statute of the IMRO|Organization's statute]], where the membership was allowed only for Bulgarians, in order for it to depart from the exclusively Bulgarian nature, and IMRO begun to acquire a more separatist stance.<ref>{{cite book |author=John Phillips |title=Macedonia: Warlords and Rebels in the Balkans |publisher=Yale University Press |date=2004 |isbn=0300102682 |page=24 |quote=Gotse Delchev, a visionary teacher who was another of the very first nationalist luminaries who went on to become their most attractive and evocative national hero after he was killed in 1903 while fighting the Turks, rejected offers of assistance from neighbours. 'Those who believe that the answer to our national liberation lies in Bulgaria, Serbia or Greece might consider themselves a good Bulgarian, good Serb or a good Greek, but not a good Macedonian.' Delchev conceived of Macedonia as a cosmopolitan homeland for all its religious and ethnic groups. The first article of its rules and regulations was: 'Everyone who lives in European Turkey, regardless of sex, nationality, or personal beliefs, may become a member of IMRO'.}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Xoww453NVQMC&pg |title=Collective Memory, National Identity, and Ethnic Conflict: Greece, Bulgaria, and the Macedonian Question |author=Victor Roudometof |year=2002 |isbn=0275976483 |page=112 |publisher=Bloomsbury Academic}}</ref><ref name="Banac"/><ref>{{cite book |author=Laura Beth Sherman |title=Fires on the mountain: the Macedonian revolutionary movement and the kidnapping of Ellen Stone, Volume 62 |publisher=East European Monographs |date=1980 |isbn=0914710559 |page=10}}</ref> In this way he emphasized the importance of cooperation among all ethnic groups in the territories concerned in order to obtain full [[Autonomism (political doctrine)|political autonomy]].<ref>{{cite book |quote=The Bulgarian loyalties of IMRO's leadership, however, coexisted with the desire for multi-ethnic Macedonia to enjoy administrative autonomy. When Delchev was elected to IMRO's Central Committee in 1896, he opened membership in IMRO to all inhabitants of European Turkey since the goal was to assemble all dissatisfied elements in Macedonia and Adrianople regions regardless of ethnicity or religion in order to win through revolution full autonomy for both regions. |title=Region, Regional Identity and Regionalism in Southeastern Europe |author1=Klaus Roth |author2=Ulf Brunnbauer |publisher=LIT Verlag Münster |date=2009 |isbn=3825813878 |page=136}}</ref><ref name="detrez" /> 

Delchev is considered a national hero in [[Bulgaria]] and [[North Macedonia]]. In the latter it is claimed he was an [[ethnic Macedonian]] revolutionary. Thus, his legacy has been disputed between both countries.<ref>{{cite book|last=Opfer|first=Björn|title=Im Schatten des Krieges: Besatzung oder Anschluss - Befreiung oder Unterdrückung? ; eine komparative Untersuchung über die bulgarische Herrschaft in Vardar-Makedonien 1915-1918 und 1941-1944|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IPknoQzKm9sC&pg=PA27|year=2005|publisher=LIT Verlag Münster|isbn=978-3-8258-7997-6 |pages=27-28 |quote=Die Frage der nationalen Zugehörigkeit der Slawo-Makedonier war indes von Anfang an umstritten. Beharrte ein Hügel um Goce Delcev auf der Unabhängigkeit auch gegenüber Bulgarien, sprachen sich andere für eine engere Zusammenarbeit mit dem Oberen Komitee in Sofia aus. Ob sich nun aber Delcev und seine Anhänger selbst als Bulgaren oder primär als slawische Makedonier definierten, ist bis heute ein heftiger Streit xwischen Bulgarien und Makedonien geblieben. Eindcutig beantworten lässt sich diese Frage nicht, und letztlich wurde dieser Richtungsstreit in der makedonischen Bewegung nie beendet. |trans-quote=The question of the national affiliation of the Slav-Macedonians was controversial from the beginning. While some around Goce Delcev insisted on independence from Bulgaria, others advocated closer cooperation with the Supreme Committee in Sofia. Whether Delcev and his followers defined themselves as Bulgarians or primarily as Slavic Macedonians remains a fierce dispute between Bulgaria and Macedonia to this day. There is no definitive answer to this question, and ultimately, this dispute over the direction of the Macedonian movement was never resolved.}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |quote=Gotse Delchev, may, as Macedonian historians claim, have 'objectively' served the cause of Macedonian independence, but in his letters he called himself a Bulgarian. In other words it is not clear that the sense of Slavic Macedonian identity at the time of Delchev was in general developed. |author=Athanasios Moulakis |title=The Controversial Ethnogenesis of Macedonia |journal=European Political Science |date=2010 |issn=1680-4333 |page=497}}</ref> Delchev's autonomist ideas have stimulated the subsequent development of [[Macedonian nationalism]].<ref name="Marinov">{{cite book |author1=Roumen Dontchev Daskalov |author2=Tchavdar Marinov |title=Entangled Histories of the Balkans - Volume One: National Ideologies and Language Policies |publisher=BRILL |date=2013 |isbn=900425076X |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FGmJqMflYgoC&pg=PA303 |pages=300–303}}</ref><ref name="Heraclides"/> Nevertheless, for part of the members of IMRO behind the idea of autonomy a reserve plan for eventual annexation by Bulgaria was hidden.<ref name="Ipek">{{cite book |author=İpek Yosmaoğlu |title=Blood Ties: Religion, Violence and the Politics of Nationhood in Ottoman Macedonia, 1878–1908 |publisher=Cornell University Press |date=2013 |isbn=0801469791 |pages=16, 30-31, 204}}</ref><ref >{{cite book |author=Dimitris Livanios |title=The Macedonian Question: Britain and the Southern Balkans 1939-1949 |publisher=OUP Oxford |date=2008 |isbn=0191528722 |page=17}}</ref> Per some of his contemporaries, closely associated with him, Delchev supported Macedonia's [[Bulgarian irredentism|incorporation into Bulgaria]] as another option too.<ref name="Ljuljanovic"/> Other researchers find the identity of Delchev and other IMRO figures to be open to different interpretations.

== Life ==
[[File:Sultana-Delcheva.jpg|thumb|100px|right|Delchev's mother - Sultana]]
[[File:Nikola-Delchev.jpg|thumb|100px|right|Delchev's father – Nikola]]
[[File:Delchev and imov.jpg|thumb|150px|right|Delchev (right) and his former classmate from [[Kilkis]], Imov as [[officer cadets]] in [[Sofia]].]]
[[File:Diplom Gotse.jpg|thumb|200px|right|The diploma of Delchev from his graduation from the [[Vasil Levski National Military University|Military school in Sofia]].<ref group="note">Below is a statement that the cadet was expelled from the school on the basis of a memorandum of an officer, because of manifest poor behavior, but the school allows him to re-apply to a Commission for recovery of his status.</ref>]]

=== Early life ===
He was born to a large family on 4 February 1872 (23 January according to the [[Julian calendar]]) in [[Kilkis|Kılkış]] (Kukush), then in the [[Ottoman Empire]] (today in [[Greece]]), to Nikola and Sultana. He was christened as Georgi.<ref name="mm">{{cite book |author=Mercia MacDermott |title=Freedom or Death: The Life of Gotsé Delchev |publisher=Journeyman Press |date=1978 |pages=32, 84, 87, 127-130, 171, 331, 346, 405 |isbn=0-904526-32-1}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author=Robert D. Kaplan |title=Balkan ghosts: a journey through history |publisher=Vintage books |date=1994 |isbn=0-679-74981-0 |page=58}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author=Kōnstantinos Apostolou Vakalopoulos |title=Modern History of Macedonia, (1830-1912) |publisher=Barbounakis |date=1988 |pages=61–62}}</ref><ref>An 1873 Ottoman study, published in 1878 as "Ethnographie des Vilayets d'Andrinople, de Monastir et de Salonique", concluded that the population of Kilkis consisted of 1,170 households, of which there were 5,235 Bulgarian inhabitants, 155 Muslims and 40 Romani people. "Македония и Одринско. Статистика на населението от 1873 г." Macedonian Scientific Institute, Sofia, 1995, pp.160-161.
</ref><ref>Khristov, Khristo Dechkov. ''The Bulgarian Nation During the National Revival Period''. Institut za istoria, Izd-vo na Bŭlgarskata akademia na naukite, 1980, str. 293.
</ref> During the 1860s and 1870s, Kukush was under the jurisdiction of the [[Bulgarian Greek Catholic Church|Bulgarian Uniate Church]],<ref>{{cite book
|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9lknbJSVBKgC&pg=PA74
|title=Bulgaria
|series=Oxford History of Modern Europe
|author=R. J. Crampton
|publisher=Oxford University Press
|year=2007
|isbn=978-0198205142
|pages=74–77
|access-date=20 November 2011}}
</ref><ref>In one five-year period, there were 57 Catholic villages in the area, whilst the Bulgarian uniate schools in the Vilayet of Thessaloniki reached 64. Gounaris, Basil C. ''National Claims, Conflicts and Developments in Macedonia, 1870–1912'', p. 186.
</ref> but after 1884 most of its population gradually joined the [[Bulgarian Exarchate]].<ref>{{cite book |author=Светозар Елдъров |title=Униатството в съдбата на България: очерци из историята на българската католическа църква от източен обред |publisher=Абагар |date=1994 |isbn=9548614014 |pages=68–69}}</ref> As a student, Delchev studied first at the Bulgarian Uniate primary school and then at the Bulgarian Exarchate junior high school.<ref>Гоце Делчев, Писма и други материали, издирил и подготвил за печат Дино Кьосев, отговорен редактор Воин Божинов (Изд. на Българската академия на науките, Институт за история, София 1967) стр. 15.</ref> He also read widely in the town's [[chitalishte]] (community cultural center), where he was impressed with revolutionary books, and was especially imbued with thoughts of the [[liberation of Bulgaria]].<ref>{{cite book |author=Susan K. Kinnell |title=People in World History: A-M |publisher=ABC-CLIO |date=1989 |isbn=0874365503 |page=157}}</ref> In 1888 his family sent him to the [[Bulgarian Men's High School of Thessaloniki]], where he organized and led a secret revolutionary brotherhood.<ref name="jb">{{cite web |author=Julian Allan Brooks |date=December 2005 |title='Shoot the Teacher!' Education and the Roots of the Macedonian Struggle". |url=https://summit.sfu.ca/_flysystem/fedora/sfu_migrate/10178/etd1944.pdf |website=Department of History&nbsp;– Simon Fraser University |pages=133–134}}</ref> Delchev also distributed revolutionary literature, which he acquired from the school's graduates who studied in [[Principality of Bulgaria|Bulgaria]]. Bulgarian students graduating from high school were faced with few career prospects and Delchev decided to follow the path of his former schoolmate [[Boris Sarafov]], entering the military school in [[Sofia]] in 1891. He became disappointed with life in Bulgaria, especially the commercialized life of the society in Sofia and with the authoritarian politics of the prime minister [[Stefan Stambolov]],<ref name="jb" /> accused of being a dictator.<ref name="dm" />

Delchev spent his leaves from school in the company of socialists and Macedonian-born emigrants, most of them belonged to the [[Young Macedonian Literary Society]].<ref name="jb" /> One of his friends was [[Vasil Glavinov]], a future leader of the [[Macedonian-Adrianople Social Democratic Group]], a faction of the [[Bulgarian Social Democratic Workers Party]].<ref name="mm" /> Through Glavinov and his comrades, he came into contact with different people, who offered a new form of social struggle. In June 1892, Delchev and the journalist [[Kosta Shahov]], a chairman of the Young Macedonian Literary Society, met in Sofia with [[Ivan Hadzhinikolov]], a bookseller from [[Thessaloniki]] (Salonika). Hadzhinikolov disclosed at this meeting his plans to create a revolutionary organization in [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]] Macedonia. They discussed together its basic principles and agreed fully on all scores. Delchev explained that he had no intention of remaining an officer and promised after graduating from the Military School, he would return to Macedonia to join the organization.<ref>{{cite book |author=Цочо Билярски |title=ВМОРО през погледа на нейните основатели. Спомени на Дамян Груев, д-р Христо Татарчев, Иван Хаджиниколов, Антон Димитров, Петър Попарсов |location=Sofia |publisher=Св. Георги Победоносец |date=2001 |isbn=9545092335 |pages=89–93 |language=bg}}</ref> In September 1894, only a month before graduation, he was expelled for his socialist and revolutionary ideas.<ref name="va">{{cite book |author=Vemund Aarbakke |title=Ethnic rivalry and the quest for Macedonia, 1870-1913 |publisher=East European Monographs |date=2003 |isbn=0-88033-527-0 |pages=92, 99–105, 132}}</ref><ref name="ffap">{{cite book |author=Mercia MacDermott |title=For freedom and Perfection: The Life of Yané Sandansky |publisher=Journeyman Press |location=London |date=1988 |url=http://www.promacedonia.org/en/mm/mm_3.htm |pages=44–45, 326 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081006232553/http://www.promacedonia.org/en/mm/mm_3.htm |archive-date=6 October 2008}}</ref><ref name="nla"/> He was given the possibility to enter the Army again by re-applying for a commission, but he refused. Afterwards he returned to Macedonia to become a teacher and set up secret committees, based on [[Vasil Levski]]'s example.<ref name="ffap" /> At that time, the Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization (IMRO) was in its early stages of development, forming its committees around the Bulgarian Exarchate schools in order to exploit the extensive school system.<ref>{{cite web |author=Julian Allan Brooks |date=December 2005 |title='Shoot the Teacher!' Education and the Roots of the Macedonian Struggle". |url=https://summit.sfu.ca/_flysystem/fedora/sfu_migrate/10178/etd1944.pdf |website=Department of History&nbsp;– Simon Fraser University |pages=136–137 |quote=The expanding Exarchate school system was ideally suited to IMRO's goals. It gave them the means to spread their message and recruit new members. It also served as a ready-made infrastructure which IMRO members could exploit while ostensibly labouring as humble teachers.}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author=Elisabeth Özdalga |title=Late Ottoman Society: The Intellectual Legacy |publisher=Routledge |date=2013 |isbn=1134294743 |page=263}}</ref> 

=== Teacher and revolutionary ===
[[File:Svidetelstvo Goce Delcev.jpg|thumb|150px|right|Diploma from the [[Bulgarian Exarchate]]'s school in [[Štip]], signed by Delchev as a teacher.]]
[[File:Delchev Bulgarian Exarch letter.jpg|thumb|160px|Letter from Delchev to the Bulgarian [[Joseph I of Bulgaria|Exarch Yosif]], where he resigned as head teacher in [[Bansko]].]]
[[File:Gotsedelchev-letter.jpg|thumb|160px|right|Letter from Delchev to Nikola Maleshevski dated 5 January 1899, where he called for unity among Bulgarians.<ref>{{cite book |editor=N. Chakalova |title=The Unity of the Bulgarian language in the past and today |publisher=Publishing House of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences |date=1980 |page=53}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Гоце Делчев, Писма и други материали |editor=Воин Божинов |publisher=Изд. на Българската академия на науките, Институт за история |location=Sofia |date=1967 |url=http://macedonia.kroraina.com/gd2/gd_3.html#116 |pages=183–186 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180521021827/http://macedonia.kroraina.com/gd2/gd_3.html#116 |quote=Kolyo, I have received all your letters hitherto sent by you and through you. May the splits and splinterings not frighten us. It is really a pity, but what can we do, since we are Bulgarians and all suffer from one common disease! If this disease did not exist in our ancestors, from whom it is also an inheritance in us, they would not have fallen under the ugly scepter of the Turkish sultans. Our duty, of course, is not to give in to that disease, but can we make others do the same? Moreover, we have borrowed something from the Greek diseases, namely how many heads, that many captains. Its empty glory!... Everyone wants to shine, and does not know the falseness of this shine. Woe to those, over whose sufferings all these comedies are played out. |archive-date=21 May 2018}}</ref><ref name="mm" />]]
[[File:Corrected by Gotse Delchev statute of BMARC.jpg|160px|right|thumb|Excerpt from the statute of BMARC, with corrections made by hand, personally by Gotse Delchev with intention to work out the new statute of the SMARO.]]
[[File:SMARO.jpg|160px|right|thumb|Excerpt from the statute of [[SMARO]], whose author was Delchev.]]
In [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]] [[Salonika]], IMRO was founded in 1893, by a small band of anti-Ottoman [[Macedonian Bulgarians|Macedono-Bulgarian]] revolutionaries, including [[Ivan Hadzhinikolov|Hadzhinikolov]]. The [[First statute of the IMRO|earliest known statute of the Organization]] calls it ''Bulgarian Macedonian-Adrianople Revolutionary Committees'' (BMARC).<ref name="hp" /><ref>{{cite book
|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-hOkx7Gi4OoC&pg=PA441
|title=Encyclopedia of the Age of Imperialism, 1800–1914
|author=Carl Cavanagh Hodge
|isbn=978-0313334047
|page=442
|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group
|date=30 November 2007
|access-date=20 November 2011}}
</ref> It was decided at a meeting in [[Resen (town)|Resen]] in August 1894 to preferably recruit teachers from the Bulgarian schools as committee members.<ref name="va" /> Although Delchev despised the Exarchate policy in Macedonia, in 1894 he became a teacher in an [[Bulgarian Exarchate|Exarchate]] school in [[Štip]].<ref name="mp">{{cite book |author=Michael Palairet |title=Macedonia: A Voyage through History (Vol. 2, From the Fifteenth Century to the Present), Volume 2 |date=2016 |publisher=Cambridge Scholars Publishing |isbn=9781443888493 |pages=131-132, 136-137, 142-145}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=http://www.promacedonia.org/ag/ag_2_1.html |title=Балканските държави и Македонския въпрос |author=Anthoni Giza |trans-title=The Balkan states and the Macedonian question |publisher=Macedonian Scientific Institute |location=Sofia. |date=2001 |archive-date=1 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121001101913/http://www.promacedonia.org/ag/ag_2_1.html |url-status=live |language=bg}}</ref> There he met another teacher, [[Dame Gruev]], who was also among the founders of IMRO and a leader of the newly established local committee.<ref name="mm" /> Gruev told him about the existence of the Organization.<ref name="ffap" /> Delchev impressed Gruev with his honesty and joined the Organization immediately, gradually becoming one of its main leaders.<ref name="nla" /> Delchev advocated for the establishment of a secret revolutionary network, that would prepare the population for an armed uprising against the Ottoman rule, based on Levski's example.<ref name="detrez" /> They shared common views with Gruev that the liberation had to be achieved internally by a Macedonian organization without any foreign intervention.<ref name="nla" /><ref name="va" />  Therefore, Gruev concentrated his attention on Štip, while Delchev attempted to win over the surrounding villages.<ref name="va" /> It is unknown how many active members the Organization had from 1893 to 1897. Despite his and Gruev's efforts, the number of members grew slowly.<ref name="nla" /> In a letter from 1895, Delchev explained that the liberation of Macedonia as a state lies in an internal uprising for which a systematic agitation was conducted in order for the population to be ready in the near future, otherwise the result of a premature uprising would be tragic.<ref name="mm" /> Delchev travelled during the vacations throughout Macedonia and established and organized committees in villages and cities. In this period, he adopted Ahil (Archilles) as his ''[[nom de guerre]]''.<ref name="mm" /> Furthermore, he organized secret border crossing points towards Bulgaria near [[Kyustendil]] for easier infiltration of revolutionary propaganda literature.<ref name="nla" /> 

Delchev also established contacts with some of the leaders of the [[Supreme Macedonian-Adrianople Committee]] (SMAC). Its official declaration was a struggle for the autonomy of the [[Macedonia (region)|Macedonian]] and [[Adrianople]] regions.<ref>The earliest document which talks about the autonomy of Macedonia and Thrace into the Ottoman Empire is the resolution of the First congress of the Supreme Macedonian Committee held in Sofia in 1895. От София до Костур -освободителните борби на българите от Македония в спомени на дейци от Върховния македоно-одрински комитет, Ива Бурилкова, Цочо Билярски - съставители, {{ISBN|9549983234}}, Синева, 2003, стр. 6.</ref><ref>{{cite book |author=Светлозар Елдъров |title=Върховният македоно-одрински комитет и Македоно-одринската организация в България (1895–1903) |publisher=Иврай |location=Sofia |date=2003 |isbn=9549121062 |page=6}}</ref> However, as a rule, most of SMAC's leaders were officers with strong connections with the Bulgarian governments and prince [[Ferdinand I of Bulgaria|Ferdinand]], waging terrorist struggle against the Ottomans in the hope of provoking a war and thus [[Principality of Bulgaria|Bulgarian]] annexation of both areas. In late 1895 he arrived in Bulgaria's capital Sofia from the name of the "''Bulgarian Central Macedonian-Adrianopolitan Revolutionary Committee''" to prevent any foreign interference in its work.<ref>{{cite book |author=Vančo Gjorgiev |title=Петар Поп Арсов (1868–1941): Прилог кон проучувањето на македонското националноослободително движење |date=1997 |publisher=Матица македонска |page=61 |isbn=9789989481031 |language=mk}}</ref> In February 1896, he met SMAC's new leader [[Danail Nikolaev]], their conversation was turbulent and short. Namely, Nikolaev asserted that the only way to freedom was with trained Bulgarian soldiers and clandestine aid and finance of the Bulgarian government. Moreover, he considered Delchev a brash youngster and deemed unreal and absurd the idea of peasant uprising by revolutionary impulsion of the [[Slavic speakers in Ottoman Macedonia|Macedonian Slavs]].<ref name="nla" /><ref name="mp" /> SMAC wanted IMRO to be subordinated to them, and [[Bulgarian army]] officers to dominate their activity, while IMRO wanted to remain independent of Bulgarian governmental control.<ref name="Ipek" /> After spending the 1895/1896 school year as a teacher in the town of [[Bansko]], in May 1896 he was arrested by the Ottoman authorities as a person suspected of revolutionary activity and spent about a month in jail. Delchev participated in the Thessaloniki Congress of the IMRO in 1896.<ref name="nla" /> The Central Committee was placed in Salonika. He, along with [[Gyorche Petrov]], wrote the new organization's statute, which divided [[Macedonia (region)|Macedonia]] and Adrianople areas into seven regions, each with a regional structure and secret police, following the [[Internal Revolutionary Organization]]'s example.<ref name="hp" /><ref name="petrov">"Спомени на Гьорчо Петров", поредица Материяли за историята на македонското освободително движение, книга VIII, София, 1927, глава VII, (in English: "Memoirs of Gyorcho Petrov", series Materials about history of the Macedonian revolutionary movement, book VIII, Sofia, 1927, chapter VII).
</ref> Afterwards, Delchev gave his resignation as a teacher and in the same year, he moved back to Bulgaria.<ref name="py">{{cite book |author=Peyo Yavorov |title="Събрани съчинения", Том втори, "Гоце Делчев" |publisher=Издателство "Български писател" |location=Sofia |date=1977 |pages=30–33, 39 |language=bg |trans-title="Complete Works", Volume 2, biography "Gotse Delchev"}}</ref>

=== Revolutionary activity as part of the leadership of the Organization ===
The Central Committee regarded as necessary to have trustworthy permanent representatives in Sofia in order to mediate the tense relations with the SMAC, because IMRO looked to avoid a break since it was largely dependent on Bulgarian state material and financial assistance. Thus, from November 1896, Delchev was put in charge of the [[Foreign Representation of the Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization|Foreign Representation of the IMRO]] alongside Petrov who joined him in March 1897. Besides the dialogue with the SMAC, they were assigned to acquire funds or additional support and preserve ties with all those in the Bulgaria who were approving of the Macedonian cause.<ref name="mm" /><ref name="Mishkova"/><ref name="nla" /> Delchev envisioned independent production of weapons and traveled in 1897 to [[Odessa]],<ref name="mm" /> where he met with [[Armenian Revolutionary Federation|Armenian revolutionaries]] [[Stepan Zorian]] and [[Christapor Mikaelian]] to exchange terrorist skills and especially bomb-making.<ref>{{cite book |title=Loyal Unto Death: Trust and Terror in Revolutionary Macedonia |author=Keith Brown |publisher=Indiana University Press |date=2013 |isbn=0253008476 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Uv38FKNAqQEC&pg=PA62 |page=62}}</ref> That resulted in the establishment of a bomb manufacturing plant in the village of Sabler near [[Kyustendil]] in [[Principality of Bulgaria|Bulgaria]]. The bombs were later smuggled across the Ottoman border into Macedonia.<ref name="py" /> In the period from 1897 to 1898 the Organization decided to create permanent acting armed ''[[komitadji]]'' bands (''[[Cheta (armed group)|cheta]]s'') in every district, with Delchev as their leader.<ref name="bechev">{{cite book |author=Dimitar Bechev |title=Historical Dictionary of North Macedonia |date=3 September 2019 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |isbn=9781538119624 |pages=88–89 |edition=2nd}}</ref> He was the first to organize and lead a band into Macedonia with the purpose of robbing or kidnapping rich [[Ottoman Turks|Turks]]. This activity of his had variable success.<ref name="mp"/> His experiences demonstrate the weaknesses and difficulties which the Organization faced in its early years.<ref>{{cite book |title=Fires on the mountain: the Macedonian revolutionary movement and the kidnapping of Ellen Stone |author=Laura Beth Sherman |publisher=East European Monographs |date=1980 |isbn=0914710559 |page=15}}</ref> 

After 1897 there was a rapid growth of secret Bulgarian army officers' brotherhoods, whose members by 1900 numbered about a thousand.<ref>Modern history abstracts, 1450–1914, Volume 48, Issue 1–, American Bibliographical Center, Eric H. Boehm, ABC-Clio, 1997, p. 657.</ref> Much of the brotherhoods' activists were involved in the revolutionary activity of the IMRO, collecting funds and petitions in support of the Macedonian cause.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HDQn3tJkyUcC&pg=PA397 |title=История на Българите: Военна история на българите от древността до наши дни, том 5 |page=397 |isbn=978-9546212351 |access-date=20 November 2011 |last1=Зафиров |first1=Димитър |year=2007 |publisher=TRUD Publishers |language=bg}}</ref> They were formed on the initiative of Petrov by officers with whom he managed to develop good raport, one of them being the lieutenant [[Boris Sarafov]].<ref name="nla" /> Delchev was also among the main supporters of their activities.<ref>{{cite book |author=Светозар Елдъров |title=Тайните офицерски братства в освободителните борби на Македония и Одринско 1897–1912 |publisher=Военно издателство |location=София |date=2002 |pages=11–30 |language=bg}}</ref> Relations with the SMAC did not improve and remained tense until 1899. In May that year, on the 6th Congress of the SMAC, Sarafov was elected as new president after being proposed by Petrov and Delchev.<ref name="va" /> However, their first choice was [[Dimitar Blagoev]] by whose socialist ideas Delchev was specifically influenced, but he declined. Thus, they settled for Delchev's former schoolmate Sarafov, who they saw as favorable to IMRO's ideas even though their personalities differed.<ref name="nla" /><ref name="Heraclides" /> IMRO delegates Delchev and Petrov became by rights members of the leadership of the SMAC in May 1899, thus this signaled the start of a period of close cooperation.<ref>{{cite book
|author=Vassil Karloukovski
|url=http://www.kroraina.com/knigi/bk/bk_3.html
|title=Димо Хаджидимов. Живот и дело
|publisher=Изд. на Отечествения Фронт
|location=Sofia
|date=1985
|page=60
|language=bg
|access-date=20 November 2011
|archive-date=13 November 2006
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061113050830/http://www.kroraina.com/knigi/bk/bk_3.html
|url-status=live
}}</ref><ref name="nla" /> Although Sarafov proved capable of propagating the Macedonian cause and raise money, he was also arrogant and unpredictable, so Delchev and Petrov were unable to utilize him.<ref name="Heraclides" /> 

In 1900, Delchev resided for a while in [[Burgas]], where he organized another bomb manufacturing plant, whose dynamite was used later by the [[Boatmen of Thessaloniki]].<ref>Иван Карайотов, Стоян Райчевски, Митко Иванов: История на Бургас. От древността до средата на ХХ век, Печат Тафпринт ООД, Пловдив, 2011, {{ISBN|978-954-92689-1-1}}, стр. 192–193.</ref> In March 1900, Gotse Delchev, accompanied by [[Lazar Madzharov]], went on a tour of [[Strandzha Mountain]], aiming better coordination between Macedonian and Thracian revolutionary committees, returning to Burgas in mid-April.<ref>Иван Карайотов, Стоян Райчевски, Митко Иванов: ''История на Бургас. От древността до средата на ХХ век'', Печат Тафпринт ООД, Пловдив, 2011, {{ISBN|978-954-92689-1-1}}, стр. 192 – 193</ref> After the SMAC's assassination of the [[Romanians|Romanian]] newspaper editor [[Ștefan Mihăileanu]] in July, who had published unflattering remarks about the Macedonian affairs, Bulgaria and [[Romania]] were brought to the brink of war. At that time Delchev was preparing to organize a detachment which, in a possible war to support the Bulgarian army by its actions in [[Northern Dobruja]], where a compact [[Bulgarians in Romania|Bulgarian population]] was available.<ref>{{cite book |author1=Любомир Панайотов |author2=Христо Христов |title= Гоце Делчев: спомени, документи, материали |publisher=Институт за история (Българска академия на науките) |date=1978 |pages=104–105 |language=bg}}</ref> Meanwhile, Sarafov was reelected as president in August, and with that the involvement of Delchev and Petrov in the SMAC's work resumed. However, deep disagreements still existed, essentially concerning the ultimate aim of the autonomy which in IMRO's case was independent Macedonia as part of a future Balkan Federation, while for the SMAC it was unification with Bulgaria. Other instances were difference in mentality and social origin between "schoolteachers" and "officers", of which the latter desired to command the liberation operations, as well as the distrust by them in the idea of a peasant uprising led by teachers. The chief figure in this contemptuous attitude was General [[Ivan Tsonchev]], who was intimate with the Bulgarian prince [[Ferdinand I of Bulgaria|Ferdinand]] and his court.<ref name="nla" /> He was also the leader of those who intended through the cooperation to subordinate IMRO and he begun to work against Delchev and Petrov.<ref name="hp" /> Tsonchev and his supporters insisted on an immediate uprising which will be led by Bulgarian army officers. Consequently, Delchev with Petrov resisted Tsonchev's faction, as they asserted that the time for a uprising is not ripe since the population is still not ready to liberate itself, thus political agitation and guerilla fighting should proceed. On the other hand, Tsonchev's faction briefly contemplated assassinating them. Towards the end of 1900, the relations between the IMRO and SMAC deteriorated gradually.<ref name="va" /><ref name="nla" /> Furthermore, the ideologically inclined [[Ivan Garvanov]] offered Tsonchev control over IMRO, after managing to become ''de facto'' its leader by acquiring the archive and accounts, following the arrest of the Central Committee members in the beginning of 1901.<ref name="mp" /> Therefore, in March 1901, Delchev alongside Petrov sent a circular to local IMRO committee leaders, denouncing the attempt of SMAC to seize the direction of IMRO. They ordered the termination of all relations with it, as well as ordered all local committees to refuse any transition of any armed group which did not have a pass signed by him or Petrov, and their weapons to be seized.<ref name="nla" /> Delchev intended to promote an election list directed against Tsonchev at SMAC's 9th Congress in July 1901.<ref name="va" /> Nevertheless, Sarafov was replaced by [[Stoyan Mihaylovski]], while Tsonchev became the vice-president and assumed full control with his officers. After this, the relations between the SMAC and IMRO were limited and increasingly hostile.<ref name="nla" /> In September, Delchev and Petrov were replaced as foreign representatives of IMRO. From 1901 to 1902, Delchev made an important inspection in Macedonia, touring all revolutionary districts there. He also led the congress of the Adrianople revolutionary district held in [[Plovdiv]] in April 1902. Afterwards he inspected IMRO's structures in the Central [[Rhodopes]]. The inclusion of the rural areas into the organizational districts contributed to the expansion of the Organization and the increase in its membership, while providing the essential prerequisites for the formation of its military power, at the same time having Delchev as its military advisor (inspector) and chief of all internal revolutionary bands.<ref name="py" /> In August, despite being invited he refused to attend the 10th Congress of the SMAC, which escalated the crisis with IMRO.<ref name="nla" />

In late December 1902, Garvanov unexpectedly declared that a congress of IMRO will take place the following month. Particularly intended for a date of a general uprising in 1903 to be decided.<ref name="nla" /> By that time two strong tendencies had crystallized within IMRO. The Bulgarian nationalist majority was convinced that if the Organization would unleash a general uprising, it will lead to the collapse of the [[Ottoman Empire]].<ref name="Tunçay"/> On the other hand, the leaders of the IMRO [[leftists]], Delchev with Petrov strongly protested, elaborating that the ''komitadjis'' are not adequately prepared and a premature uprising will only result in massacre, endangering the whole organization as well.<ref name="bechev" /><ref name="Tunçay"/> However, without waiting for their reaction, Garvanov organized the [[Salonika]] Congress on 15 January 1903, with only 17 delegates cautiously selected to be favorable to his ideas.<ref name="mp" /><ref name="nla" /> Delchev did not participate nor any of the other leaders or founders of IMRO.<ref>{{cite book |editor1=Wojciech Roszkowski |editor2=Jan Kofman |title=Biographical Dictionary of Central and Eastern Europe in the Twentieth Century |date=2008 |publisher=M.E. Sharpe |isbn=9780765610270 |page=192}}</ref> A general uprising was debated and under the influence of Garvanov it was decided to stage one in May 1903. The opponents of the decision refused to recognize it.<ref name="nla" /> Delchev, with the anarchist [[Mihail Gerdzhikov]], proposed instead intensifying [[Terrorism|terrorist tactics]] and [[Guerrilla warfare|guerilla tactics]], which came to approval and postponement of the uprising by Garvanov's supporters, on the condition that it will lead to provoking revolts in the districts estimated sufficiently prepared.<ref>{{cite book |title=Das makedonische Jahrhundert: von den Anfängen der nationalrevolutionären Bewegung zum Abkommen von Ohrid 1893–2001 ; ausgewählte Aufsätze |author=Stefan Troebst|publisher=Oldenbourg Wissenschaftsverlag |pages=54–57|isbn=978-3486580501|year=2007|language=de}}</ref><ref>Пейо Яворов, "Събрани съчинения", Том втори, "Гоце Делчев", Издателство "Български писател", София, 1977, стр. 62–66. {{in lang|bg}} In English: Peyo Yavorov, "Complete Works", Volume 2, biography '' Delchev'', Publishing house "Bulgarian writer", Sofia, 1977, pp. 62–66.</ref> Thus Delchev and Petrov established terror units, which were associated with the anarchist organization [[Macedonian Secret Revolutionary Committee]].<ref name="Tunçay"/><ref name="nla" /><ref name="hp"/> With the arrival of spring, IMRO multiplied the attacks, and the violence grew significantly. Delchev went to Macedonia to meet in the [[Serres]] region with [[Yane Sandanski]] seeking support and understanding, as he was always ideologically concurred to him, and he shared the view to oppose the general uprising decision.<ref name="mp" /><ref name="mm" /> Towards the end of March 1903, Delchev with his band destroyed the 30 meters long Salonika-[[Istanbul]] railway bridge over the [[Aggitis|Angista]] river between Serres and [[Drama, Greece|Drama]], aiming to test the new terror tactics.<ref name="mm" /><ref name="nla" />

=== Death and aftermath ===
[[File:Delcheff.jpg|thumb|200px|right|The American daily [[New York Times]]'s report from 11 May 1903, about the death of Delchev.]]
[[File:TURK 18.gif|thumb|200px|right|Telegram by the [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]] authorities to their Embassy in [[Sofia]] informing, Delchev, one of the leaders of the Bulgarian Committees, was killed.<ref>It contains the following text in [[Ottoman Turkish language|Ottoman Turkish]]: "We inform you, that on April, 22 (May, 5), in the village of Banitsa one of the leaders of the Bulgarian Committees, with name Delchev, was killed". Tashev, Spas., Some Authentic Turkish Documents About Macedonia, International Institute for Macedonia, Sofia, 1998.</ref><ref>Александар Стоjaновски - "Турски документи за убиството на Гоце Делчев", Скопjе, 1992 година, стр. 38.</ref>]]
[[File:Javorov Delchev.jpg|thumb|160px|right|The first biographical book about Delchev, issued in 1904 by his friend, the [[Bulgarians|Bulgarian]] poet and revolutionary [[Peyo Yavorov]].]]
[[File:Burned town after Second Balkan War in 1913, Kilkis, Greece.jpg|thumb|200px|right|The ruins of [[Kilkis]] after the [[Second Balkan War]].]]
[[File:The bell tower and the ruins of the village of Banica.jpg|right|thumb|The bell tower among ruins of the village of Banitsa, where Delchev was buried until 1913.]]
[[File:Gotse_Delchev_remains_being_moved_to_Ilinden_organisation.jpg|thumb|right|The moving of the remains of Delchev to the seat of the [[Ilinden Organization]] in Sofia in 1923. Until then, the bones were kept in the house of the revolutionary Mihail Chakov in Plovdiv, and between 1913 and 1919 in his home in [[Xanthi]] (then part of Bulgaria).<ref>{{cite web |title=Кощунство от любов: Костите на Гоце Делчев 40 години стоят непогребани |url=http://mejdu-redovete.com/кощунство-от-любов-костите-на-гоце-дел/ |website=Между редовете |date=3 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116053538/https://mejdu-redovete.com/%D0%BA%D0%BE%D1%89%D1%83%D0%BD%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B2%D0%BE-%D0%BE%D1%82-%D0%BB%D1%8E%D0%B1%D0%BE%D0%B2-%D0%BA%D0%BE%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B8%D1%82%D0%B5-%D0%BD%D0%B0-%D0%B3%D0%BE%D1%86%D0%B5-%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BB/ |archive-date=16 January 2021 |language=bg}}</ref>]]
[[File:Gotse Delchev urna IMARO.JPG|thumb|180px|right|The chest in which Delchev's remains were kept until 1946. The text on it reads: "We swear the future generations these sacred bones to be buried in the capital of independent Macedonia".<ref>{{Cite book |title=Сп. Илюстрация Илинден, кн.6,|url=https://macedonia.kroraina.com/podporuchik/il_il/illustration_ilinden_year_5_issue_6.pdf|date=1933 |pages=7 |language=bg}}</ref>]] 
[[File:Grob.png|thumb|200px|right|The restored grave-place of Delchev among the ruins of [[Banitsa (ruins)|Banitsa]] during [[Bulgaria during World War II#Axis Powers|World War II Bulgarian annexation of Northern Greece]].]]

In late April he set out for Thessaloniki to meet with [[Dame Gruev]] after his release from prison in March 1903. Delchev hoped that he will argue against the uprising, but Gruev wanted it to proceed since the course of events had become unrepairable. Therefore, Delchev agreed to prepare as much he can in the [[Serres revolutionary district|Serres district]] and headed that way with the intention of holding a regional congress in Serres to lay out his plans for the uprising.<ref name="mp" /> At the same time, the terror initiated by IMRO culminated on 28 April when the Boatmen of Thessaloniki started their terrorist attacks in the city, of whom only Delchev knew they will happen.<ref name="nla" /> As a consequence [[martial law]] was declared in the city and many [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]] soldiers and "[[bashibozouk]]s" were concentrated in the [[Salonica Vilayet|Salonika vilayet]]. This increased tension led eventually to the tracking of Delchev's ''cheta'' and his subsequent death.<ref name="hp" /><ref>{{cite book
|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ipwMAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA123
|title=Lindensko-Preobrazhenskoto vŭstanie ot 1903 godina
|author=Khristo Angelov Khistov
|publisher=Institut za istoria (Bŭlgarska akademia na naukite)
|year=1983
|page=123
|access-date=20 November 2011}}
</ref> With his ''cheta'' he arrived in the village of [[Banitsa (ruins)|Banitsa]] on 2 May for a meeting with [[Dimo Hadži Dimov]]. Soon after, they were surrounded and a skirmish followed in which Delchev was killed on 4 May 1903, with a shot to the chest,<ref name="nla" /> by Ottoman troops led by his former schoolmate Hussein Tefikov.<ref name="bechev" /><ref>{{cite book |author=Mercia MacDermott |title=Freedom or Death: The Life of Gotsé Delchev |date=1978 |publisher=Journeyman Press |isbn=9780904526325 |pages=359–362}}</ref> A consular
source reported that the skirmish occurred after betrayal by local villager.<ref>Пейо Яворов, "Събрани съчинения", Том втори, "Гоце Делчев", Издателство "Български писател", София, 1977, стр. 69. {{in lang|bg}} In English: Peyo Yavorov, "Complete Works", Volume 2, biography '' Delchev'', Publishing house "Bulgarian writer", Sofia, 1977, p. 69.
</ref> The Ottomans sent his severed head to Salonika.<ref name="mp" /> Thus the Macedonian liberation movement lost its most important organizer and ideologist, on the eve of the [[Ilinden Uprising]].<ref name="detrez" /> He was recognized as "the most capable and most honest Komitadji" by missionaries.<ref name="kb" /> After being identified by the local authorities in [[Serres]], the bodies of Delchev and his comrade, [[Dimitar Gushtanov]], were buried in a common grave in Banitsa. Following the skirmish, more than 500 arrests were made in various districts of Serres and 1,700 households petitioned to return from [[Slavic speakers in Ottoman Macedonia#National antagonisms|Exarchist to Patriarchist jurisdiction]].<ref name="Ipek" /> Soon afterwards IMRO, aided by SMAC, organized the uprising against the [[Ottoman Empire]], which after initial successes, was defeated with many casualties.<ref>{{cite book
|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eH1MSHM1hLUC&pg=PA131
|title=A concise history of Bulgaria, Cambridge concise histories
|author=R. J. Crampton
|publisher=Cambridge University Press
|year=1997
|isbn=0521561833
|pages=131–132
|access-date=20 November 2011}}
</ref> Two of his brothers, Mitso and Milan were also killed fighting against the Ottomans as militants in the IMRO ''chetas'' of the Bulgarian [[voivoda]]s [[Hristo Chernopeev]] and [[Krastyo Asenov]] in 1901 and 1903, respectively. The Bulgarian government later granted a pension to their father Nikola, because of the contribution of his sons to the freedom of [[Macedonia (region)|Macedonia]].<ref>{{cite book |author=Mercia MacDermott |date=1978 |title=Freedom or Death: The Life of Gotse Delchev |publisher=Journeyman Press |isbn=0904526321 |page=387}}</ref> During the [[Second Balkan War]] of 1913, [[Kilkis]], which had been annexed by [[Kingdom of Bulgaria|Bulgaria]] in the [[First Balkan War]], was taken by the [[Kingdom of Greece|Greeks]]. Virtually all of its pre-war 7,000 [[Bulgarians|Bulgarian]] inhabitants, including Delchev's family, were expelled to Bulgaria by the [[Greek Army]].<ref>{{cite book
|title=Population exchange in Greek Macedonia: the rural settlement of refugees 1922–1930
|author=Elisabeth Kontogiorgi
|year=2006
|isbn=0199278962
|page=204
|publisher=Clarendon Press
}}</ref> During [[Balkan Wars]], when Bulgaria was temporarily in control of the area, Delchev's remains were transferred to [[Xanthi]], then in Bulgaria. After [[Western Thrace]] was ceded to [[Kingdom of Greece|Greece]] in 1919, the relic was brought to [[Plovdiv]] and in 1923 to [[Sofia]], where it rested until after [[World War II]].<ref>{{cite web |author=Евгений Еков |title=Гоце Делчев възкръсна с костите си 120 г. след гибелта |url=https://bgnes.bg/news/gotce-delchev-v-zkr-sna-s-kostite-si-120-g-sled-gibelta/ |website=БГНЕС |date=29 April 2023 |language=bg}}</ref> During World War II, the area was taken by the Kingdom of Bulgaria again and Delchev's grave near Banitsa was restored.<ref>{{cite web
 |author       = Ivo Dimitrov
 |url          = http://paper.standartnews.com/archive/2003/05/06/society/s3712_3.htm
 |title        = И брястът е изсъхнал край гроба на Гоце, Владимир Смеонов&nbsp;– наш пратеник в Серес
 |publisher    = Standart News
 |date         = 6 May 2003
 |access-date   = 20 November 2011
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20110829134441/http://paper.standartnews.com/archive/2003/05/06/society/s3712_3.htm
 |archive-date = 29 August 2011
 |url-status   = dead
 |language     = bg
}}</ref> In May 1943, on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of his death, a memorial plaque was set in Banitsa, in the presence of his sisters and other public figures.<ref>On the plate was this inscription: "In memory of fallen chetniks in the village of Banica on 4 May 1903 for the unification of Macedonia to the mother-country Bulgaria and to the eternal memory of the generations: Gotse Delchev from Kilkis, apostle and leader, Dimitar Gushtanov from Krushovo, Stefan Duhov from the village of Tarlis, Stoyan Zahariev from the village of Banica, Dimitar Palyankov from the village of Gorno Brodi. Their covenant was Freedom or Death." For more: Васил Станчев (2003) Четвъртата версия за убийството на Гоце Делчев, Дружество "Гоце Делчев", Стара Загора, стр. 9.</ref>

The first biographical book about Delchev was issued in 1904 by his friend and comrade in arms, the Bulgarian poet [[Peyo Yavorov]].<ref>{{cite book |author=Charles A. Moser |title=A History of Bulgarian Literature 865–1944 |publisher=Walter de Gruyter |date=2019 |isbn=3110810603 |page=139}}</ref> The most detailed biography of Delchev in English was written by English historian [[Mercia MacDermott]] called ''Freedom or Death: The Life of Gotse Delchev'', published in 1978 and translated into Bulgarian in 1979.<ref>{{cite book |author=Maria Todorova |title=Bones of Contention: The Living Archive of Vasil Levski and the Making of Bulgaria's National Hero |publisher=Central European University Press |date=2009 |isbn=9639776246 |page=77}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |editor1=John B. Allcock |editor2=Antonia Young |title=Black Lambs & Grey Falcons: Women Travellers in the Balkans |publisher=Berghahn Books |date=2000 |isbn=1571817441 |page=180}}</ref>

== Views ==
The international, [[Cosmopolitanism|cosmopolitan]] views of Delchev could be summarized in his proverbial sentence: "''I understand the world solely as a field for cultural competition among the peoples''".<ref>{{cite book |title="Събрани съчинения", Том втори, "Гоце Делчев", |publisher=Издателство "Български писател" |location=Sofia |date=1977 |page=13 |lang=bg |author=Peyo Yavorov |trans-title="Complete Works", Volume 2, biography ''Gotse Delchev'' |url=http://www.slovo.bg/showwork.php3?AuID=130&WorkID=3503&Level=2 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071015190022/http://www.slovo.bg/showwork.php3?AuID=130&WorkID=3503&Level=2|archive-date=15 October 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author=Dino Kyosev |title=Гоце Делчев: Писма и други материали |trans-title=Gotse Delchev: Letters and other materials |publisher=Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Institute of History |location=Sofia |date=1967 |page=31 |language=bg}}</ref> Per MacDermott, his saying presupposes a world without political and economic conflicts and one which has a very high degree of mutual friendship and co-operation on an international level.<ref name="ffap" /> In the late 19th century the anarchists and socialists from [[Principality of Bulgaria|Bulgaria]] linked their struggle closely with the revolutionary movements in [[Macedonia (region)|Macedonia]] and [[Thrace]].<ref>{{cite web
|author=Tusovka team
|url=http://www.savanne.ch/tusovka/en/will-firth/bulgaria.html#lessons
|title=Georgi Khadzhiev, National liberation and libertarian federalism, Sofia 1992, pp. 99–148
|publisher=Savanne.ch
|date=18 September 1903
|access-date=20 November 2011
|archive-date=18 September 2012
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120918195648/http://www.savanne.ch/tusovka/en/will-firth/bulgaria.html#lessons
|url-status=live
}}</ref> Thus, as a young cadet in [[Sofia]] Delchev became a member of a left-wing circle, where he was influenced by modern [[Marxist]] and [[Mikhail Bakunin|Bakunin]]'s ideas.<ref>{{cite book |author=Mercia MacDermott |date=1978 |title=Freedom or Death: The Life of Gotse Delchev |publisher=Journeyman Press |isbn=0-904526-32-1 |page=88}}</ref> His views were formed also under the influence of the ideas of earlier anti-Ottoman fighters as [[Vasil Levski|Levski]], [[Hristo Botev|Botev]], and [[Zahari Stoyanov|Stoyanov]],<ref name="todorova" /> who were among the founders of the [[Bulgarians|Bulgarian]] [[Internal Revolutionary Organization]], the [[Bulgarian Revolutionary Central Committee]] and the [[Bulgarian Secret Central Revolutionary Committee]], respectively. Later he participated in the Internal Organization's struggle as a well-educated leader.

According to MacDermott, based on the Bulgarian historian Konstatin Pandev, he was the co-author of [[First statute of the IMRO|BMARC's statute]], although this is disputed.<ref>"As a result of the (Salonica) Congress in 1896 a new Statute and Rules, providing for a very centralized form of organization were drawn up by Gyorché Petrov and Gotsé Delchev. The Statute and Rules were probably largely Gyorche's work, based on guidelines agreed by the Congress. He attempted to draw members of the Supreme Macedonian Committee into the task of drafting the Statute by approaching [[Andrey Lyapchev|(Andrey) Lyapchev]] and [[Dimitar Rizov|(Dimitar) Rizov]]. When, however, Lyapchev produced a first article which would have made the Organization a branch of the Supreme Committee, Gyorché gave up in despair and wrote the Statute himself, with Gotsé's assistance." For more see: Mercia MacDermott, Freedom or Death: The Life of Gotsé Delchev, p. 144.</ref><ref>"During Gotsé's lifetime, the Organization had three Statutes: the first was drawn up by Damé Gruev in 1894, the second by Gyorché Petrov, with some help from Gotsé, after the Salonika Congress in 1896, and the third by Gotsé in 1902 (this was an amended version of the second). Two of these Statutes have come down to us: one entitled 'The Statute of the Bulgarian Macedonian-Adrianople Committees' (BMARC) and the other - 'The Statute of the Secret Macedonian-Adrianople Revolutionary Organization' (SMARO). Neither, however, is dated, and it was long assumed that the Statute of the Secret Macedonian-Adrianople Revolutionary Organization was the one adopted after the Salonika Congress of 1896." For more see: Mercia MacDermott, Freedom or Death: The Life of Gotsé Delchev, p. 157.</ref><ref name="nla"/> Delchev initiated the changing of the exclusively Bulgarian character of the organization, which determined that members of the organization could be only [[Bulgarians]]. Accordingly, a new [[Supranationalism|supra-nationalistic]] statute was created by him and Petrov in 1896 or 1902, with whom under a new name the ''Secret Macedono-Adrianopolitan Revolutionary Organization'' (SMARO), was to become an insurgent organization, open to all [[Macedonia (region)|Macedonians]] and [[Thrace|Thracians]] regardless of nationality, who wished to participate in the movement for their autonomy.<ref name="nla"/><ref name="Banac"/> This aim was especially facilitated by the unrealized 23rd. article of the  [[Treaty of Berlin (1878)]], which promised future autonomy for unspecified territories in [[Rumelia|European Turkey]], settled with [[Christians|Christian]] population.<ref>{{cite book
|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3fYuy5iUi_sC&pg=PA39
|title=Defeat in detail: the Ottoman Army in the Balkans, 1912–1913
|author=Edward J. Erickson
|year=2003
|isbn=0275978885
|pages=39–43
|publisher= Greenwood Publishing Group
|access-date=20 November 2011}}
</ref> Delchev's main goal, along with the other revolutionaries, was the implementation of Article 23 of the treaty, aimed at acquiring full [[Autonomy for Macedonia and Adrianople regions|autonomy of Macedonia and the Adrianople]].<ref>{{cite book |author=Dmitar Tasić |title=Paramilitarism in the Balkans: Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, and Albania, 1917-1924 |date=2020 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=9780198858324 |page=163}}</ref> Delchev is considered to be the leader of the leftist faction within IMRO, which firmly opposed the inclusion of Macedonia into Bulgaria, and sought the autonomy to evolve in independence for Macedonia, with her subsequent incorporation into a envisioned [[Balkan Federation]].<ref>{{cite book |author=Dennis P. Hupchick |title=Conflict and Chaos in Eastern Europe |date=1995 |publisher=Macmillan |isbn=9780312121167 |page=131}}</ref><ref name="Tunçay"/> Despite his Bulgarian loyalty, he was against any chauvinistic propaganda and nationalist disputes over Macedonia and the Adrianople.<ref name="Banac" /><ref>{{cite book
|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6RveDmHbIv8C&pg=PA135
|title=Region, Regional Identity and Regionalism in Southeastern Europe, Ethnologia Balkanica
|author1=Klaus Roth |author2=Ulf Brunnbauer |publisher=LIT Verlag
|location=Münster
|year=2009
|isbn=978-3825813871
|pages=135–136
|access-date=20 November 2011}}
</ref> On the other hand, per Bulgarian academic sources and some of his contemporaries, Delchev supported Macedonia's eventual incorporation into Bulgaria.<ref>Yordan Badev recalls in his memoirs that Gotse Delchev, Boris Sarafov, Efrem Chuchkov, and Boris Drangov had organized a group of Bulgarians born in Macedonia to propagate for the future unification of Macedonia and Bulgaria among the cadets of the military school in Sofia. For more see: Katrin Bozeva-Abazi, The Shaping of Bulgarian and Serbian National Identities, 1800s-1900s, thesis, McGill University Department of History, 2003, p. 189; [[Kosta Tsipushev]] recalls how, when he and some friends asked Gotsé why they were fighting for the autonomy of Macedonia and Thrace instead of their liberation and reunification with the motherland, he replied: ''Comrades, can't you see that we are now the slaves not of the Turkish state, which is in the process of disintegration, but of the Great Powers in Europe, before whom Turkey signed her total capitulation in Berlin. That is why we have to struggle for the autonomy of Macedonia and Thrace, in order to preserve them in their entirety, as a stage towards their reunification with our common Bulgarian fatherland...'' For more see:  (MacDermott 1978:322); [[Pavlos Kyrou]] (Pavel Kirov) from [[Zhelevo]] claims in his memoirs that once, when Delchev came from Bulgaria, he met him in [[Konomladi]]. Delchev insisted there that Greek priests and schoolmasters are obstacles. He maintained also that all the local [[Slavic speakers in Ottoman Macedonia|Slavophones]] are Bulgarians and they must work for Bulgarian cause, because its army will come and help them to throw off the Turkish yoke. For more see: Allen Upward, The East End of Europe, 1908: The Report of an Unofficial Mission to the European Provinces of Turkey on the Eve of the Revolution (Classic Reprint), BiblioBazaar, 2015, {{ISBN|1340987104}}, p. 326; In the memories of [[Andon Kyoseto]], it is alleged that Delchev explained him that SMARO cannot win full freedom for Macedonia, but it will fight at least for autonomy. The ultimate goal of the Organization, according to Delchev, is a secrecy, but one day, sooner or later, Macedonia will unite itself with Bulgaria, and Greece and Serbia should not doubt in that. For more see: Б. Мирчев, Из спомените на Андон Лазов - Кьосето, сп. Родина, г. VІ, бр. 1, октомври 1931, стр. 12-14.; On 12 January 1903 his fellow [[Peyo Yavorov]] recorded one of Delchev's last messages in his shorthand notes, when they crossеd the misty border of Bulgaria to the Ottoman Empire entering Macedonia, namely: "I pointed out the misty area on Delchev, who was close to me and I said: Look, Macedonia welcomes us mourning!" But he answered: “We will tear away this veil and the sun of freedom will arise, but it will be a Bulgarian sun”. For more see: Милкана Бошнакова, Личните бележници на П. К. Яворов, Издателство: Захарий Стоянов, {{ISBN|9789540901374}}, 2008.</ref><ref>''Идеята за автономия като тактика в програмите на национално-освободителното движение в Македония и Одринско (1893–1941), Димитър Гоцев, 1983, Изд. на Българска Академия на Науките, София, 1983, c. 17.; in English: The idea for autonomy as a tactics in the programs of the National Liberation movements in Macedonia and Adrianople regions 1893–1941", Sofia, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Dimitar v, 1983, p. 17.'' (55. ЦПА, ф. 226); срв. К. Ципушев. 19 години в сръбските затвори,  СУ Св. Климент Охридски, 2004, {{ISBN|954-91083-5-X}} стр. 31–32.  in English: Kosta Tsipushev, 19 years in Serbian prisons, Sofia University publishing house, 2004, {{ISBN|954-91083-5-X}}, p. 31-32.
</ref><ref>Гоце Делчев. Писма и други материали, Дино Кьосев, Биографичен очерк, стр. 33.
</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.history.swu.bg/PDF/13-2.pdf |title=Review of Chairs of History at Law and History Faculty of South-West University -Blagoevgrad, vol. 2/2005, Културното единство на българския народ в контекста на фирософията на Гоце Делчев, автор Румяна Модева, стр. 2. |access-date=2 September 2009 |archive-date=25 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425054437/http://www.history.swu.bg/PDF/13-2.pdf |url-status=live |language=bg}}</ref> Per [[Anastasia Karakasidou]], Delchev and others with same ideas like him often left the links between an independent Macedonia and neighboring Bulgaria ill-defined.<ref name="karakasidou"/> For militants such as Delchev and other leftists that participated in the national movement retaining a political outlook, national liberation meant ''"radical political liberation through shaking off the social shackles"''.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.okde.org/keimena/vag_kout_balkan_inter_0603_en.htm
|title=Internationalism as an alternative political strategy in the modern history of Balkans by Vangelis Koutalis, Greek Social Forum, Thessaloniki, June 2003
|publisher=Okde.org
|date=25 October 2002
|access-date=20 November 2011
|archive-date=29 October 2019
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191029140147/http://www.okde.org/keimena/vag_kout_balkan_inter_0603_en.htm
|url-status=dead
}}</ref> According to researcher James Horncastle, he believed that [[revolutionary terror]] was necessary to create an autonomous Macedonia.<ref>{{cite book |author=James Horncastle |title=The Macedonian Slavs in the Greek Civil War, 1944–1949 |date=2019 |publisher=Lexington Books |isbn=9781498585057 |page=30}}</ref> Per Delchev, no outside force could or would help the Organization and it ought to rely only upon itself and only upon its own will and strength. He thought that any intervention by Bulgaria would provoke intervention by the neighboring states as well and could result in Macedonia and Thrace being torn apart. That is why the peoples of these two regions had to win their own freedom and independence, within the frontiers of an autonomous Macedonian-Adrianople state.<ref>{{cite book |quote=In a conversation in 1900, with Lozengrad comrades, he was asked whether, in the event of a rising, the Organization should count on help from the Bulgarian Principality, and whether it would not be wiser at the outset to proclaim the union of Macedonia and Thrace with the Principality. Gotse replied: "We have to work courageously, organizing and arming ourselves well enough to take the burden of the struggle upon our own shoulders, without counting on outside help. External intervention is not desirable from the point of view of our cause. Our aim, our ideal is autonomy for Macedonia and the Adrianople region, and we must also bring into the struggle the other peoples who live in these two provinces as well... We, the Bulgarians of Macedonia and Adrianople, must not lose sight of the fact that there are other nationalities and states who are vitally interested in the solution of this question. Приноси към историята на въстаническото движение в Одринско (1895–1903), т. IV, Бургас – 1941. |author=Mercia MacDermott |title=Freedom or Death: The Life of Gotsé Delchev |date=1978 |publisher=Journeyman Press |isbn=9780904526325 |page=232}}</ref>

== Legacy ==
=== Communist period ===
{{See also|Historiography in North Macedonia}}
[[File:Sending the remains of Goce Delchev from Sofia to Macedonia.jpg|thumb|right|The moving of the remains of Delchev from Sofia to Skopje in October 1946.<ref>{{cite book |quote=In a failed effort to placate Tito, Josef Stalin pressured Bulgarian Communists in 1946 to relinquish Delchev's bones and allow him to be reburied in the courtyard of the Orthodox Church of Sveti Spas in Skopje, Macedonia. |author=P. H. Liotta |title=Dismembering the State: The Death of Yugoslavia and why it Matters |publisher=Lexington Books |date=2001 |isbn=0739102125 |page=292}}</ref> The translation of the Bulgarian caption is given in a note.<ref group="note">"''Last week the remains of the great Macedonian revolutionary Gotse Delchev were sent from Sofia to Macedonia, and from now on they will rest in Skopje, the capital of the country for which he gave his life''."</ref>]]

During [[World War II]], the [[Macedonian Partisans|Macedonian communist partisans]] associated [[World War II in Yugoslav Macedonia|their struggle]] with the ideals of Delchev and IMRO. The culmination of the struggle was the establishment of the [[Socialist Republic of Macedonia]] in 1944.<ref>{{cite book |author1=Roumen Dontchev Daskalov |author2=Tchavdar Marinov |title=Entangled Histories of the Balkans - Volume One: National Ideologies and Language Policies |date=2013 |publisher=BRILL |isbn=9789004250765 |page=328}}</ref><ref name="dawisha&parrott">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bNvbHCUs3tUC&pg=PA229 |title=Politics, power, and the struggle for democracy in South-East Europe, Volume 2 of Authoritarianism and Democratization and authoritarianism in postcommunist societies, pp. 229–230 |isbn=0521597331 |access-date=20 November 2011|last1=Dawisha |first1=Karen |last2=Parrott |first2=Bruce |date=13 June 1997|publisher=Cambridge University Press}}</ref> In late 1944, new communist regimes came into power in [[Bulgaria]] and [[Yugoslavia]] and their policy on the [[Macedonian Question]] was committed to the supporting of a distinct Macedonian nationality.<ref name="dawisha&parrott" /><ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hafLHZgZtt4C&pg=PA808 |title=Europe since 1945. Encyclopedia |author=Bernard Anthony Cook |isbn=978-0815340584 |page=808 |date=21 April 2009 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |access-date=20 November 2011}}</ref> The region of [[Macedonia (region)|Macedonia]] was proclaimed as the connecting link for the establishment of a future [[Balkan Communist Federation]]. 

The newly formed Socialist Republic of Macedonia was integrated into the [[Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia]], and was characterized as the natural result of Delchev's aspirations for autonomous Macedonia.<ref name="lampe&mazower">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gE1c4wK-ASAC&pg=PA110 |title=Ideologies and national identities: the case of twentieth-century Southeastern Europe, John R. Lampe, Mark Mazower, Central European University Press, 2004 |pages=112–115 |isbn=9639241822 |access-date=20 November 2011|last1=Lampe |first1=John |last2=Mazower |first2=Mark |date=January 2004|publisher=Central European University Press }}</ref> Initially some of the Macedonian communist leaders, such as [[Lazar Koliševski]],  questioned the extent of Delchev's alleged Macedonian national consciousness.<ref name="Heraclides"/><ref>Мичев. Д. Македонският въпрос и българо-югославските отношения&nbsp;– 9 септември 1944–1949, Издателство: СУ Св. Кл. Охридски, 1992, стр. 91.</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Последното интервју на Мише Карев: Колишевски и Страхил Гигов сакале да ги прогласат Гоце, Даме и Никола за Бугари! |url=https://denesen.mk/poslednoto-intervju-na-mishe-karev-kolishevski-i-strahil-gigov-sakale-da-gi-proglasat-goce-dame-i-nikola-za-bugari/ |website=Денешен весник |date=1 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190730172103/https://denesen.mk/poslednoto-intervju-na-mishe-karev-kolishevski-i-strahil-gigov-sakale-da-gi-proglasat-goce-dame-i-nikola-za-bugari/ |archive-date=30 July 2019}}</ref> In 1946, communist activist [[Vasil Ivanovski]] acknowledged that Delchev did not have a clear view of a "Macedonian national character", but stated that his struggle made the free and autonomous Macedonia a possibility.<ref name="Heraclides" /> On 7 October 1946, with the approval of the Bulgarian government, by the initiative of [[Todor Pavlov]],<ref>{{cite book |author=Maria Todorova |title=Bones of Contention: The Living Archive of Vasil Levski and the Making of Bulgaria's National Hero |publisher=Central European University Press |date=2009 |isbn=9639776246 |page=79 |quote=In 1946, Todor Pavlov in the journal ''Makedonska misîl'' wrote about Gotse Delchev: "By the way, we cannot be unjust to the memory of the great Macedonian son and therefore, we must note precisely here that Gotse had written in one of his letters: ‘So is there no-one to write even one book in Macedonian?’ This exclamation of Gotse’s shows that if he had remained alive he would in no case have remained indifferent to the fact that today in Macedonia there is a volume of books, and not only poetic and publicistic ones, written in this very [[Macedonian language]] which has been formed to a significant degree and is continuously being improved upon and perfected exactly as a new [[standard Macedonian|Macedonian literary language]].}}</ref> as a gesture of goodwill and as part of the policy to foster the development of Macedonian national consciousness, Delchev's remains were transported from Sofia to [[Skopje]].<ref name="liotta">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=h_LBmnBl99QC&pg=PA292 |title=Dismembering the state: the death of Yugoslavia and why it matters |author=P. H. Liotta |year=2001 |isbn=0739102125 |page=292 |publisher=Lexington Books |access-date=20 November 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZmesOn_HhfEC&pg=PA68 |title=The Macedonian conflict: ethnic nationalism in a transnational world |author=Loring M. Danforth |publisher=Princeton University Press |year=1997 |isbn=0691043566 |page=68 |access-date=20 November 2011}}</ref> On 10 October, the bones were enshrined in a marble sarcophagus in the yard of the church [[Church of the Holy Salvation, Skopje|"Sveti Spas"]], where they have stayed since.<ref name="liotta" />

After realizing that the Balkan collective memory had already marked the heroes of the Macedonian revolutionary movement as Bulgarians, Macedonian communist authorities considered this unjustified and exerted efforts to reclaim Delchev for the Macedonian national cause.<ref>{{cite book |author=Dimitris Livanios, Dimitris |title=The Macedonian Question: Britain and the Southern Balkans 1939–1949 |publisher=Oxford University Press US |date=2008 |isbn=0199237689 |page=202}}</ref> As a result, Delchev was declared an ethnic Macedonian hero and a symbol of the republic. His name is referred to in the Macedonian anthem - ''[[Denes nad Makedonija|Today over Macedonia]]''.<ref>{{cite book |author=Pål Kolstø |title=Strategies of Symbolic Nation-building in South Eastern Europe |date=2016 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=9781317049364 |page=187}}</ref> The town of [[Delčevo]] was named after him in 1950.<ref name="bechev" /> Alongside [[Yane Sandanski]], they became the most praised revolutionary national heroes, honored with publications and monuments. They were also portrayed as fighters against the pro-Bulgarian assimilative right-wing factions, namely the [[Supreme Macedonian Committee]].<ref name="lampe&mazower"/><ref>{{cite book |title=From recognition to repudiation: Bulgarian attitudes on the Macedonian question, articles, speeches, documents |author=Vanǵa Čašule |publisher=Kultura |date=1972 |page=96}}</ref> Macedonian school textbooks began even to hint at [[Bulgarians|Bulgarian]] complicity in Delchev's death.<ref name="hp" /> The [[economic historian]] Michael Palairet considers plausible that Delchev was betrayed by SMAC's members with the help of Garvanov, as  Macedonian historians have asserted, but a diplomatic source reported that he was betrayed by a local peasant.<ref>{{cite book |author1=Michael Palairet |title=Macedonia: A Voyage through History (Vol. 2, From the Fifteenth Century to the Present) |date=2016 |publisher=Cambridge Scholars Publishing |isbn=9781443888493 |page=145}}</ref> Aiming to enforce the belief that Delchev was an ethnic [[Macedonians (ethnic group)|Macedonian]], all documents written by him in standard [[Bulgarian language|Bulgarian]] were translated into standard [[Macedonian language|Macedonian]] and presented as originals.<ref>{{cite book |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=P-1m1FLtrvsC&pg=PA95 |chapter=Ethnic Identity: The Case of Macedonian Immigrants in Toronto, 1900–1996 |title=Nationalisms Across the Globe |author=Chris Kostov |publisher=Peter Lang |year=2010 |isbn=978-3034301961 |page=95}}</ref> The claims on Delchev's Bulgarian self-identification thus were portrayed as a recent Bulgarian chauvinist attitude of long provenance.<ref name="lampe&mazower" /><ref>{{cite book |title=The historiography of Yugoslavia, 1965-1976 |author=Dragoslav Janković |publisher=The Association of Yugoslav Historical Societies |date=1976 |pages=307–310}}</ref> 

In the [[People's Republic of Bulgaria]], before the late 1950s, Delchev was given mostly regional recognition in [[Pirin Macedonia]] and the town [[Gotse Delchev (town)|Gotse Delchev]] was named after him in 1950.<ref name="lampe&mazower" /><ref name="bechev" /> However, afterwards Bulgaria returned to its old policy and started vigorously [[Macedonism|denying the existence of a Macedonian nation]].<ref name="lampe&mazower"/> Accordingly, orders from the highest political level of the [[Bulgarian Communist Party]] were given to reincorporate the Macedonian revolutionary movement as part of the Bulgarian historiography and to prove the Bulgarian credentials of its historical leaders.<ref name="Heraclides"/><ref name="lampe&mazower"/>  Since 1960, there have been long unproductive debates between the ruling Communist parties in Bulgaria and [[SFR Yugoslavia]] about the ethnic affiliation of Delchev. Nonetheless, the Bulgarian side made in 1978 for the first time the proposal that some historical personalities (e.g. Delchev) could be regarded as belonging to the shared historical heritage of the two peoples, but that proposal did not appeal to the [[SFR Yugoslavia|Yugoslavs]].<ref>Yugoslav&nbsp;— Bulgarian Relations from 1955 to 1980 by Evangelos Kofos from J. Koliopoulos and J. Hassiotis (editors), Modern and Contemporary Macedonia: History, Economy, Society, Culture, vol. 2, (Athens-Thessaloniki, 1992), pp. 277–280.</ref>

=== Post-communism ===
{{See also|Bulgaria–North Macedonia relations}}
Delchev is regarded in [[Bulgaria]] and [[North Macedonia]] as a national hero.<ref>{{cite book
|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xM2Q_l4CfNAC&pg=PA238
|title=Balkan identities: nation and memory
|author=Mariana Nikolaeva Todorova
|year=2004
|isbn=1850657157
|page=238
|publisher=C. Hurst & Co.
|access-date=20 November 2011}}
</ref><ref>{{cite web |quote=One of IMRO's leaders, Gotsé Delchev, whose nom de guerre was Ahil (Achilles), is regarded by both Macedonians and Bulgarians as a national hero. He seems to have identified himself as a Bulgarian and to have regarded the Slavs of Macedonia as Bulgarians. |website=Encyclopædia Britannica online |url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/354223/Macedonia/42800/The-Ottoman-Empire |title=North Macedonia, section: History, subsection: The independence movement. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131003135502/http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/354223/Macedonia/42800/The-Ottoman-Empire |archive-date=3 October 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |quote=A more modern national hero is Gotse Delchev, leader of the turn-of-the-century Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization (IMRO), which was actually a largely pro-Bulgarian organization but is claimed as the founding Macedonian national movement. |author=Stuart J. Kaufman |title=Modern Hatreds: The Symbolic Politics of Ethnic War |publisher=Cornell University Press |date=2001 |isbn=0801487366 |page=193}}</ref> His ethnic identity has continued to be disputed in North Macedonia, serving as a point of contention with Bulgaria.<ref>{{cite book |quote=The Bulgarian historians, such as Veselin Angelov, Nikola Achkov and Kosta Tzarnushanov continue to publish their research backed with many primary sources to prove that the term 'Macedonian' when applied to Slavs has always meant only a regional identity of the Bulgarians. |title=Contested Ethnic Identity: The Case of Macedonian Immigrants in Toronto, 1900-1996 |author=Chris Kostov |publisher=Peter Lang |date=2010 |isbn=3034301960 |page=112}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author1=Martin Dimitrov |author2=Sinisa Jakov Marusic |title=Long-Dead Hero's Memory Tests Bulgarian-North Macedonia’s Reconciliation |url=https://balkaninsight.com/2019/06/25/long-dead-heros-memory-tests-bulgarian-north-macedonian-reconciliation/ |website=Balkan Insight |date=25 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190627155027/https://balkaninsight.com/2019/06/25/long-dead-heros-memory-tests-bulgarian-north-macedonian-reconciliation/ |archive-date=27 June 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Sinisa Jakov Marusic, Bulgaria Sets Tough Terms for North Macedonia's EU Progress Skopje |url=https://balkaninsight.com/2019/10/10/bulgaria-sets-tough-terms-for-north-macedonias-eu-progress/ |website=Balkan Insight |date=10 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191211184245/https://balkaninsight.com/2019/10/10/bulgaria-sets-tough-terms-for-north-macedonias-eu-progress/ |archive-date=11 December 2019}}</ref> Some attempts were made for the joint celebration of Delchev between both countries.<ref>{{cite web |title=Македонски историци не искали да празнуваме заедно Илинден, съобщава А1. |url=https://www.vesti.bg/novini/evropejskite-primeri-za-obshto-chestvane-na-istoricheski-dati-se-osnovavat-na-pismeno-izvinenie-ot-onezi-koito-sa-prichinili-zlo-komentira-televiziiata-898002 |date=6 June 2006 |website=Vesti.bg |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230211194903/https://www.vesti.bg/novini/evropejskite-primeri-za-obshto-chestvane-na-istoricheski-dati-se-osnovavat-na-pismeno-izvinenie-ot-onezi-koito-sa-prichinili-zlo-komentira-televiziiata-898002 |archive-date=11 February 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Stoimen Pavlov |title=Overcast skies in relations with North Macedonia. Or? |url=https://bnr.bg/en/post/101137212 |website=Bnr.bg |date=26 June 2019 |access-date=12 February 2023 |archive-date=11 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230211231858/https://bnr.bg/en/post/101137212 |url-status=live}}</ref> Bulgarian diplomats were also attacked when honoring Delchev by Macedonian nationalists in 2012.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bulgarian Ambassador in Macedonia Attacked by Nationalist 'Hooligans' |url=https://www.novinite.com/articles/139051/Bulgarian+Ambassador+in+Macedonia+Attacked+by+Nationalist+%27Hooligans%27 |website=Novinite.com |date=4 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230211200039/https://www.novinite.com/articles/139051/Bulgarian+Ambassador+in+Macedonia+Attacked+by+Nationalist+%27Hooligans%27 |archive-date=11 February 2023}}</ref> On 2 August 2017, the [[Prime Minister of Bulgaria|Bulgarian Prime Minister]] [[Boyko Borisov]] and his [[Prime Minister of Macedonia|Macedonian]] colleague [[Zoran Zaev]] placed wreaths at the grave of Delchev on the occasion of the 114th anniversary of the [[Ilinden–Preobrazhenie Uprising|Ilinden Uprising]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Bulgaria and North Macedonia mark two years of the Neighbourhood Treaty |url=https://bnt.bg/news/bulgaria-and-north-macedonia-mark-two-years-of-the-neighbourhood-treaty-236024news.html |website=Bulgarian National Television (BNT) |access-date=9 February 2023 |archive-date=10 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230210161316/https://bnt.bg/news/bulgaria-and-north-macedonia-mark-two-years-of-the-neighbourhood-treaty-236024news.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Zaev expressed an interest to negotiate about Delchev.<ref>{{cite web |title=Revolutionary hero's identity stands in the way of Skopje's EU path |url=https://www.euractiv.com/section/enlargement/news/revolutionary-heros-identity-stands-in-the-way-of-skopjes-eu-path/ |website=Euractiv |publisher=Euractiv Bulgaria |date=11 September 2020 |access-date=12 February 2023 |archive-date=12 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230212221431/https://www.euractiv.com/section/enlargement/news/revolutionary-heros-identity-stands-in-the-way-of-skopjes-eu-path/ |url-status=live}}</ref> A joint commission on historical issues was also formed in 2018 to resolve controversial historical readings, including the dispute about Delchev's ethnic identity, which has been unresolved.<ref>{{cite web |title=My Story, Your Story, History |author=Boyko Vassilev. |url=https://www.tol.org/client/article/28458-my-story-your-story-history.html?print |date=25 June 2019 |website=Transitions Online |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626061928/https://www.tol.org/client/article/28458-my-story-your-story-history.html%3Fprint |archive-date=26 June 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Член на историческата комисия от Северна Македония: Единственото сигурно е че ще се умре, но не и дали ще се намери решение за Гоце Делчев до октомври |url=http://www.focus-news.net/news/2019/08/02/2686133/chlen-na-istoricheskata-komisiya-ot-makedoniya-edinstvenoto-zadalzhitelno-e-da-se-umre-no-ne-i-da-se-nameri-reshenie-za-gotse-delchev-do-oktomvri.html |date=August 2019 |website=Fokus |language=bg |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190802053111/http://www.focus-news.net/news/2019/08/02/2686133/chlen-na-istoricheskata-komisiya-ot-makedoniya-edinstvenoto-zadalzhitelno-e-da-se-umre-no-ne-i-da-se-nameri-reshenie-za-gotse-delchev-do-oktomvri.html |archive-date=2 August 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Borissov warns North Macedonia against stealing Bulgarian history |author=Georgi Gotev |url=https://www.euractiv.com/section/enlargement/news/borissov-warns-north-macedonia-against-stealing-bulgarian-history/ |website=EURACTIV.com. |date=20 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117123614/https://www.euractiv.com/section/enlargement/news/borissov-warns-north-macedonia-against-stealing-bulgarian-history/ |archive-date=17 November 2020}}</ref> On 9 October 2019, the Bulgarian government issued its "Framework Position" on the enlargement of the European Union for North Macedonia and Albania, including a condition for the joint historical commission to reach an agreement about Delchev.<ref>{{cite book |editor1=Andrea Gawrich |editor2=Peter Haslinger |editor3=Monika Wingender |title=Analysing conflict settings: Case studies from Eastern Europe with a focus on Ukraine |date=2022 |publisher=Harrassowitz Verlag |isbn=978-3-447-11771-5 |page=227 |url=https://www.harrassowitz-verlag.de/isbn_978-3-447-11771-5.ahtml}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Рамкова позиция относно разширяване на ЕС и процеса на стабилизиране и асоцииране: Република Северна Македония и Албания |url=https://www.gov.bg/bg/prestsentar/novini/ramkova-pozitsia |language=bg |date=9 October 2019 |website=Министерски Съвет на Република България}}</ref> The Association of Historians in North Macedonia came out against the calls for a joint celebration of Delchev, seeing them as a threat to Macedonian national identity.<ref>{{cite web |author=Goran Simonovski |title=Дали Гоце Делчев треба заеднички да се чествува со Бугарија? |url=https://sitel.com.mk/dali-goce-delchev-treba-zaednichki-da-se-chestvuva-so-bugarija |website=Sitel |language=mk |date=15 September 2022 |access-date=12 February 2023 |archive-date=12 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230212225248/https://sitel.com.mk/dali-goce-delchev-treba-zaednichki-da-se-chestvuva-so-bugarija |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Association of Historians: The joint commemoration of Goce Delchev is a fatal blow to the Macedonian identity |url=https://www.slobodenpecat.mk/en/zdruzhenie-na-istoricharite-zaednichkoto-chestvuvanje-na-goce-delchev-e-fatalen-udar-vrz-makedonskata-samobitnost/ |website=Sloboden Pecat |date=2022}}</ref> Per Macedonian historian [[Dragi Gjorgiev]], the myth of Delchev is so significant among ethnic Macedonians that it is more important than documents, books, and pieces written by historians.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ѓоргиев: Гоце Делчев гине за Македонија и од тој аспект не може да го одвоите од македонскиот народ |url=https://lokalno.mk/gorgiev-gotse-delchev-gine-za-makedonija-i-od-toj-aspekt-ne-mozhe-da-go-odvoite-od-makedonskiot-narod/ |website=Локално |date=30 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200528055632/https://lokalno.mk/gorgiev-gotse-delchev-gine-za-makedonija-i-od-toj-aspekt-ne-mozhe-da-go-odvoite-od-makedonskiot-narod/ |archive-date=28 May 2020 |language=mk}}</ref> Macedonian philosopher [[Katerina Kolozova]] opined that Bulgaria should not negotiate regarding his self-identification, seeing him as important for the national myths of Bulgaria and North Macedonia.<ref>{{cite web |title=Бугарско – македонскиот договор за добрососедство и неговите ефекти врз европското проширување |url=https://civilmedia.mk/bugarsko-makedonskiot-dogovor-za-dobrososedstvo-i-negovite-efekti-vrz-evropskoto-proshiruvane/ |date=30 October 2020 |website=Civilmedia.mk. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220131171315/https://civilmedia.mk/bugarsko-makedonskiot-dogovor-za-dobrososedstvo-i-negovite-efekti-vrz-evropskoto-proshiruvane/ |archive-date=31 January 2022}}</ref> Per anthropologist Keith Brown and political scientist [[Alexis Heraclides]], the identity of Delchev and other IMRO figures is "open to different interpretations",<ref>{{cite book |title=The Macedonian Question and The Macedonians |author=[[Alexis Heraclides]] |publisher=Taylor & Francis |year=2021 |page=39 |quote=As Keith Brown points out, 'for leaders like Goce Delčev, Pitu Guli, Damjan Gruev, and Jane Sandanski - the four national heroes named in the anthem of the modern Republic of Macedonia - the written record of what they believed about their own identity is open to different interpretations. The views and self-perceptions of their followers and allies were even less conclusive.'}}</ref> that are incompatible with the views of modern Balkan nationalisms.<ref>{{cite web |title=The importance of ‘unlearning’ the past: Interview with Balkans expert Keith Brown |url=https://globalvoices.org/2020/10/28/the-importance-of-unlearning-the-past-interview-with-balkans-expert-keith-brown/ |website=Global Voices |date=28 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230124051105/https://globalvoices.org/2020/10/28/the-importance-of-unlearning-the-past-interview-with-balkans-expert-keith-brown/ |archive-date=24 January 2023 }}</ref> According to historian James Frusetta,  during the time of the People's Republic of Bulgaria and [[SR Macedonia]], the vague [[left populism]] and [[anarcho-socialism]] espoused by Delchev were transformed into overt socialism.<ref>''National heroes were called upon to serve as symbols for the new socialist ideologies—assuming their actions could be reconciled as being properly progressive in nature. The vague populism or anarchism espoused by such IMRO leaders as Gotse Delchev and Yane Sandanski was transformed into overt socialism, of the sort ascribed to them in both Document 1 and Document 2.9 The Macedonian revolutionary movement as a whole was characterized as a mass-based national liberation movement fighting foreign oppression. As such, it served as a precursor to the movements that established the People’s Republic of Bulgaria and the Yugoslav Socialist Republic of Macedonia. In this common approach, the revolutionary nature of IMRO and its struggle against backward, regressive Ottoman rule was tied to the later, pro-socialist left wing of IMRO in the 1920s and its opposition to the repressive monarchist regimes of the period. Both, in turn, were tied to more recent struggles against fascism, against the former “bourgeois” regimes of both states, and against the new, postwar threat of American imperialism.''<p>
''For more see: Frusetta, James. Common Heroes, Divided Claims: IMRO Between Macedonia and Bulgaria. Ideologies and National Identities, p. 110-130. In: Lampe, John, et Mark Mazower, Ideologies and National Identities. Central European University Press, 2006, https://books.openedition.org/ceup/2424.''</p></ref>

Per journalist [[Reuben H. Markham]], Bulgarian Macedonians have regarded him as the greatest revolutionary leader.<ref>{{cite book
|title=Tito's Imperial Communism
|author=R. H. Markham
|year=2005
|isbn=1419162063
|pages=222–223
|publisher=Kessinger Publishing
}}</ref> His memory has been traditionally honored by Bulgarian Macedonians.<ref>{{cite book |title=Collective Memory, National Identity, and Ethnic Conflict: Greece, Bulgaria, and the Macedonian Question |isbn=9780275976484 |publisher=Bloomsbury Academic |date=2002 |author=Victor Roudometof |page=54}}</ref> There are two peaks named after Delchev: ''Gotsev Vrah'', the summit of [[Slavyanka (mountain)|Slavyanka Mountain]], and ''Delchev Vrah'' or [[Delchev Peak]] on [[Livingston Island]], [[South Shetland Islands]] in [[Antarctica]], which was named after him by the scientists from the Bulgarian Antarctic Expedition. The [[Goce Delčev University of Štip]] in North Macedonia carries his name too.<ref>{{cite book |editor1-last=Raţă |editor1-first=Georgeta |title=Language Education Today: Between Theory and Practice |date=2009 |publisher=Cambridge Scholars Publishing |isbn=9781443817974 |page=224}}</ref> Many artifacts related to Delchev's activity are stored in different museums across Bulgaria and North Macedonia. During the time of [[SFR Yugoslavia]], a street in Belgrade was named after Delchev. In 2015, Serbian nationalists covered the signs with the street's name and affixed new ones with the name of the [[Chetnik]] activist [[Kosta Pećanac]]. They claimed that Delchev was a Bulgarian and his name has no place there.<ref>{{cite web |title=Улица Војводе Косте Пећанца |url=https://akcija.org/ulica-vojvode-koste-pecanca/ |date=22 July 2015 |website=Србска Акција |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511191912/https://akcija.org/ulica-vojvode-koste-pecanca/ |archive-date=11 May 2021}}</ref> In 2016 the street's name was changed officially by the municipal authorities to "[[Fyodor Tolbukhin|Maršal Tolbuhin]]". Their motivation was that Delchev was not an [[ethnic Macedonian]] revolutionary, but a leader of an anti-Serbian organization with a pro-Bulgarian orientation.<ref>{{cite web |title=Марија Бракочевић, Гоце Делчев – херој или антисрпски идеолог |url=http://www.politika.rs/scc/clanak/354928/Drustvo/Goce-Delcev-heroj-ili-antisccpski-ideolog |website=Политика Online |date=14 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190617103908/http://www.politika.rs/scc/clanak/354928/Drustvo/Goce-Delcev-heroj-ili-antisccpski-ideolog |archive-date=17 June 2019 |language=sr}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Белград смени "Гоце Делчев" с "Маршал Толбухин" |url=https://www.dnes.bg/world/2016/05/16/belgrad-smeni-goce-delchev-s-marshal-tolbuhin.302543 |website=Dnes.bg |date=16 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202192128/https://www.dnes.bg/world/2016/05/16/belgrad-smeni-goce-delchev-s-marshal-tolbuhin.302543 |archive-date=2 December 2022}}</ref> In [[Greece]] the official appeals from the Bulgarian side to the authorities to install a memorial plaque on his place of death are not answered. The memorial plaques set periodically by [[Bulgarians]] afterwards have been removed. Bulgarian tourists have been restrained occasionally from visiting the place.<ref>{{cite web |author=Виктория Миндова |title=Паметникът на Гоце Делчев в Серес пропадна в процедурен вакум |url=http://grreporter.info/Pametnikt_na_Goce_Delchev_v_Seres_propadna_v_proceduren_vakum/13624 |website=GR Reporter |date=21 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180508185819/http://grreporter.info/Pametnikt_na_Goce_Delchev_v_Seres_propadna_v_proceduren_vakum/13624 |archive-date=8 May 2018 |language=bg}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Мария Цветкова: Това, че не бяхме допуснати до паметната плоча на Гоце Делчев, беше демонстрация на антибългарско отношение |url=http://focus-news.net/opinion/2014/05/04/28264/mariya-tsvetkova-tova-che-ne-byahme-dopusnati-do-pametnata-plocha-na-gotse-delchev-beshe-demonstratsiya-na-antibalgarsko-otnoshenie.html |website=Fokus |date=4 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180508185502/http://focus-news.net/opinion/2014/05/04/28264/mariya-tsvetkova-tova-che-ne-byahme-dopusnati-do-pametnata-plocha-na-gotse-delchev-beshe-demonstratsiya-na-antibalgarsko-otnoshenie.html |archive-date=8 May 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Георги Брандийски Гръцките власти задържали наш журналист край лобното място на Гоце Делчев |url=https://dnes.dir.bg/obshtestvo/gratskite-vlasti-zadarzhali-nash-zhurnalist-kray-lobnoto-myasto-na-gotse-delchev |website=Dir.bg |date=7 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200801085250/https://dnes.dir.bg/obshtestvo/gratskite-vlasti-zadarzhali-nash-zhurnalist-kray-lobnoto-myasto-na-gotse-delchev |archive-date=1 August 2020}}</ref>

On 4 February 2023, on the 151st anniversary of the birth of the revolutionary, both the Macedonian and Bulgarian side paid their respects at the [[Church of the Ascension of Jesus, Skopje|St. Spas Church]] in Skopje separately, while the delegation of North Macedonia declined the offer to jointly lay wreaths proposed by the Bulgarian delegation.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-02-04 |title=Преглед на денот: Во Скопје мирно, на Деве Баир тензично за роденденот на Гоце Делчев |url=https://360stepeni.mk/pregled-na-denot-vo-skopje-mirno-na-deve-bair-tenzichno-za-rodendenot-na-gotse-delchev/ |access-date=2023-02-05 |website=360 степени |language=mk |archive-date=5 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205084930/https://360stepeni.mk/pregled-na-denot-vo-skopje-mirno-na-deve-bair-tenzichno-za-rodendenot-na-gotse-delchev/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Many Bulgarian citizens who wanted to attend the event were held for hours at the border due to a claimed malfunction of the border system.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-02-04 |title=МВР: Падна системот за контрола на граничните премини, се пропуштаат само итни случаи |url=https://360stepeni.mk/mvr-padna-sistemot-za-kontrola-na-granichnite-premini-se-propushtaat-samo-itni-sluchai/ |website=360 степени |language=mk-MK |archive-date=5 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205084929/https://360stepeni.mk/mvr-padna-sistemot-za-kontrola-na-granichnite-premini-se-propushtaat-samo-itni-sluchai/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Сите во Украина, Демерџиев ќе ѝ донира генератори на Македонија -да не паѓал граничниот систем |url=https://kanal5.com.mk/site-vo-ukraina-demerdjiev-kje-i-donira-generatori-na-makedonija-da-ne-pagjal-granichniot-sistem/a566985 |access-date=2023-02-05 |website=kanal5.com.mk |language=mk |archive-date=5 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205095431/https://kanal5.com.mk/site-vo-ukraina-demerdjiev-kje-i-donira-generatori-na-makedonija-da-ne-pagjal-granichniot-sistem/a566985 |url-status=live}}</ref> However, problems with the admission of the Bulgarians continued even after the processing of their documents.<ref>{{cite web |title=Демерджиев: Българи са възпрепятствани да влязат в РСМ - неприемливо е! |url=https://bntnews.bg/news/demerjiev-balgari-sa-vazprepyatstvani-da-vlyazat-v-rsm-nepriemlivo-e-1222474news.html |website=Bulgarian National Television |date=4 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205143559/https://bntnews.bg/news/demerjiev-balgari-sa-vazprepyatstvani-da-vlyazat-v-rsm-nepriemlivo-e-1222474news.html |archive-date=5 February 2023 |language=bg}}</ref> As a result, many Bulgarian citizens and journalists were prevented from crossing.<ref>{{cite web |title=Почитането на Гоце Делчев: Недопуснати българи и силно напрежение на границата (обновена) |url=https://www.mediapool.bg/pochitaneto-na-gotse-delchev-nedopusnati-balgari-i-silno-naprezhenie-na-granitsata-obnovena-news344555.html |website=Медиапул |date=4 February 2023 |language=bg}}</ref> Three citizens were detained, fined and banned from entering the country for 3 years, due to attempting to physically assault policemen.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-02-04 |title=Приведени бугарски државјани кои навредуваа и напаѓаа македонски полицајци на "Деве Баир" |url=https://360stepeni.mk/privedeni-bugarski-drzhavjani-koi-navreduvaa-i-napagaaa-makedonskite-politsajtsi-na-deve-bair/ |access-date=2023-02-05 |website=360 степени |language=mk-MK |archive-date=5 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205084933/https://360stepeni.mk/privedeni-bugarski-drzhavjani-koi-navreduvaa-i-napagaaa-makedonskite-politsajtsi-na-deve-bair/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Угриновска |first=Соња Христовска |date=2023-02-04 |title=По 300 евра казна и 3 години забрана за влез им е пресудено на тројцата Бугари уапсени на Деве Баир |url=https://www.slobodenpecat.mk/po-300-evra-kazna-i-3-godini-zabrana-za-vlez-im-e-presudeno-na-trojcata-bugari-uapseni-na-deve-bair/ |access-date=2023-02-05 |website=Слободен печат |language=mk |archive-date=5 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205084933/https://www.slobodenpecat.mk/po-300-evra-kazna-i-3-godini-zabrana-za-vlez-im-e-presudeno-na-trojcata-bugari-uapseni-na-deve-bair/ |url-status=live }}</ref> According to their lawyer, two of them were apparently beaten.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Андоновиќ |first=Дејан |date=2023-02-05 |title=Адвокатот на приведените Бугари на Деве Баир тврди дека тие биле тепани во полициската станица |url=https://www.slobodenpecat.mk/advokatot-na-privedenite-bugari-na-deve-bair-tvrdi-deka-tie-bile-tepani-vo-policiskata-stanica/ |access-date=2023-02-05 |website=Слободен печат |language=mk-MK |archive-date=5 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205142212/https://www.slobodenpecat.mk/advokatot-na-privedenite-bugari-na-deve-bair-tvrdi-deka-tie-bile-tepani-vo-policiskata-stanica/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Ангел Георгиев: Граничните полицаи от РСМ скочиха на бой, получих множество удари, а съм най-малко битият |url=https://bnr.bg/horizont/post/101774863/advokatat-na-balgarite-zadarjani-na-deve-bair-6-chasa-sa-bili-s-beleznici-biti-sa |access-date=2023-02-05 |website=bnr.bg |language=bg |archive-date=5 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205142212/https://bnr.bg/horizont/post/101774863/advokatat-na-balgarite-zadarjani-na-deve-bair-6-chasa-sa-bili-s-beleznici-biti-sa |url-status=live}}</ref> Bulgaria officially reacted sharply to these events.<ref>Bistra Roushkoca, Foreign Ministry: Today’s Actions of the Authorities in North Macedonia Have Seriously Damaged the Process of Restoring Trust. [https://bta.bg/en/news/balkans/401553 February 4, Bulgarian News Agency.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205053909/https://bta.bg/en/news/balkans/401553 |date=5 February 2023 }}</ref>

== Memorials ==
<gallery class="center">
Image:GotseDelchevMonument.jpg|Monument in [[Gotse Delchev, Blagoevgrad Province|Gotse Delchev]], Bulgaria.
Image:Гоце Делчев – Благоевград – Крум Дерменджиев.JPG|Monument in [[Blagoevgrad]], Bulgaria.
Image:Gotse Delchev Sofia.jpg|Bust in [[Sofia]], Bulgaria.
Image:Monuments of Delcev and Gruev under Macedonian flag.JPG|Statues of Gotse Delchev and [[Dame Gruev]] on the [[Macedonia Square, Skopje|Macedonia Square]] in [[Skopje]], North Macedonia.
Image:Tomb of Gotse Delchev in the church Sv. Spas in Skopje.jpg|The tomb of Gotse Delchev in the church Sv. Spas in Skopje.
Image:Delcevstatue-cityparkskopje.JPG|Statue of Delchev in the City Park of Skopje, given as a gift by the city of Sofia in 1946
Image:Monument Goce Delcev Strumica.jpg|Monument in [[Strumica]], North Macedonia
Image:Школото во кое учителствувал Гоце Делчев во Штип6.jpg|Rectorate of [[Goce Delčev University of Štip]], is located in the building of the former Bulgarian Exarchate school in which Delchev was a teacher
</gallery>

== Notes ==
{{reflist|group="note"}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== Further reading ==
* Пандев, К. "Устави и правилници на ВМОРО преди Илинденско-Преображенското въстание", ''Исторически преглед'', 1969, кн. I, стр. 68–80. {{in lang|bg}}
* Пандев, К. "Устави и правилници на ВМОРО преди Илинденско-Преображенското въстание", ''Извeстия на Института за история'', т. 21, 1970, стр. 250–257. {{in lang|bg}}
* Битоски, Крсте, сп. "Македонско Време", Скопје – март 1997, quoting: Quoting: Public Record Office – Foreign Office 78/4951 Turkey (Bulgaria), From Elliot, 1898, ''Устав на ТМОРО''. S. 1. published in ''Документи за борбата на македонскиот народ за самостојност и за национална држава'', Скопје, Универзитет "Кирил и Методиј": Факултет за филозофско-историски науки, 1981, pp 331 – 333. {{in lang|mk}}
* Fikret Adanir, ''Die Makedonische Frage: ihre entestehung und etwicklung bis 1908.'', Wiessbaden 1979, p.&nbsp;112.
* Friedman, V. (1997) "One Grammar, Three Lexicons: Ideological Overtones and Underpinnings of the Balkan Sprachbund" in ''CLS 33 Papers from the 33rd Regional Meeting of the Chicago Linguistic Society''. (Chicago : Chicago Linguistic Society)
* Димитър П. Евтимов, ''Делото на Гоце Делчев'', Варна, изд. на варненското Македонско културно-просветно дружество "Гоце Делчев", 1937. {{in lang|bg}}

== External links ==
*{{wikisource author-inline}}
*{{wikiquote-inline}}
*{{Commons category-inline
|Gotse Delchev}}
*[https://gd.archives.bg/ Archive documents by Bulgarian State Archives] {{in lang|bg}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Delchev, Gotse}}
[[Category:1872 births]]
[[Category:1903 deaths]]
[[Category:People from Kilkis]]
[[Category:People from Salonica vilayet]]
[[Category:Members of the Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization]]
[[Category:Macedonian Bulgarians]]
[[Category:Bulgarians from Aegean Macedonia]]
[[Category:Bulgarian revolutionaries]]
[[Category:Bulgarian educators]]
[[Category:Bulgarian Men's High School of Thessaloniki alumni]]
[[Category:Bulgarian military personnel]]
[[Category:Balkan federalists]]