After the April War (1941) and the capitulation of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, Macedonia was again partitioned, this time by the fascist occupiers - Bulgaria, Germany, Italy and Albania. The Macedonian people suffered a new partition, followed by the political oppression, national assimilation and economic exploitation. Numerous military and police forces (about 60.000 persons) were concentrated on the territory of Macedonia. Repressive measures were taken against the participants in the National Liberation Movement (NOD) and their families. The Macedonian people were subjected to mass terror, prosecution and trials. Systematic cultural and educational propaganda was carried out by the occupier.
The Macedonian people essentially comprehended the occupier intentions and offered strong resistance. The Communist Party of Yugoslavia (KPJ) i.e. the Communist Party of Macedonia (KPM) took resolute attitude concerning the struggle against the fascism, taking over the part of an organizer and leader of the uprising of the Macedonian people. The correct attitude of the KPJ concerning the Macedonian national question offered numerous perspectives concerning the national liberation of the Macedonian people and establishment of the Macedonian state because of which the Macedonian people took part in the struggle in mass.
Military headquarters and commissions, which gathered arms and performed military training, were founded in 1941.
At that time the first sabotage units were created. On August 22, 1941 the Skopje partisan detachment was founded performing the first partisan actions. At the same time the Kumanovo and Prilep detachments were founded, their actions started on October 11 being the beginning of the Macedonian people uprising. During 1942 the partisan movement were also in ascent. Nine detachments were founded acting on a large territory. The Provincial Headquarters was renamed into a Headquarters General of Macedonia. In February – March 1943 in Skopje and Tetovo the Communist Party of Macedonia (KPM) was founded. The Central Committee of KPM and the Headquarters General turned into the main organizers of the of the National Liberation Movement. In summer 1943 the partisan detachments created strong foci of the armed struggle. On August 2 in the village of Oteshevo was held the Prespa Conference of the Central Committee (CK) of the KPM when the important decisions were made for the convocation of the Anti-fascist Council of the National Liberation of Macedonia (ASNOM), foundation of large military units and enlargement of the network of the organs of the people’s authority. On August 18, 1943 the first large military unit – the battalion "Mirche Acev" was founded, as the first step to the foundation of the Macedonian Army. After the capitulation of Italy (September 1943), the NOD was spread resulting in foundation of big units – brigades.
In October 1943 the Headquarters General announced the well-known Manifesto – a programme document concerning the character and the goals of the NOV and the governmental – juridical status of Macedonia in the prospective Yugoslav federation. On the II Session of AVNOJ (November 29, 1943) the equal status of Macedonia, within the frames of the Yugoslav Federation, so as the status of the Macedonian nation have been recognized The Macedonian language has been proclaimed as one of the official ones in the New Yugoslavia.
During the winter and the spring in 1944, the Macedonian Army has taken important military actions (the February march, the Spring offensive), causing terrible damages to the Bulgarian occupier.
During the period of 1944 the network of governmental organs in Macedonia has been spread, over 800 in number. The preparations for convocation of the ASNOM have been taken by the Headquarters General and the Initiative Board.
On August 2, 1944 the historic I Session of the ASNOM was held on which constitutive decisions were made concerning the establishment of the Macedonian state, as a federal unit within the frames of the Yugoslav federation, and the officializing of the Macedonian language. During the period September – November 1944 the Macedonian Army has taken offensives of importance liberating the largest part of the territory of the Vardar Macedonia. Skopje, the capital of Macedonia, was liberated on November 13.
During the period of August 1944 – April 1945 the Macedonian state has been created by the Macedonian military and political leaders. The decisions of ASNOM influenced the Macedonian people who found in NOD the only guarantee concerning its national freedom and establishment of a Macedonian state that have been longed for through centuries.
At the end of 1944 and the beginning of 1945 the Macedonian Army turned into a great military power with approximately 100.000 combatants. In the spring of 1945 the XV Macedonian corps contributed to the military operations for the liberation of Yugoslavia. Macedonia has developed into one of the anti-fascist powers with significant contribution to the victory over the fascism and has gained the Anti-fascist Coalition reputation. So the indispensable conditions concerning the recognition of the newly established Macedonian state by the Allies have been provided, eventhough within the frames of the Yugoslav Federation.
During the World War II the centennial endeavours and ideals concerning the establishment of the Macedonian state, the national and the social liberation of the Macedonian nation have been accomplished, although only in the Vardar part of Macedonia. The Macedonian nation and the Macedonia language have been gaining wide international recognition and affirmation.