Slovenes

The Slovenes, also known as Slovenians (Slovene: Slovenci), are a South Slavic ethnic group who live mainly in Slovenia and nearby areas in Italy, Austria, and Hungary. They have a rich history and culture, and they speak the Slovene language.

Slovenes have lived in their homeland for a long time, creating unique traditions, music, and art. Their culture shows both their Slavic roots and the influences of nearby countries.

Today, many Slovenes live far from their homeland. Communities of Slovenes can be found in countries such as the United States, Canada, Argentina, and Australia, where they keep their language and customs alive.

Population

Most Slovenes live in Slovenia, where about 2 million people live. About 83% of these people are ethnic Slovenes. Many people also speak Slovene as their first language.

Slovenes live in nearby countries such as Italy, Austria, Croatia, and Hungary. There are also Slovenes in faraway places like the United States, Canada, South America—especially in Argentina and Brazil—as well as in Australia and New Zealand. The largest group outside Slovenia is in Cleveland.

Main article: Slovene diaspora

Genetics

A study from 2013 looked at the DNA of Slovenian men. It found that many had a specific type of DNA called Y-DNA Haplogroup R1a. Another large group had Y-DNA Haplogroup R1b. Because of where Slovenia is located, people there share genes with many nearby groups. These include Italic peoples, Germanic peoples, other Slavs, and Hungarians. Later studies showed that Slovenes are genetically close to Hungarians and Czechs.

History

Early Alpine Slavs

Main article: Slavic settlement of the Eastern Alps

In the 6th century AD, Slavic people settled the land between the Alps and the Adriatic Sea in two groups. The first group came from the Moravian lands around 550. The second group arrived after the Lombards moved to Italy in 568.

From 623 to 658, Slavic peoples between the upper Elbe River and the Karawanks mountains united under King Samo. This group, called "Samo's Tribal Union", ended after Samo's death in 658. But a smaller Slavic area called Carantania stayed.

Alpine Slavs during the Frankish Empire

When Avar tribes were a threat, the Carantanians joined with Bavaria in 745. Later in the 8th century, they accepted Frankish rule and Christianity. The last Slavic state in the area, the principality of Prince Kocel, lost its independence in 874. Slovene lands got smaller because of pressure from Germans and the arrival of Hungarians in the Pannonian plain, but things settled by the 15th century.

16th century: Slovene Protestant reformation and consolidation of Slovene

The 16th century was when people first talked about a shared Slovene identity. During this time, the first books in Slovene were written by Primož Trubar and others, helping to create a standard Slovene language. Many books were printed in Slovene, including a Bible translation by Jurij Dalmatin.

18th century: Slovenes under Maria Theresa and Joseph II

The Enlightenment brought good changes for the Slovene people. Under Maria Theresa and Joseph II, changes included land rules, church updates, and required primary school in Slovene. This time also helped Slovene national identity grow.

Slovenes under Napoleon (1809–1813)

From 1809 to 1813, Slovenia was part of the Illyrian Provinces, an area ruled by the Napoleonic French Empire, with Ljubljana as its capital. Even though French rule was short, it helped Slovenes feel more connected to their nation.

1840s: the first Slovene national political programme

In the 1840s, the Slovene national movement grew beyond books. In 1848, the first Slovene national political plan, United Slovenia, was written. It asked for all Slovene-speaking lands to be joined into an autonomous kingdom inside the Austrian Empire. Even though it did not succeed, it inspired later political work.

Emigration

Between 1880 and World War I, many Slovenes moved to America. Most went between 1905 and 1913. They settled in places like Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Cleveland, Ohio, and Chicago. Some also went to work in coal mines and steel mills in places like West Virginia, Pittsburgh, and Youngstown, Ohio.

World War I

Many ethnic Slovenes were hurt during World War I because they lived in the area of the Isonzo Front. Many were forced to join the Austro-Hungarian Army, and others suffered in refugee camps.

Fascist Italianization of Littoral Slovenes

After World War I, the western part of Slovene-speaking lands was taken by Italy. About 327,000 Slovenes were made to follow Italian ways. Many Slovene cultural groups were not allowed, and Slovene teachers and writers were sent away. By the mid-1930s, around 70,000 Slovenes had left for Yugoslavia and South America.

World War II and aftermath

During World War II, Slovenia was taken over by Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy, and Hungary. Many Slovenes were moved, put in prison, or sent away to work. Groups formed to fight back, and there was a struggle between Slovene Partisans and groups against communists. After the war, many Slovenes left their home, moving to countries like Brazil, Argentina, Canada, Australia, and the United States.

Slovenes in Socialist Yugoslavia

See also: Titoism and Economy of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

After World War II, Slovenia became part of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Unlike other countries in the Eastern Bloc, Yugoslavia had more freedom because it was different from Stalin's way of ruling. In 1947, Slovenia gained more land when Italy gave back part of the Julian March, including the Slovene Littoral.

From the 1950s onward, Slovenia had more control over its own decisions and started to grow in jobs and culture. In the 1960s, new ideas about how workers could help run factories were tried. However, in the 1970s, stricter rules were introduced. By the 1980s, new groups formed for culture and politics, preparing for Slovenia's future independence.

Slovenes in independent Slovenia

In the late 1980s, people in Slovenia wanted more democracy and to be their own country. This led to big public meetings and protests. In 1991, Slovenia became its own country after a short conflict. After this, Slovenia wrote new rules called a constitution and joined groups of countries like the European Union and the United Nations.

In the 2010s, many people in Slovenia were unhappy with how leaders and big companies were running things. This led to large protests in 2012 and 2013, where people showed they wanted changes and fairness in how the country was governed.

Identity

Further information: National symbols of Slovenia

Early people thought the Slovenes might be related to a German group, but this was later proven wrong. In 1791, a writer named Anton Tomaž Linhart first described the Slovenes as a special group of Slavic people.

When Slovenia became independent in the early 1990s, people became more interested in Slovenian identity. Some suggested linking the Slovenes to an ancient group called the Veneti, but most people did not agree. Many Slovenes still feel connected to their Slavic roots.

During this time, old symbols from the Middle Ages became important to many Slovenes. These include the Slovene Hat, the Black Panther, and the image of Triglav. Today, the flag of Slovenia is white, blue, and red, without a coat of arms.

Language

The oldest known written words in Slovene are found in the Freising manuscripts, which are very old church texts.

Primož Trubar, who lived from 1508 to 1586, wrote the first printed book in Slovene. He was an important figure in the Protestant Reformation.

Religion

Most Slovenes are Roman Catholic, though there are also Protestant groups, especially Lutherans in the Prekmurje region. Some Slovenes are not religious or do not believe in a god, and there is also a small group of Slovenian Muslims.

Historiography

The study of the history of the Slovenes helps us understand their culture and background. Many journals and books focus on Slavic studies, helping people learn about their past and traditions. One place to find more information is the List of Slavic studies journals.