Yugoslavia

Yugoslavia

Yugoslavia was a country in Central Europe and the Balkans from 1918 to 1992. It started after World War I, when different South Slavic groups joined together to form one nation. It was first called the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, and later the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. The country had many challenges, including political problems and a time of dictatorship under King Alexander I.

During World War II, Yugoslavia was invaded and occupied by Axis powers. After the war, it became a communist state led by Josip Broz Tito. He ruled from 1944 until he died in 1980. At that time, the country was called the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and included six republics: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, and Slovenia.

After Tito died, Yugoslavia had economic problems and growing tensions between its different groups. This led to the country breaking apart in the early 1990s, creating several new independent nations. The breakup caused some difficult situations that were later looked at by international courts. Today, the area that was once Yugoslavia is made up of several separate countries, each with its own government.

Background

Main article: Creation of Yugoslavia

The idea of a country called Yugoslavia, where South Slavic peoples could live together, began in the late 1600s. It became more popular in the 1800s through a movement called the Illyrian Movement. The name Yugoslavia means "south Slavs." Plans to create Yugoslavia moved faster after a meeting in 1917 called the Corfu Declaration between the Yugoslav Committee and the government of the Kingdom of Serbia.

Kingdom of Yugoslavia

Main article: Kingdom of Yugoslavia

The Kingdom of Yugoslavia began in 1918 after World War I. Several regions joined to form a country called the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes. In 1929, King Alexander I renamed the country Yugoslavia.

King Alexander I changed the government's structure and created new regions called banovinas. He wanted to bring different groups together. But his rule had challenges from other countries and political groups. In 1934, King Alexander I was killed during a visit to France. After his death, a regency led by his cousin Prince Paul took over until King Peter II was old enough to rule.

In 1939, pressure from Italy and Germany led to an autonomous region called the Banovina of Croatia within Yugoslavia. In 1941, Prince Paul signed an agreement with Germany and Italy. This led to a military coup. Soon after, Germany and its allies invaded and took over the country.

World War II

Main article: World War II in Yugoslavia

In April 1941, Germany, Italy, and Hungary invaded Yugoslavia. Their airplanes bombed Belgrade and other big cities. Soon after, Yugoslavia stopped fighting, but many soldiers were captured.

The country was divided and occupied by different powers. One part was led by a cruel group called the Ustaše, who hurt many people. Others were taken over by Germany, Bulgaria, Hungary, or Italy. During this time, two groups fought back — the communist-led Yugoslav Partisans and the royalist Chetniks. The Partisans became a big resistance army and drove the invaders out of most of the country by 1945.

Federal People's Republic of Yugoslavia

Main article: Federal People's Republic of Yugoslavia

In 1945, people in Yugoslavia voted for a new government. Only one group could run, and they won. This group made Yugoslavia a new kind of country and chose Marshal Tito as its leader.

The 1946 Constitution made Yugoslavia into six parts, called republics, with Belgrade as its capital. The government was led by the Communist Party and tried to treat all groups fairly. The republics used flags with red stars on them. After World War II, many Germans living there had to leave.

Yugoslav–Soviet split and the Non-Alignment Movement

In 1948, Yugoslavia chose to go its own way and not follow the Soviet Union. The government changed to let workers manage their own work. The Communist Party changed its name to the League of Communists and followed a new idea called Titoism.

Yugoslavia accepted help from the United States and spoke out against both the Eastern Bloc and NATO. In 1961, Tito helped start the Non-Aligned Movement with India and others. Yugoslavia supported this movement until it ended.

Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

Main article: Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

In 1963, the country changed its name to the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, and Josip Broz Tito became President for life. Each part of the country had its own leaders and parliaments. Tito was the most important leader.

In the late 1960s, students in Belgrade and other cities joined protests. Tito stopped the protests by agreeing to some student demands.

In the 1970s, students in Zagreb held protests asking for more freedom. The government stopped these protests and put leaders in prison. A new rule book in 1974 gave more rights to each part of Yugoslavia.

As the economy struggled in the 1980s, many factories closed and many people lost their jobs. This made life hard for many families.

Breakup

Main article: Breakup of Yugoslavia

After the death of Tito in 1980, different groups in Yugoslavia had growing tensions. Decisions became confusing because everyone had different ideas.

In Kosovo, many people wanted more control, but leaders in Serbia disagreed.

In 1986, leaders in Serbia felt limited in making decisions about places like Kosovo and Vojvodina. This made it hard for Serbia to help people living outside its borders.

A leader named Slobodan Milošević gained power in Serbia. He wanted more control for Serbia, but places like Slovenia and Croatia did not agree. There were big disagreements.

In 1990, leaders from Slovenia and Croatia wanted Yugoslavia to change so each place could make its own rules. But Serbia did not agree. Elections were held, and new leaders in Slovenia and Croatia wanted more freedom.

Yugoslav Wars

Main article: Yugoslav Wars

When some places tried to leave Yugoslavia, fights broke out. There were clashes in Croatia and Slovenia. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, there were also conflicts.

Slovenia and Croatia declared independence on June 25, 1991. This led to a short war in Slovenia. In Croatia, fighting continued for a longer time. Macedonia left peacefully. Bosnia and Herzegovina also declared independence, which led to more fighting.

The United Nations helped try to keep peace in the area. Over time, several new countries formed from what was once Yugoslavia.

New states

Succession, 1992–2003

As fighting continued in places like Bosnia and Croatia, two republics—Serbia and Montenegro—formed a smaller country called the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in 1992. They wanted to be the only country to carry on the traditions of the old Yugoslavia, but other former parts disagreed. The United Nations did not allow them to automatically join as the old Yugoslavia. After a leader was removed from power in 2000, the country stopped trying to be the sole successor and joined the United Nations again in November 2000. From 1992 to 2000, some countries called this area "Serbia and Montenegro" because they did not accept its claim to be the true successor of Yugoslavia. In 2003, the country changed its name to Serbia and Montenegro.

Succession, 2006–present

In June 2006, Montenegro voted to become its own country, so Serbia and Montenegro no longer existed. After this, Serbia became the official successor of the old Serbia and Montenegro, and Montenegro joined international groups again. In February 2008, Kosovo declared independence from Serbia, which caused a disagreement about whether Kosovo is a recognized country. Kosovo is not a member of the United Nations, but some countries, including the United States and members of the European Union, have recognized it as an independent state.

Yugo-nostalgia

Main article: Yugo-nostalgia

Some people remember the time when all the lands were joined together and miss the feeling of safety and unity it provided. Even today, some people from the former Yugoslavia still call themselves Yugoslavs.

Demographics

Main articles: Demographics of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia and Demographics of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

Yugoslavia was home to many different kinds of people. They followed many religions, such as Islam, Roman Catholicism, Judaism, Protestantism, and Eastern Orthodox faiths. After World War II, the government encouraged modern living, and many people became less involved in their religions.

Yugoslavia had many languages. Serbo-Croatian, Slovenian, and Macedonian were the main ones. Serbo-Croatian was taught across the country and became a second language for many people. After Yugoslavia broke apart, Serbo-Croatian split into four languages: Bosnian, Croatian, Montenegrin, and Serbian.