Yugoslavia

Yugoslavia was a country in Central Europe and the Balkans that existed from 1918 to 1992. It started after World War I, when different South Slavic groups came together to form a single nation. Originally called the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, it later became known as the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. The country faced many challenges, including political crises and a period 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, who ruled from 1944 until his death in 1980. The country was then known as the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and included six republics: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, and Slovenia.

After Tito passed away, Yugoslavia experienced economic troubles and rising tensions between its different groups. This led to the country breaking apart in the early 1990s, resulting in several new independent nations. The breakup also led to difficult conflicts that were later examined by international courts. Today, the area that was once Yugoslavia is made up of several separate countries, each with its own government and identity.

Background

Main article: Creation of Yugoslavia

The idea of a country called Yugoslavia, where all 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 comes from two words: "jug," meaning "south," and "Slaveni" or "Sloveni," meaning "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, when several regions joined together to form a country called the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes. Later in 1929, King Alexander I renamed the country Yugoslavia.

King Alexander I took control of the government in 1929, changing the country's name to Yugoslavia and creating new regions called banovinas. He wanted to bring the different groups in the country closer together. However, his rule faced challenges from other countries and different 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 came of age.

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

World War II

Main article: World War II in Yugoslavia

In the early morning of April 6, 1941, forces from Germany, Italy, and Hungary invaded Yugoslavia. Their airplanes bombed Belgrade and other big cities. Soon after, Yugoslavia’s leaders agreed to stop fighting, but many soldiers were captured.

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

Federal People's Republic of Yugoslavia

Main article: Federal People's Republic of Yugoslavia

On November 11, 1945, elections were held in Yugoslavia, and only one group, the Communist-led People's Front, could run. They won all the seats in the new Constituent Assembly, which then declared the Federal People's Republic of Yugoslavia, ending the rule of a king. Marshal Tito became the leader, and there was no room for opposition.

The 1946 Constitution shaped Yugoslavia into six republics and some special areas, with Belgrade as its capital. The government was strong and led by the Communist Party, and it recognized the rights of all its many nationalities. The republics used flags with red stars on them. Yugoslavia wanted to grow and influence nearby countries but faced challenges with other powers. The country treated its different groups fairly, though many Germans living there were sent away after World War II.

Yugoslav–Soviet split and the Non-Alignment Movement

In 1948, Yugoslavia decided to go its own way and not follow the Soviet Union. The constitution was changed to focus more on workers managing their own work and less central control. The Communist Party changed its name to the League of Communists and followed a new idea called Titoism.

Unlike other communist countries, Yugoslavia decided to accept help from the United States after breaking with the Soviet Union. Tito also spoke out against both the Eastern Bloc and NATO. In 1961, he helped start the Non-Aligned Movement with India and others, which Yugoslavia supported 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, followed by leaders from each part and the Communist Party.

In the late 1960s, students in Belgrade and other cities joined protests around the world. Tito stopped the protests by agreeing to some student demands. Later, he removed protest leaders from their jobs.

In the 1970s, students in Zagreb held protests asking for more freedom and for Croatia to have more control. 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 created hard times for many families and made people unhappy.

Breakup

Main article: Breakup of Yugoslavia

After the death of Tito on May 4, 1980, tensions between different groups in Yugoslavia grew. The way decisions were made became very confusing, especially because everyone had different ideas about what should happen. In Kosovo, many people wanted more control, but the leaders in Serbia did not agree.

In 1986, leaders in Serbia talked about how their country felt limited in making decisions that affected places like Kosovo and Vojvodina. This made it hard for Serbia to help protect people who lived outside its borders.

A leader named Slobodan Milošević began to gain power in Serbia. He wanted Serbia to have more control, but other places like Slovenia and Croatia did not like this. There were big disagreements, and in 1989, workers in Kosovo protested, leading to more tension.

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

Yugoslav Wars

Main article: Yugoslav Wars

When some places tried to leave Yugoslavia and change the police and army, fights broke out. In Croatia, there were clashes between different groups, and similar issues happened in 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 a rich mix of people from many different backgrounds. People there followed many religions, including Islam, Roman Catholicism, Judaism, Protestantism, and Eastern Orthodox faiths. After World War II, the government encouraged modern ways of living, which led many people to become less involved in their religions.

Yugoslavia had many languages, with Serbo-Croatian, Slovenian, and Macedonian being 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 separate languages: Bosnian, Croatian, Montenegrin, and Serbian.