Introduction to Yugoslavia HOA 12 HL Unit 6 Jennifer Dikes

Border changes in the Balkans from 1800 to 2008 (wikimedia.gif)

1918 – After World War I Before WWI: Austria-Hungary and independent Serbia control region 1918: Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes (formally named Kingdom of Yugoslavia in 1929)

Creation of a Slavic state Before 1918, most peoples in this region had short or no history of political independence, being absorbed into A-H., Ottoman Empire for much of the last 400 yrs Idea of national self-determination – Treaty of Versailles (Wilson) Pan-Slavic nationalism – Yugoslavia and Czechoslovakia

Major groups in the region Serbs - Eastern Orthodox, speak Serbian (Serbo-Croatian), language written in Cyrillic & Latin alphabet (Cyrillic is official) Croats - Catholic, speak Croatian (Serbo-Croatian), language written in Latin alphabet Bosnian Muslims- Muslim, speak Serbo-Croatian (Bosnian after war), language written in Latin alphabet Slovenes -Catholic, speak Slovene, language written in Latin alphabet Albanians - Muslim, speak Albanian (not related to anything), language written in Latin alphabet differences in language, religion are legacy of the various empires who have controlled the region

Who controls Yugoslavia? Tension in the country from the start particularly between 2 biggest groups - Serbs & Croats – over dominance in the state. Will Yugoslavia follow model of Germany & Italy?

WWII for Yugoslavia invaded by Nazis after tried to stay out of war Opportunity for many groups in society to make the change they want Country divided up - parts annexed by Axis powers (Germany, Italy, Hungary, Bulgaria) Independent State of Croatia created by Croatian fascists - dominated by Ger ISC run by nationalists & racists called Ustaše- want to get rid of Serbs on 'their' territory even more than wanting to kill Jews

Resistance groups during WWII Chetniks (Serbs) - supported by Allies & king in exile until 1943 Partisans (Communist, anti-Nazi, multinational and ethnic) - supported by Allies after 1943, hated by Chetniks & ISC because they are Commies These two sides fight each other, fight the Nazis and fight the ISC

Communist victory in Yugoslavia Partisans defeat Nazis (without the Red Army) Leader: Josip Broz Tito Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (1946)

Tito-Stalin split, 1948 Yugoslavia – – functions as Soviet ally 1948 – Stalin kicks Yugoslavia out of Cominform (Soviet satellite org) Yugoslavia maintains connections with West

Tito’s Yugoslavia 3 major reforms to make more flexible communism: liberalization & decentralization of politics (League of Communists of Yugo - combination of 6 CPs) new econ system - Titoism – workers’ self management, ind. republics in charge of econ decisions) non-alignment

Continued problem of nationalism new constitution - more autonomy to republics Internal division of Serbia (autonomous regions of Kosovo, Vojvodina) Reduces Serb power - no similar divisions created for Serbs in Bosnia or Croatia Recognition of Montenegrin and Macedonian as languages and groups- Serbs say they are Serb

Tito’s death Tito dies - uniting force dies with him Collective presidency (6+2 representatives) – requires unanimous vote to make decisions