Yugoslavia & The Balkans Scarier than Lions, Tigers and Bears… OH MY!!!
Cultural Makeup 3 Languages in the Region Serbo-Croat, Slovenian and Macedonian 3 Religions in the Region Serbian Orthodox, Catholic and Islam
Geography of the Balkans Very Mountainous Today the Yugoslav area of the Balkan region contains: Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia- Herzegovina, Serbia, Albania, Macedonia, Montenegro
History of the Region Has been ruled over at various times by the Ottomans, the Austro-Hungarians and the Bulgarians. Germany took it over in 1941 Resistance organized by Josip “Tito” Broz
The Communist Period Tito set up communist republic of Yugoslavia in Policy of Non- Allignment Never joined with Moscow or the United States
Death of Tito and the Aftermath Tito dies in 1980 Popular hero that united and suppressed various nationalities in the empire… Federation begins to show signs of wear by the early 1990’s
The Breakup Serbia is the chief state of Yugoslavia and the most powerful… Slovenia secedes in 92 Croatia and then Bosnia follow suit Serbia angry at loss of power in region and Europe…. WAR!!!
Chaos! Serbs (fight Croats and Bosnian-Muslims) Want to keep Bosnia and its Bosnian Serbs Ethnically cleansed Bosnian Muslims Croats (fight Serbs and Bosnian-Muslims) Want to expand into Bosnia and get Bosnian-Croats Bosnians (fight everyone) Bosnian Muslims want their own country
The UN joins in the Mess UN tries to pull everyone apart Who do you back? Who do you back? 1995 – Dayton Accords Bosnia divided into two autonomous regions loosely tied Bosnia divided into two autonomous regions loosely tied Bosnian-Serb Republic and Muslim- Croat Federation Bosnian-Serb Republic and Muslim- Croat Federation
Croatia Gets land back grabbed by Serbia 200,000 refugees return home Could the Dayton Accords be a Model for Iraq? Adriatic Sea
A New War- Serbia and Kosovo Kosovo Region of Serbia Region of Serbia Muslim population Muslim population Supported by Albania KLA lead open Rebellion against Serbia
International Opinion Pro-Serb Fear new war Fear more “Balkanization”Pro-Kosovar Want ability for self- determination Reject oppression
The Results Slobodan Milosovic encouraged to bring order to the land Accused of war crimes (like Srebreniza) and ethnic cleansing Accused of war crimes (like Srebreniza) and ethnic cleansing NATO sent in to restore peace and stop Milosovic
Today – Peace at Last? Milosovic was apprehended and died during his trial at the Hague for War Crimes Tentative peace has returned to the country