YUGOSLAVIA-THE IDEOLOGY

AND THE STATE, THEIR RISE

AND THEIR DEMISE
INTRODUCTION
Finding it hard to assemble a proper introduction that will cover all my
opinions on the subject through this thorough and detailed essay of
Yugoslavian legacy, it is easy to perceive how the complexity of this topic
is reflected by this essay. Still, I hope I've made a proper vivisection of the
historical realities I wanted to make, which the reader will understand and
appreciate as a valuable assesment.
Before beginning any other business, I'd like to state clearly in which way
this essay was assembled. I paid attention firstly and foremostly to the
foreign reader, and the explanation he will need to grasp the full
understanding on the situation. Secondly, I paid attention to proper
chronology. Naturally, I will begin firstly with the discussion of ancient
history of the territory comprising the former state, then the medieval
period and so forth. What may be more important is maintaining my
objectivity in analysis of the tricky subjects of nationalism, hate, genocide
and mass murder that were so much present in Yugoslavian history
through the 20th century.
The sources of this essay are my own experiences, family history and
narrative, education and knowledge I've gained through reading the
respective material and so on. Also, they are all easily accessible on the
Internet, and are hardly the subject of dispute. I refrained from using
anecdotal sources or sources of questionable credibility.
Yugoslavia, a state that existed as a monarchy from 1918 to 1941, was
formed as a partisan rebel republic in 1943 and gained full control of its
claimed territories by 1945 (not counting several small territories that
were settled in a deal with Italy two years later) 1918 to 1941, was formed
as a partisan rebel republic in 1943 and gained full control of its claimed
territories by 1945 (not counting several small territories that were settled
in a deal with Italy two years later) 1918 to 1941, was formed as a partisan
rebel republic in 1943 and gained full control of its claimed territories by
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1945 (not counting Istria and Trieste, whose borders were settled in a deal
with Italy de iure in 1977, though de facto in 1954) and lasted to its final
demise that happened in 1991, when the whole country fell apart in a
political earthquake that claimed lives of about 150 000 people. It should
be noted, however, that two breakaway Yugoslav republics, Serbia and
Montenegro, claimed the right to be deemed a successor of Yugoslavia.
The said republics, which constituted a form of a confederacy, abandoned
using the term after a certain period and even separated themselves in
2006.
Yugoslavia has an incredibly rich cultural, political and geographical aspect
to it. The area itself encompasses around 256 000 square kilometers, and
had about 23 million inhabitants prior to its demise. Throughout history, it
has been fully or partly controlled by the Greeks, the Romans, Slavic tribes
that settled it, Turks, Austrians and Hungarians. It is geographically diverse
on a very large scale-ranging from the warm Mediterranean coast of
Croatia, snowy and tall mountain ranges spanning all the way from
Slovenia to Montenegro, lush oak forests of eastern Slavonia and endless
plains of Vojvodina. It is inhabited by numerous ethnic and religious
groups.
Yet the greatest impression of Yugoslavia foreigners gain is the one left by
American films filmed during the 1990s and early 2000s. It is a picture of a
state torn by raging nationalism, occasional religious fanaticism, brutal
military conflict. A state of plummeting economy, hardships caused by
economical transition and widespread poverty in the eastern part of the
land. And though there is some truth to this impression, let us touch the
real Yugoslavia, and break any veils that had been surrounding her.

YUGOSLAVIAN AREA DURING THE

ANCIENT TIMES AND THE MIDDLE AGES
During the days of the Roman domination over the Mediterranean, the
most ancient inhabitants in this area were the Illyrians-a tribe inhabiting a
large expanse covering the territory stretching from the north of modern
day Greece all the way to Slovenia.
Illyrians were a group of culturally speaking, loosely connected ethnic
groups which had no unitary state, but rather lived in tribal societies.
However, during 250-167 BC, Illyrians managed to establish a kingdom
that would later come to clashes with Rome over piracy.
Illyrians lived in a tribal fashion, mostly in fortified cities atop of hills
situated in the Dinaric karst. Modern regions of Croatia, Istria and
Dalmatia, bear the name after two of the tribes-Histri and Delmati. Over
time, Illyrians waged wars against all sorts of enemies, yet where in the
end subdued by Romans, who were so amazed by their fierce resistance
that they named a province after Delmati.
The story of Illyrians is of large importance for Yugoslavia, as it would later
become one of the main ideological foundations of the pan-Yugoslav
movement. Namely, 19th century scholars assumed that the modern day
Slavic nations in SE Europe stemmed from the Illyrians. The theory, though
wrong in some points, has some legitimacy to it, but is of no greater value
to discuss here. Here ends the story of Illyrians.

THE MIDDLE AGES

Following the violent breakup of the Roman empire, the are of SE Europe
was left in the state of chaos. Slavic tribes and Asiatic nations like Avars
and Bulgars kept ravaging the region for some time, even laying a failed
siege to Constantinople in 626.
Finally, the turbulent history settled during the 8th and 9th centuries,
when the newcomer tribes adopted sedentary ways and started forming
early states. Historical sources mention several important tribes of either
Slavic origin or Slavic language:
-Bulgarians, the Asiatic nomad nation that adopted the Slavic language of
their subjugated peoples, settled in the eastern part of the Balkan
peninsula and founded a powerful empire in 681 which would remain a
force to be reckoned with until the 14th century, when it ended in a state
of fragmentation and was gradually overwhelmed by the Ottomans.
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-Croats, people who speak a Slavic language though whose origin is

disputed in historiography. Various theories were proposed, not rarely for
political reasons. One of them was the Gothic theory, which implies Croats
were a Germanic people and was constructed in the 1940s (which will be
furtherly discussed later in this essay). The theory that is the most
compelling is the theory of Croats as an Iranian tribe which draws it
sources from the Tanais tablets-tablets from the 2nd-3rd century AD that
mention three men: Horoathos, Horothos, and Horathos, whose names
seem rather similar to the modern day ethnonym Hrvat. Croats settled in
the area encircled by the Adriatic and the Rivers Drava, Danube and Drina.
At first subordinated to the mixed Frankish-Byzantine influences, they
achieved their de facto independence in the 9th century, when the prince
Branimir achieved recognition by the Pope. An important fact is that the
Croats were the only significant state in SE Europe to adopt Catholicism,
which would later prove of great significance. Croatian state was
subsequently elevated to the rank of a kingdom, and maintained its
independence until 1102, after a war in which Hungarian king claimed the
throne considering the lack of legitimate Croat king, and the fact that his
sister married the Croatian king-Croatia was brought to a vassal relation to
the Kingdom of Hungary.
Serbs settled in the are of modern day Montenegro and Serbia proper,
establishing two states-Raka and Zeta. Over time, the Serbs'
independence fluctuated, sometimes being subjugated by Byzantines or
Bulgarians. Later, the Serb state achieved independence and lasted until
the 14th century, when it was crushed by internal feudal anarchy and the
rising pressure of Ottomans. At first, it became a vassal despotate to the
Ottomans, and was subsequently carved into sanjaks and stripped of any
independence.
Slovenes, who trace their origins to Caranthanians, a Slavic tribe who
established a short-lived state in the Eastern Alps. Samo, a leader of
Caranthanians, established a state in the 7th century, which would
disappear in the 9th century, leaving the local Slavs controlled by
Germanic states for the next 1000 years.
Though there are three more nations (Montenegrins, Bosniaks and
Macedonians) listed into the Slavic family, they are a subject of debate.
Montenegrin national identity is disputed, as it was the core of medieval
Serb state and identity. The name Macedonia is disputed by modern-day
Greece, pointing out the discrepancy between the facts that ancient
Macedons weren't a Slavic tribe. The name Bosniak will seem laughable to
Croats, as Bosnia was a part of the Croatian kingdom, and even during its

independence ruled by dukes of Croat origin (e.g. Pavao ubi and Hrvoje
Hrvatini).
This is just the most plain depiction of the medieval South Slavic states.
The more important chapter begins with the Ottoman conquests, which
would destroy the independent Slavic nations and strip them of any
independence, creating massive migrations and religious conversions to
go along

THE OTTOMAN PERIOD

Ottomans, descendants of the Oghuz Turks who first threatened Europe in
1071 at the battle of Manzikert, spread rapidly and by 1299 founded an
empire in modern day Turkey are the nation that left one of the biggest
marks in the history of Yugoslavia.
Though they didn't manage to conquer Constantinople by 1453, they
managed to break into the Balkan peninsula already in 1300s. Upon their
arrival, they found the best possible circumstances-Bulgaria splintered,
Serbia in a state of feudal anarchy and Croatia (by then a part of the
Hungarian kingdom) amidst a bitter dynastic fight.
The conquest of the Balkans was a great success. A short timeline follows:
1364-Battle of Srp Snd-combined Serbian, Bulgarian and Hungarian
forces utterly defeated at Maritsa river
1371-Battle of Maritsa-for the second time, Serbs defeated at Maritsa river
1389-Battle of Kosovo-final collapse of the Serbian power under Ottoman
attacks
1439-Serbia subjugated to the Ottomans
1440-Siege of Belgrade. Hungarian kingdom defends the city successfully.
1453-Constantinople captured
1456-Second siege of Belgrade, Ottoman failure again
1463-Bosnia conquered
1483-Herzegovina conquered
1493-Battle of Krbava field. Croatian nobility obliterated by the Ottomans
1521-Belgrade finally conquered by the Ottomans
1526-Battle of Mohacs field-Ottomans defeat Hungarian-Croat forces.
Croatia and Hungary become parts of the Austrian Empire, seeking
protection from the rapidly progressing Ottomans
1529-Siege of Vienna, Ottoman failure
1566-Battle of Szigeth. Croatian noble Nikola Zrinski dies in a desperate
last charge from the fort. Ottomans conquer Szigetvar, though are halted
in their advance towards Vienna.
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1593-Battle of Sisak. Croat-German forces crush the Ottomans, marking

the end of the 100 year long Croat-Ottoman war.
1683-Battle of Vienna, Ottomans defeated. The battle marked the end of
Ottoman military power in Europe, Austria and Venice start bitter wars
trying to retake the territories conquered by the Ottomans.
What should be discussed alongside military history is the societal and
cultural implications of Ottoman conquests. The Ottoman rule stopped any
cultural and societal progress in the region. Massive taxes were imposed
on Christian populace. The practice of 'blood tax' was introduced-a
gruesome method of collecting new army recruits. It consisted of
kidnapping healthy Christian boys aged 8-18 every five years to be
converted to Islam and brought up as janissaries.
The Balkan peninsula was turned into a mosaic of nationalities and
religions. Jews, fleeing persecution in Spain settled in Bosnia and Greece.
Catholic populace in Bosnia was practically exterminated, replaced by
either Muslims or Orthodox Christians, who were threated less harshly
than Catholics. Catholics were a special thorn in the paw of the Ottoman
Empire, as they were the group that they deemed most likely to help the
Austrians or Venetians in case of an invasion.
Austria and Venetia recaptured modern day Croatia fully in the 18th
century. Serbia regained de facto independence after the Second Serbian
Uprising of 1815-1817. Greece gained independence in its war of 18211832, and Bulgaria gained its own freedom after the Treaty of San Stefano
in 1878.
Bosnia was annexed de iure in 1878, and de facto thirty years later by
Austria. This, however, left a large patch of Ottoman territory, which would
be recaptured in the First Balkans War in 1912-1913. Albania gained its
independence as a direct result of the war.
Once the Ottomans were gone, South Slavic nations found themselves in
two camps-the independent Serbs and Bulgarians and Austrian-subjugated
Croats and Slovenes. This will become the factor that will seal the
unification ambitions of South Slavs, and the subsequent creation of
Yugoslavia.
But between the Ottoman rule and Yugoslavian state, there came a time in
which Austria played a significant role

AUSTRIAN EMPIRE-ITS CONQUESTS AND

THEIR INFLUENCE ON SHAPING OF THE
PAN-SLAVIC IDEOLOGY
To understand how did Austria influence these territories, one must know
how did it even become entangled by the political situations of the
Balkans. In 1526, Hungarian-Croat forces suffered a bitter defeat in the
Battle of Mohacs. Seeking protection, the nobles accepted to be ruled by
Habsburgs, a powerful Austrian dynasty. Habsburg family gladly accepted,
acquiring new territories and more power.