Historical Review: 20th Century Yugoslavia

The history of Yugoslavia is extensive and eventful. Numerous events throughout the history of the country have caused it to develop into its current condition. Despite the fact that Yugoslavia as a nation no longer exists, but rather Serbia and Montenegro claims to be its successor, the focus of the following historical review shall be none other than the major significant events of the country’s existence during the 20th century. Pre-World War I however, Yugoslavia existed with the title of Serbia.

Serbia existed as a nation during the 20th century, but only through the early years of it. The revolts that broke out in numerous Turkish provinces in the Balkans in 1875 led to a war between Russia and the Ottoman Empire. Upon being defeated, the Turks were forced to sign the Treaty of San Stefano. This treaty, signed in 1878, allowed Romania, Montenegro, and Serbia their independence. Over the next three decades, however, acts of aggression by the Ottoman Empire, including the alteration of national boundaries, resulted in the formation of the Balkan League, consisting of Bulgaria, Greece, Montenegro, and Serbia. The League went to war with, and defeated the Ottoman Empire in 1912. This would seem to be a good thing, except for the fact that the Balkan League couldn’t agree on the distribution of the captured Turkish territories. This led to yet another war, although this time the war was with Serbia, Greece, Montenegro, Romania, and the remaining parts of the Ottoman Empire, siding against Bulgaria. Bulgaria suffered a quick defeat, and as a result, Serbia was able to come out of the wars with a seaport along the Adriatic Sea.

Imperialism, militarism, alliances, and nationalism were the four main causes of World War I. The nationalism aspect played an extremely large role, in that Russia agreed to back Serbia, and Germany the same with Austria-Hungary. June 28, 1914, the Serbian terrorist, Gavrilo Princip, assassinated Archduke Francis Ferdinand, future emperor of Austria-Hungary, and his wife. The result of this was declaration of war of Austria-Hungary on Serbia exactly one month later. Thus, World War I was initiated, and Serbia was held responsible as a whole for the actions of the one Serbian terrorist who began it all. Upon decimation of the Central Powers in 1918, Serbia and the Allies were victorious with copious gains. After the war, Serbia and Montenegro, the former Habsburg provinces of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and a section of the Adriatic coast (including the seaport they had received in 1912) decided unanimously to form the new nation of Yugoslavia. This marked the end of Serbia, and the birth of a new kingdom, with more foreseeable potential than could ever have been imagined.

Other posts on imperialism:

Historical Review: 20th Century Yugoslavia, Continued
What is Imperialism
The Effects of Imperialism on Foreign Lands
British Imperialism: South Africa
Imperialism Simulation
Historical Review: 20th Century Yugoslavia