Croatian nationals who had been suppressed under Tito's rule suddenly found themselves with an opportunity to press their separatist agenda. Serbian nationalism also flourished, largely as a result of Serbian migration. Serbs who migrated out of Serbia did not enjoy the same protections afforded to ethnic minorities within Serbia, which caused immense resentment. The root cause of this nationalism, explains Dr. Marco Babić of the University of Warsaw, is difference in language. One of the functions of language is demarcation, so the presence of so many dialects in a single state led to the stratification of groups by language. Thus, differences in language and ethnicity were primarily what gave rise to nationalism in the various sectors of Yugoslavia. The ethnic strife felt throughout Yugoslavia was exacerbated by declining economic conditions, partially a result of the policies implemented by the IMF. In 1990 the Yugoslavian communist party was divided along ethnic lines, fragmenting any remaining sense of political unity. In 1992, Bosnian calls for independence sparked a violent reaction from Bosnian Serbs. To protest this, Bosnian Serbs began rounding up Muslims, whom they had for many years identified against, and executing them. This specific targeting of a minority shows how racism fueled the civil conflict.
Of the ethnic groups that inhabit what was once Yugoslavia, the main group is Slavic that includes Serbians, Croatians, Bosnians, Slovenians, and Macedonians. There are also Italians, Hungarians, Albanians, Turks and Gypsies living in this region.
The causes of the Yugoslavian civil war stemmed effectively from nationalism. The particular concepts to focus on that created this conflict are ethnicity, and the presence of so many ethnic groups in one state. The differing ideologies, religions, and political philosophies of various ethnic groups created an environment in which conflict was inevitable.
Concept: ethnicity
Cause: Nationalism
Rank: 1
Yugoslavia had three official languages; Serbo-Croatian, Slovenian and Macedonian. There are also many other non-official languages spoken there. The Cyrillic and Roman alphabets are both used.
According to Dr. Marco Babic of the University of Warsaw, language is one of the primary roots of nationalism. The civil conflict here stemmed mostly from nationalism, brought about by differences in language, ethnicity, and religion. The presence of both alphabets and the plethora of other languages spoken in the former Yugoslavia contributed to the stratification of ethnic groups. This increased division spawned increased nationalism and political disharmony.
Concept: language,
Cause: Politics, nationalism
Rank: 3
There were three main religions observed in the former Yugoslavia: Eastern Orthodox, Muslim and Roman Catholic.
The presence of three conflicting religions in the former Yugoslavia resulted in a great deal of conflict, particularly in Kosovo and Bosnia. Opposing religions identify strictly against one another, creating a feeling of otherness toward those of a different faith. Members of different religions were also heavily split among political lines.
Concept: -Religion, Political Geography
Cause: Religion
Rank: 2
Lifestyles varied drastically in the former Yugoslavia. In the north there are modern cities in the southern valleys life had remained the same for several hundred years.
Traditional vs. Modern values are typically a massive source of tension, even today. Resistance to change in the face of urbanization divided the former Yugoslavia into an urban population and a rural population. This further fueled the political discord taking place at the time.
Cause: Traditional vs. Modern values
Concept:-Political Geography
Rank: 5
5. Bosnia & Herzegovina have over 40 political parties and no predominant nationality. Its 4.4 million people are 40% Muslim, 33% Serbian and 19% Croatian.
The separation of ideologies and diverse group of factions present in one confined space really fosters an environment prone to unrest. The political geography here is so diverse and broken up into small areas and belief systems that quarrel is inevitable. Each group has its own nationalistic views and national pride, leading to potential disputes.
Concept:-Political Geography
Cause: Politics, nationalism
Rank: 8
6. In 1914 when Bosnia had become an Austro-Hungarian province, the assassination in Sarajevo of Archduke Franz Ferdinand by a Bosnian Serb started the First World War.
This event, while catastrophic and technically the final straw breaking the tensions amongst world powers and starting the First World War, was not necessarily the last straw in starting the Yugoslavian Civil War. The motives behind the assassination itself stemmed from Serbian nationalism, and overall tensions in 1914. However in this context, the event serves mostly as a mile marker in the past that can be used to argue against ideologies and other stated opinions of other ethnic groups.
Cause: nationalism, politics
Concept:-Ethnicity
Rank: 30
7. Muslim and Croats allied themselves in Bosnia.
The alignment of the Muslims and Croats together provided the opportunity for a formidable force, one that's very existence escalated the conflict. The fragile alliance did not last, as the Croats blamed increased Islamic policy for the escalation.
Cause:Politics,
Concept:-Religion
Rank: 10
8. Local Serb politicians stated that they would not live in a Muslim state.
The opinions of political leaders tend to carry a hefty amount of weight amongst the public, and they also tend to convey the beliefs of those whom they serve. This statement was important because it showed the lack of tolerance that remained amongst the Serbs. Religious groups played a big part in this because it was a really large part of the problem--the refusal to live in a Muslim state.
Cause: Religion, nationalism, politics
Concept:Religion Ethnicity
Rank: 12
9. In Croatia, local Serbs believed that fascist Croats would repeat Second World War atrocities.
This belief was important because it pitted different religious groups with different political beliefs as well as moral values against each other. With the precedent being set as it was, the local Serbs has no choice but to believe that what took place in the past would take place once again due to what they already witnessed. This belief was one of the main reasons Serbs called for independence.
Cause: nationalism, politics
Concept:-political and ethnic
Rank: 7
10. The EC would not recognize Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina's nations because they are not single territories with well-defined populations that are under an undivided control.
The refusal to allow recognition of these nations was important because the EC determined, based off of the political geography, that they were not fitting of the criteria to gain this status. The ongoing strife fueled by nationalism taking place in these semi-independent states prevented political unity. Without well defined populations and a clear political regime, it was difficult to have true government as well as a cohesive unit under the same set of beliefs. Without all of this, it is difficult to receive recognition or respect from other governing bodies.
Cause: nationalism, politics
Concept:-political geography
Rank: 16
11. The Yugoslavian army was Serbian led and dominated.
As Serbians were prominent in Yugoslavia’s armed forces, much of the Yugoslavian military had a vested interest in protecting and advancing the cause of the Serbs.
Cause of conflict: Politics
Concept: Ethnicity
Rank: 6
12. There are several Serbian enclaves in Croatia that the Yugoslavian army has attempted to liberate by fighting. These enclaves were occupied by the army leaving Croatia's international borders unsettled.
The Serbian controlled Yugoslavian military changed the political geography of the region by creating uncertainty about the Croatian border. This further confused already ill-defined borders and added to the conflict between Croatians and Serbs.
Cause of conflict: Nationalism and Ethnicity
Concept: Political Geography
Rank: 11
13. In Macedonia Albanian minorities have been mistreated.
The abuse of religious and ethnic minorities within the former Yugoslavia was what spurred such unrest among various ethnic groups. Under the Macedonian government, Albanians were thoroughly suppressed and assimilated.
Cause of conflict: Ethnicity
Concept: Ethnicity, language
Rank: 25
14. Kosovo, an autonomous province in Serbia has an Albanian majority.
Kosovo was one of the most disputed territories of the entire conflict. Kosovo declared independence largely because of the differences in economic systems and ethnic makeup, and the treatment of Albanian majority as second class citizens.
Cause of conflict: Ethnicity and Economics
Concept: Political Geography
Rank: 9
15. Europeans have blamed the worst of the Croatian - Serbian conflict on Serbia.
The general opinion of a large group of people being negative towards the Serbian involvement in the conflict was not necessarily that important toward what actually transpired. The opinion of an outside group didn’t lead to the civil war, and it was likely formed based off of nationalism and political agenda.
Cause of conflict: Nationalism
Concept: Ethnicity
Rank: 31
16. Serbia was landlocked at the beginning to the civil war and wanted to take enough Croatian territory to have access to the sea.
Serbia basically wanted to influence their economy in a positive way by having access to the sea and in turn another trading port. They wanted to redraw the territory in order to give them the rights to the access, and used the civil war as an excuse to try to take the land that they wanted. This would tie into the political geography of how Serbia was originally drawn and then how they wanted it to be drawn.
Cause of conflict: Traditional vs Modern Values, economy
Concept: Migration and Political Geography
Rank:13
17. Serbia still favored a communist system and a united Yugoslavia while Croatia favored independence and a free market democratic system.
When two groups clearly diverge and want such drastically different outcomes such as a communist system vs. a capitalist system, there clearly will be a massive conflict. At the heart of this, there is a fundamental difference between groups who differ in opinions about this subject, and with a difference as great as this one, there will be a massive conflict and possible split in order to resolve it.
Cause of conflict: Politics, economics
Concept: Political geography, economy
Rank: 19
18. Serbia wanted to create a greater Serbia by carving out enclaves where Serbians lived in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and adding them to Serbia.
Serbia was clearly inclined to redraw the political geography of the area and was doing so by trying to push their agenda into other areas, and then bringing them all back to be drawn under the umbrella of Serbia as a whole. The nationalism of Serbia was immense, obviously, and steps tried to be taken to bolster their influence both politically, and geographically.
Cause of conflict: Politics nationalism
Concept: Political geography
Rank: 14
19. There are in excess of 600,000 war refugees in Yugoslavia.
With the addition of massive amounts of people within the borders of the former Yugoslavia, it would be difficult to continue to enforce laws as well as keep track of so many individuals. It is incredibly hard when borders swell with people, because overpopulation puts strains on nations in countless ways.
Cause of conflict: Nationalism
Concept: Migration
Rank: 15
20. Ilok, a village in central Croatia, had a population that was primarily German and Jewish in 1930. One thousand nine hundred Slovaks emigrated to Ilok in the 19th century. Under the Turks, Ilok was a Muslim settlement, previously it was Catholic.
The arrival of a large amount of migrants to Ilok who carried a different belief system than the population previously living there could create a lot of tension in day to day life. Similarly to the concept of succession we have gone over in class and talked about a lot in the book, when one group comes and overtakes another, there are tensions revolving around this kind of situation in Ilok. However, the amount of migrants weren’t necessarily high enough for succession to actually occur, rather, the sentiment of uneasiness was definitely there.
Cause of conflict: Religion and Nationalism
Concept: Migration
Rank: 28
21. Croatia's constitutional guarantees for its minorities are weak.
Politically, it is very important to account for all sorts of things. Especially all groups of people living within your state. With Croatia’s lack of care for minorities, it provides an atmosphere in which people feel as though they might not have much left to lose if their rights are being infringed upon, and therefore begin fighting back even stronger against potential opposition and unfair treatment. Basically, the lack of constitutional guarantees left the minorities feeling unappreciated and very much on edge leading up to the civil war conflict.
Cause of Conflict: Politics, Ethnicity
Concept: Political Geography, Ethnicity, Religion
Rank: 17
22. Greeks view Macedonian independence as a claim on their own territory of the same name and have asked Macedonia to change its name.
The distribution of territory was a strong point of contention throughout the civil conflict. Different political entities with varying interests all vied for the same land, causing rifts between groups.
Cause of Conflict: Politics, Nationalism
Concept: Political Geography
Rank: 26
23. Macedonia will not stay in the Yugoslavian federation without the Croats and Slovenians to check the "bossiness" of the Serbs.
Ultimatums such as this call politics and obviously ethnicity into the discussion. Macedonia’s unwillingness to remain in a political agreement with “allies” of a sort to protect their interests over a group fighting to diminish their prosperity proves that there were some political relations taking place within the federation in order to maintain order and control over the situation, and to keep tensions at a low. These different groups clearly have tensions, however it is important to note that there was a political attempt to quell the feuds.
Cause of Conflict: Politics
Concept: Political Geography, Ethnicity
Rank: 23
24. Forty percent of Macedonia's population is Albanian. Albanians in Macedonia claim they are treated like second-class citizens. Albanians have voted for autonomy in eastern Macedonia.
The human rights conditions around the world are very important and vital topics of discussion amongst many groups. When certain ethnic groups feel as though they are being treated unfairly, especially based off of political restrictions and actions, then it is clear that this group will probably fight for recognition through their political system. The vote for autonomy in Macedonia speaks to the political involvement and acceptance of nationalism rather than immediate rejection of the state amongst the group, but a clear cry for change.
Cause of Conflict: Nationalism, Politics,
Concept: Ethnicity
Rank: 18
25. There is a Serb minority in Macedonia.
The presence of another ethnic minority in Macedonia, a republic known for its discrimination against Albanians, added another set of interests to contend against the other ethnic groups in the region.
Cause of Conflict: Ethnicity, nationalism
Concept: Ethnicity
Rank: 27
26. Until 1989 Yugoslavia had been a democracy for a total of only eleven years. Yugoslavia also has a tradition of authoritarian rule as a part of the Ottoman Empire, the Austria-Hungary Empire and as a communist state.
A major reason for the civil conflict was political instability. As the former Yugoslavia had only tentative democratic political infrastructure, it was ill equipped to deal with the complex political, ethnic, and religious conflicts that sprung up over the republic.
Cause of Conflict: politics, nationalism
Concept: political
Rank: 24
27. During the 1980s the gap between communist economies and capitalist economies became a wide chasm. IN communist nations economic growth was slow, technology backwards and shortages chronic.
When times get hard economically, the nation’s growth and prosperity is often stifled. It’s very difficult to have a prosperous population under communist rule, as capitalism and a free-trade economy are the keys to progress in almost all spheres of society. Watching this shift during the 1980’s was clear foreshadowing to the fate of many nations around the world.
Cause of Conflict: economic
Concept: traditional vs modern
Rank: 21
28. Anti-Semitism was strong in Croatia and Slovakia during the 1930s and 1940s and the Nazis were welcome there. Croats sided with the Germans against the Serbs during the war.
The presence of existing religious and ethnic tensions in the former Yugoslavia fueled the civil conflict. Fear that old wars between groups would be rekindled prompted the action of some factions.
Cause of Conflict: Religion, politics, and nationalism
Concept: religion, ethnicity
Rank: 22
29. Under Tito the constitution of 1974 protected other republics from Serbian hegemony. Since Tito's death there had been a gradual decentralization of government.
Since Tito passed acts to protect republics from Serbian hegemony when he dies these acts were contradicted and then these acts were overruled. Therefore the people affected by these acts were threatened and had reason to retaliate. When people realized that times were changing, they wanted to take action against the injustices they felt.
Cause of Conflict: Politics
Concept: political geography
Rank: 18
30. Serbia defeated the Turks in Kosovo in 1389 giving the Serbs a feeling of ownership of the region. However, Kosovo is the cradle of Albanian nationalism in Yugoslavia.
National and ethnic pride gave multiple ethnic groups feelings of sovereignty over certain parts of the former Yugoslavia, leading to frequent border disputes.
Cause of Conflict: Political geography, nationalism
Concept: ethnicity
Rank: 20
31. In 1990 the annual inflation rate in Yugoslavia was 2600%. Unemployment was in excess of 20%, the national debt was in excess of $23 billion, internal debt was over $14 billion and personal income had fallen by over 20% over the preceding ten years.
Nations are incredibly more prone to conflict and unrest when their economy is in turmoil. The state in which Yugoslavia found itself in 1990 was far less than ideal, and it contributed to a lot of turmoil on the individual level and even more so on a national level. This allowed for people to slip into poverty, and as they were unable to provide for their families in a continuously declining political state, crisis began to arise.
Cause of Conflict: economics
Concept: Politics
Rank: 4
Sources: http://www.academia.edu/2944230/Language_and_political_destruction._The_case_of_Yugoslavia
http://staff.lib.msu.edu/sowards/balkan/lect25.htm
https://academic.evergreen.edu/g/grossmaz/Yugoslavia1989.jpg
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