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Yugoslav Disintegration
Despite having its root causes in the Second World War, the main cause of the Yugoslav Wars, including the Croatian War (between 1991-1995), the Bosnian War (between 1992-1995) and the Slovenian War of 1991; was the collapse of nationalism. The War led to over 100 000 individuals’ deaths, and its effects are still demonstrated today. The aftermath of World War II led to the unification of Bosnia, Croatia, Macedonia, Slovenia, Montenegro and Serbia into the People’s Republic of Yugoslavia. Yugoslavia was a communist nation that was led by Josip Broz Tito (Mirković 191). According to Damir Mirkovic, Tito held the states together and checked bot ethnic nationalism and separatism with strict jail sentences. As a result, Tito’s death led to the collapse of ethnic nationalism, which was the main reason that led to the Yugoslavia War.
The fall of ethnic nationalism in Yugoslavia led groups and individuals across the nation to resort to their ethnic and religious identities while reinforcing their sense of belonging to cope with their fear, alienation, uncertainty, and powerlessness. Some nationalists sought to embrace traditional religions or uphold newly introduced religious cults and sects (Mirković 193). Nonetheless, opportunists continued to uphold the spirit of nationalism. The difference in values and the fact that most Yugoslavian was concerned that the increased bureaucratization and the concentration of power among the elites, in addition to the threats of democratization, spurred the rise of the War (Mirković 193). As such, the fall of ethnic nationalism and the fact that most Yugoslavians resorted to embracing different values contributed to the eruption of irrational behavior among the citizens, thereby spurring the War.
Work Cited
Damir, Mirković. Ethnic Conflict and Genocide: Reflections on Ethnic Cleansing in the Former Yugoslavia: The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, Vol. 548, The Holocaust: Remembering for the Future (Nov., 1996), pp. 191-199.