Breakup of YugosloviaBy: Ryan Matzkow

Background First formed as a kingdom in 1918

Created a socialist state in 1945 after Axis Powers were defeated in World War II

Was established with 6 republics in a federation

Included: Bosnia, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Slovenia

1991-1992 Nationalism started to overtake communism

Slovenia and Croatia were first to break away

This caused conflict with Serbia

War in Croatia led to thousands of deaths

Conflict then broke out in Bosnia which they then declared independence

In 1993, Bosnian Muslim government was taken over by Bosnian Serb forces who controlled 70% of Bosnia

1995 Dayton Peace Deal Created 2 self governing bodies within Bosnia

One government was Bosnian Serb Republic

One was Muslim Croat Federation

Had their own governments, parliaments, and armies

Nato peacekeeping for was in charge of implementing the military aspects of the deal

1999 Kosovo Intervention Kosovo Liberation Army came out in rebellion against Serbian rule

Threats of military action over crisis culminated in Nato air strikes in 1999

Strikes focused on military targets

Thousands of innocents died from strikes

Serbia and Montenegro relations diminished

2000-2003 Milosevic Ousted Yugoslavia disappeared from map in 2000

Replaced by Serbia and Montenegro

Arrangement met under pressure from EU to stop Montenegro getting full independence

Conflict between Serbs and Albanians erupted in 2000 but later tensions went away

Inner ethnic violence broke out in former Macedonia involving an Albanian minority

2006 Death of Milosevic Leader of old Yugoslavia/new Serbia and Montenegro

Died March 11, 2006

Tried for genocide right before death

Buried in Serbian hometown

No leader grew tensions again

Montenegro voted for independence in May 2006

Montenegro’s Prime Minister has since led a campaign for independence to this day