Lecture on the Formation and History of Yugoslavia

Pre-World War I Context

• 19th Century Background
  • Serbia was the only independent Slavic state in the region.
  • Influenced by the unification of Italy, Serbia aspired for a strong, independent South Slavic nation.
  • Desire for unification echoed by Slavic peoples in the Ottoman Empire and Austria-Hungary.

Early 20th Century Developments

• Balkan Wars
  • Ottoman Empire weakened by revolts; Balkan League formed.
  • Serbia expanded militarily, gaining territories but faced pushback from Great Powers.
  • Bulgaria's invasion led to the Second Balkan War, resulting in Serbia's expansion and pan-Slavic credentials.

Austria-Hungary and Slavic Nationalism

• Slavic Population
  • Austria-Hungary housed many Slavs: Serbs, Croats, Slovenians, Bosnians.
  • Strong desire for independence from Austrian and Hungarian rule.
• Rise of Yugoslavism
  • Concept of a unified Slavic state became popular.
  • Concerns existed about Serbian rule (House of Karađorđević vs. Habsburgs).

World War I and Formation of Yugoslavia

• Impact of Archduke Ferdinand's Assassination
  • Triggered the break-up of the Habsburg domain.
  • Slavic leaders began planning for a post-war state.
• Corfu Declaration (1917)
  • Meeting of Serbian government with exiled Austro-Hungarian academics.
  • Aimed for a united South Slavic state with equal rights and democracy.
  • Official stance against naming the state "Yugoslavia" at the time.

Post-War Developments

• Collapse of Austria-Hungary
  • South Slavic regions declared independence with Serbia's support.
  • Formation of the State of Slovenes, Croats, and Serbs as a territorial claim.
  • Merged with Serbia despite regional tensions and Italy's territorial gains.

Establishment of Yugoslavia

• State Formation
  • By the early 1930s, the South Slavs established their own country.
  • Officially named Yugoslavia, governed under their own rules.

Conclusion

• Yugoslavia was born from a century-old idea of Slavic unity.
• Its creation was fueled by regional nationalism, war, and political maneuvering.

Acknowledgments

Special thanks to many patrons for their support.