The small country of Yugoslavia has seen a lot since it was formed. Undergoing many breakups, reformations, and interventions, Yugoslavia has been in turmoil almost from when it began. The Cold War, taking place just after World War II, played a major part in this. The Cold War was an indirect war between the US and the USSR, including indirect fighting, nuclear weapon threats, and even a race to space. While no actual conflict occurred, it came close. Yugoslavia, a small country in the east, made its debut as a socialist country but eventually collapsed in in itself; while today a successful Yugoslav Republic stands in its place.
From the beginning, Yugoslavia had a bright future. Yugoslavia broke away from the Soviet Union with hope and promise, forming a new socialist government. This was led by Josip Tito in 1948, who went on to be their leader. Socialism was accepted in the Middle East as an in-between of both the harsh capitalism and communism of the time. Then, in 1950, a “self management” system was introduced. Elected officials would preside in worker’s councils and control management functions, which was a more efficient way to run the economy, making Yugoslavia more self-reliant and independent. Once self management began to take effects, Yugoslavia skyrocketed. On the outside, Yugoslavia thrives on a global scale, but was actually beginning its crash inward. There were low employment rates and large wage differences. However, even with some losses, Yugoslavia thrived. Northern Yugoslavian republics developed quickly under socialism, while southern republics that were more rural and undeveloped, had a chance to “catch up” with the modern world. But, as it’s been proven in the past, all good things have to come to an end. Wage gaps and unemployment were only the beginning of the downfall of Yugoslavia.
“So dawn goes down to day / Nothing gold can stay.” This iconic line from a poem by Robert Frost nicely captured the next phase of the life of Yugoslavia. Things only went downhill after Josip Tito died in 1980, when a constitution took virtually all power away from the federal government and gave it to the states and republics. From then on, many things started to chip away at the stability of Yugoslavia. Communism fell in Eastern Europe, and the US took away most of the support it was providing, due to its focus on the Cold War. During the turmoil, a man by the name of Slobodan Milosevic rose to the top of Serbian government. With the “amazing” power of nationalism, he integrated several other provinces into Serbia. Serbia then declared independence from Yugoslavia, along with a few other provinces in the 1990s according to the US state department. This went mainly unnoticed by the US, again because the USSR was over there scheming. Wars in Bosnia and Herzegovina claimed many lives and contributed to what was coming next. Because of the collapse in the economy and all the states, republics and provinces seceding, Yugoslavia broke apart in January of 1992. The new parts were Croatia, Serbia, Slovenia, Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Serbia and Montenegro formed the new Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, that stands today. Miloslavic eventually lost power in Serbia due to the crumbling economy. He was eventually arrested and killed. Overall, after calm must come the storm. But, like a phoenix rising from the ashes, Yugoslavia did have a future.
Today, The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia quietly exists without much happening. The FRY consists of Serbia and Montenegro with a capital of Belgrade. According to BBC news, the current population is 9.8 million people. The main religion in Yugoslavia is Christianity, followed with Orthodox Judaism and Islam. The main language is Serbian, which may come as a surprise. The main revenue generator is exports, mainly of manufactured goods, food, live animals and machinery. Not much has been heard from the FRY, having peace and stability today.
Overall, Yugoslavia has had a rich history, from progress to breakups to peace. Despite losing support and stability, Yugoslavia sailed into prosperity with flying colors. Even when catastrophe struck, the country was still able to be rebuilt. The Cold War played part in the history of Yugoslavia, instigating the breakup with indirect wars and the sudden withdrawal of support. The story of Yugoslavia is an inspiring one, one of progress, resilience and independence. They made it through the fire, and still made it out on top.
Originally published 15.10.2019