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The region formely known as Yugoslavia (when I was at School) is no stranger to conflict. The Ottoman Turks invaded in the 14th century dominating for 500 years until the strengthening Austro-Hungarian empire from the north at the end of the 17th century initiated changes in boundaries.
Serbia, Montenegro and Romania became independent, the principality of Bulgaria was created. Slovenia, Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina were under Austro-Hungarian rule. Ethnically and culturally each state also independant.
1912 - Bulkan war breaks out as Ottoman empire weakens, Montenegrin troops move into Ottoman territory, Serbia, Bulgaria and Greece join the war and drive the Turks out of Kosovo, Macedonia and Albania, which declare independence. Later the Serbs turn against the Bulgarians and occupy Kosovo as well as Macedonia.
1914 - WWI triggered when Austro-Hungarian empire heir Franz Ferdinand assasinated by a Serb nationalist on a visit where Ferdinand was attempting to align with southern Slavs and quell the unrest.
1920 - The Versailles peace treaty following WWI defines a new state boundary to be known as The Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes. Romania, Bulgaria and Albania remain independent.
1929 - King Alexander I changes name to Yugoslavia - land of the southern Slavs. Serbs dominate the government.
1934 Croats preferred independence and rising anti-Serb movement leads to Alexander's death.
1941 - WWII, German troops invade and chaos ensues with conflicts between all the Bulkan states and their neighbours, and various nationalist and communist groups within the states. Widespread atrocities committed by all sides.
1945 - Socialist Yugoslavia declared by Tito. Federation of six republics - Croatia, Montenegro, Serbia (Kosovo and Vojvodina), Slovenia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Macedonia.
1980 - Marshall Tito dies
1991 - Slovenia and Croatia declare independence from Yugoslavia. Yugoslav army attacks Slovenia then withdraws after a 10-day war.
1992 Federation falls apart. Nationalism replaces communism. Bosnia-Herzegovina declares independence, Serbs living there force Bosnian Muslims from their homes. Bosnian Croats also begin to fight Muslim Bosnians. UN peacekeepers try to intervene.
1995 'Dayton' agreement creates self-governing entities within Bosnia - the Bosnian Serb Republic and the Muslim-Croat Federation. Croatia takes back territory taken earlier by Serbia.
1998 - Kosovo Liberation Army rebells against Serbian rule in what is left of Slobodan Milosevic's Yugoslavia (Serbia, Kosovo and Montenegro).
1999 - NATO launches air-strikes in Serbia and Kosovo to attempt to end the conflict. Albanian refugees pour out of Kosovo. Tension increases between Serbia and Montenegro.
2000 - Slobodan Milosevic loses presidential election, handed over to UN warcrimes tribunal. Kosovo becomes UN protectorate.
2001 - inter-ethnic violence in Macedonia involving Albanian minority
2003 - New state of Serbia and Montenegro declared, Yugoslavia is no more. Montenegrins plan referendum on independence for 2006.
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See Also: Modern Conflict | Notes Index