It is hard to believe, but there were no extreme disagreements between the Balkan Slavs. Until the 19th century, it was the Croats and Serbs who were the most friendly peoples. The difference still existed, but only religious! The Croats were under the imperious influence of Italy, Austria throughout the entire Middle Ages. The first Croatian settlements arose in the Mediterranean in the 7th century.
These events are related to the search for the salvation of Slavic tribes from Avars, Germans and Huns scattered throughout the country. Most of all the Slavs have chosen the possessions of today's Zagreb with its surrounding territories. However, they failed to get to the prosperous lands of the coast, which was under the leadership of the Romans. Then the Slavs created several autonomous principalities.
Croatia as part of Hungary
Closer to the X century, the Croats enlisted the assistance of Byzantium, gathered considerable strength to create a united state. Even to this day, the Croatian people love to focus on their Christianity. The initial period of recovery did not last long, until internal divisions became a threat to state unity. Then the noble community in 1102 recognized as their sovereign Kalman I, the Hungarian king. As a result, Croatia became part of the Kingdom of Hungary. At the same time, the parties agreed that Kalman would leave the administrative-political structure and aristocratic privileges unchanged.
The oppression of the Hungarian kingdom
Being under the control of Hungary, the Croats had to share many difficult historical changes with this kingdom. Undoubtedly, the Ottoman attacks inflicted the most significant damage. Due to the fact that these offensives were continuously moving north, the Hungarian government in 1553 militarized the border territories of Slovenia and Croatia. Intense military condition lasted for 25 years. During this time, most of the residents moved to safer areas.
However, the Turkish army led by the Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Great broke through the defense. Moreover, the army was able to approach the gates of Vienna, but failed to capture the city itself. In 1593, the battle of Sisak forced the Ottomans to leave the conquered Croatian lands. Only Bosnian surroundings remained in their possession.
Unity and strife of two Slavic peoples
Under the influence of the Austrians and Hungarians, the Croats imperceptibly lost their national identity. However, both Croats and Serbs experienced a feeling of united contempt for the Turkish invaders. There was only one difference - the inconsistency of traditions. However, the hatred of the usurper was much stronger than insignificant differences in customs. There are no examples of the military unity of the Croatian and Serbian rebels! Together they fought with the sworn Ottoman invaders, as well as with the equally disobedient Habsburgs.
In 1918, a favorable situation arose - the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The event made it possible to disconnect the southern lands. Thus formed a single kingdom of Yugoslavia. In principle, the crowding out of the Turks and the formation of a separate kingdom should have brought Slavic peoples even closer together. However, the opposite happened …
The cause of the first conflicts
The first outbursts of rivalry appeared after the end of the second Russo-Turkish war. It was then that the true story of the conflict between Serbs and Croats began! The need for reconstruction of the Balkans has turned into a hostility to this day.
In fact, at the same time appear, rapidly gaining recognition, two running counter to the current. Serbian minds put forward the concept of "Great Yugoslavia." Moreover, the system center must be formed precisely in Serbia. The reaction to this statement was the appearance of the nationalist publication "Name of the Serb", written by Ante Starchevich with a dashing hand.
Undoubtedly, these events have been developing for a long time. However, to this day there is an insurmountable obstacle that the Croats and Serbs cannot resolve among themselves. The difference between the two fraternal nationalities is distorted even in understanding the most pressing issue for them. If for the Serb the guest is the one whom the owner feeds, then for the Croat, it is the one who feeds the owner.
Father of the croatian nation
Ante Starchevich was the first to introduce the idea that Croats are not Slavs! Like, they are the offspring of the Germans, who hastily became Slavic-speaking, because in this way they want to better lead the Balkan slaves. What a terrible irony of fate! The mother of the “father of the Croatian nation” was Orthodox, and her father was a Catholic.
Despite the fact that the parents were Serbs, the son became the ideological leader of Croatia, spreading the concept of the Serb genocide in his country. It is noteworthy that his closest friend was a Jew, Joseph Frank. Although Ante Starchevich was deeply disgusted by this nation. Joseph himself also became a Croat nationalist, adopting Catholicism.
As you can see, the author’s fantasy developed unlimitedly in the guy. The sad thing about this story is one. The delirious parting words of Starcevic responded to the hearts of Croatian youth. As a result, a series of Serbian pogroms swept through Dalmatia and Slavonia at the beginning of the century. At that time, it would never have occurred to anyone that the Croats are artificially remade Serbs!
For example, under the leadership of the “father of the nation”, from September 1 to 3, 1902, together with his friend Frank, the Croats in Karlovac, Slavonski Brod, Zagreb destroyed Serbian shops and workshops. They invaded the houses uninvitedly, threw out personal property, beaten.
The shaky world of the united kingdom
One of the results of World War I was the emergence of a united kingdom. Many historical data confirm the involvement of Serbs in the fierce rejection of Slovenes and Croats inside the kingdom.
The economy in Slovenia, Croatia was more developed. Therefore, they, in turn, were asking a fair question. Why do you need to feed a poor metropolis? Where is it better to form your own autonomous state, living happily ever after. In addition, for the Serb, every Orthodox Slav has always been and will remain alien!
Croatian genocide
The existence of the kingdom of Yugoslavia did not last long - the Second World War began. In 1941, on April 6, German aircraft attacked Belgrade. After only two days, the Nazi army already captured this territory. During the war, the unification of the Ustasha Ante Pavelich gained fanatic popularity. Croatia became a German mercenary.
Belgrade historians believe that the estimated number of Ustashs killed is 800, 000 Roma, Jews and Serbs. Only 400 people were able to escape to Serbia. The Croats themselves do not refute this number, but argue that most of them are partisans who died with weapons in their hands. The Serbs, in turn, are confident that 90% of the victims are civilians.
If today a tourist accidentally finds himself on Serbian soil, it is possible that the owners will show a loyal interest in the guest. The Croatian side is the opposite! Even despite the absence of bulky Asian barriers, gates any illegal appearance in their personal space is perceived as a manifestation of rudeness. Based on this information, one can clearly imagine who the Croats are, the Serbs. Character traits are most pronounced in the mentality of these two peoples.
Nazis and martyrs
After the war ended, Yugoslavia came under the influence of the USSR. The new state was headed by Josip Broz Tito, who ruled with an iron hand until his death. At the same time, Tito did not take the advice of his closest comrade Moshe Piade, deliberately mixing the indigenous population of Slovenia and Croatia with the Serbs. After 1980, due to political and territorial conflicts in Yugoslavia, a split began to occur, in which Croats and Serbs were most affected. The distinction between the two once fraternal peoples was again reduced to irreconcilable hostility.
Croats who fought for federalism even under the Habsburgs did not want to adapt to the Serbs. Also, the Croats did not want to admit that the very birth of the southern Slavic state owed exclusively to the suffering and military victories of the Serbs. The Serbs, in turn, were not going to compromise with those who had just recently taken off their Austrian uniform. In addition, decisively, and sometimes even ruthlessly, the Croats fighting on the side of Austria never crossed to the Serbian side. Unlike Slovaks, Czechs.
Domestic war
Later, in the beginning of 1990, the USSR collapsed, during which the final split of Yugoslavia followed. As a result, Croatia, having declared independence, disconnected from the country. However, the Serbs in Croatia themselves fomented inter-territorial clashes within the country. After a short time, this led to a brutal civil war. The Serbian and Yugoslav armies invaded the territory of Croatia, capturing Dubrovnik and Vukovar.
Nevertheless, we will try to impartially look at the conflict that has arisen, without dividing it into “left” and “right”. Croats and Serbs. What's the Difference? If we talk about religious motives, we can confidently say that some are Catholics, while others are Orthodox. However, this is the lot of inter-church conflicts, the main purpose of which is exclusively the prosperity of faiths. Therefore, do not forget that the Croats with the Serbs are primarily two fraternal peoples, who were pitted by their common enemies throughout the 20th century.
The term "World War II" in Croatia
For Croats, the civil war is called the Patriotic War. In addition, they are extremely offended if someone calls her otherwise. Against this background, not so long ago, even an international scandal broke out with Switzerland. The country banned Croatian singer Marko Perkovich Thompson from entering its territory. It was argued that Marco incited interracial, religious hatred with his speeches.
When the Swiss recklessly used the name “Civil War” in the text, this caused a flurry of emotions in the Croatian ministry. In response, the Croatian side sent a letter of protest bypassing its president Stepan Mesic. Naturally, such an act caused him a fair outrage. In addition, the president did not like the fact that Croatian officials defended the hated Thompson, who was indeed repeatedly seen in inciting conflicts. However, when the question is about the exact wording, you can close your eyes to the rest.
The culprit of the new war is the Yugoslav army
Undoubtedly, the war was largely civil. First, internecine conflicts broke out in the united Yugoslavia. In addition, the Serbs, who rebelled against the Croatian leadership, were the actual citizens of this country.
Secondly, the war for Croatian autonomy was waged only in the first time. When Croatia gained international independence, the war continued anyway. However, this time the issue of renewing the territorial unity of Croatia was being decided. On top of that, this war bore a distinct religious connotation. However, is there not one thing in this story that does not give a name to a civil war in which only Croats and Serbs participated?
History, as you know, is built solely on irrefutable facts! And they say that the Southern People's Army (UNA) acted as the true aggressor of Croatia. In addition, Croatia continued to be part of Yugoslavia, where two Croatian leaders formally dominated - President Stepan Mesic, together with Prime Minister Ante Markovic. By the beginning of the offensive on Vukovar, the Yugoslav army was already legally located on the territory of Croatia. Therefore, the invasion that has occurred cannot be called external aggression.
However, the Croatian side absolutely does not want to admit that the JNA has never represented the interests of Serbia. Before the attack on Vukovar on August 25, 1991, JNA acted as the opposing side. Subsequently, the Yugoslav army began to represent only its generals, as well as an insignificant part of the communist leadership.
