Kingdom of Yugoslavia

country in southeastern Europe, 1929–1945

The Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes later known as the Kingdom of Yugoslavia was a state in south-eastern and central Europe which existed from 1918 until 1941. In 1903, King Alexander I of Serbia was murdered and replaced with Peter I of Serbia. After this, Serbia became more nationalist. Tensions with Austria-Hungary heightened when it conquered Bosnia in 1908. During this period Serbia managed to extend its borders and reconquer Kosovo and North Macedonia from the Ottoman Empire. Many Serbian nationalists wanted to create a unified state for the Slavs of the Balkans. Covert gangs attempted to assassinate Austro-Hungarian officials, like the Bosnian governor. In June 1914, a Bosnian Serb called Gavrilo Princip killed Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo, Bosnia. This event eventually led to World War I.[1]

Yugoslavia
Југославија
Jugoslavija
1918–1941
Flag of Yugoslavia
  • Top: Civil
  • Bottom State
Anthem: "Himna Kraljevine Jugoslavije"

The Kingdom of Yugoslavia
The Kingdom of Yugoslavia
Capital
and largest city
Belgrade
44°49′N 20°27′E / 44.817°N 20.450°E / 44.817; 20.450
Official languagesSerbo-Croatian
Macedonian
Slovene
Demonym(s)Yugoslav
GovernmentMonarchy
Details
Historical era20th century
• Creation
1 December 1918
6 April 1941
CurrencyYugoslav dinar
Calling code38
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Serbia
Montenegro
Austro-Hungarian Bosnia and Herzegovina
Croatia-Slavonia
Carniola
Dalmatia
Fiume
German-occupied Serbia
Italian governorate of Montenegro
Independent State of Croatia
Kingdom of Italy
Kingdom of Bulgaria
Kingdom of Hungary
Italian protectorate of Albania
Nazi Germany
Yugoslav
govt.-in-exile
Today part of Bosnia and Herzegovina
 Croatia
 Kosovo
 Montenegro
 North Macedonia
 Serbia
 Slovenia

History

change

Creation

change

Yugoslavia came into existence in 1918 after World War I. Most of its northern territories were given to it from Austria-Hungary when it collapsed during the war. Its territories were reconquered by Serbia from the Ottoman Empire during the Balkan Wars (1912–13). The reigning king in Serbia became the king of all Yugoslavia.

For ten years, it was known as the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes.[2] It began using the name 'Yugoslavia' in 1929. The name 'Yugoslavia' is Serbo-Croatian for 'Land of the Southern Slavs'. The Kingdom was invaded by the Axis Powers in 1941 and quickly fell during World War II. A Federal Democratic Republic was declared in 1943 with the King's approval, but the monarchy was abolished shortly after.[3]

References

change
  1. Rujević, Nemanja (28 July 2014). "Serbia, WWI, and the question of guilt". Deustche Welle. on the Web. Retrieved 23 December 2019.
  2. "Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes - Historical kingdom, Balkans [1918-1929]". Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica. January 25, 2011.
  3. "Yugoslavia - former federated nation (1929-2003)". Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica. 22 February 2019.