The former Yugoslavia also has a name called "Second Yugoslavia" because it originated from the Kingdom of Yugoslavia (called "First Yugoslavia"). Geographically, the Adriatic Sea in the west, the Black Sea in the east and the Mediterranean Sea in the Balkans in the south have always been the focus of competition among major powers. Historically, most of the Balkan Peninsula was controlled by the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the Ottoman Empire, and the forces of Tsarist Russia also intervened.
After World War I, Austria-Hungary disintegrated, Osman was dismembered, Russia was revolutionized by Lenin, and the Balkans seized the opportunity. Under the call of Slavs, northern Macedonia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro and Slovenia were merged into the Kingdom of Yugoslavia.
During World War II, it was occupied by Germany and Italy, and the Kingdom of Yugoslavia perished. Tito led the Yugoslav guerrillas, fought for four years and established the Federal People's Republic of Yugoslavia in 1945. This country consists of six republics and two autonomous provinces. From 65438 to 0948, Tito could not stand Stalin's oppression, Yugoslavia broke off diplomatic relations with the Soviet Union, and Yugoslavia embarked on the road of independent development.
It only took 10 to 20 years, and the development of Yugoslavia was similar to that of Western Europe, surpassing all socialist countries. How prominent is the development of Yugoslavia?
The economy is rich and highly industrialized. In the 1960s and 1970s, we were still in a difficult period. The TV sets of Yugoslav residents have basically spread all over the country, with one car for every three people (equivalent to one car for every family). Compared with Britain, France and Germany in western Europe at that time, it was not inferior.
The military strength is quite strong. Yugoslavia, with a population of more than 20 million, has an army 1 10,000 and a reserve of nearly 2 million. Its armament ranks among the world's advanced ranks and appropriately ranks among the top ten in the world, so it is known as "one of the strongest in Europe". With its population, area and strength, it is the overlord of the Balkans. Therefore, during the Cold War, Yugoslavia could not but care about the Soviet Union and fear the United States.
Yugoslavia has always been a sports power. Football, volleyball, basketball and water polo in Yugoslavia are very good, especially football, which not only produces great players, but also produces many world-famous coaches. They have the strength to compete with Argentina and Brazil and are known as "Brazil in Eastern Europe".
What makes Yugoslavia show off is the "Non-Aligned Movement" during the Cold War. At that time, Yugoslavia was one of the spokesmen of the Non-Aligned Movement. At that time, more than 1 10 countries participated in the Non-Aligned Movement, including more than half of the world's population and countries. Think about it, Yugoslavia's international influence and appeal at that time were only envied by Germany and Italy today.
Such a bullish country, following the Soviet Union, collapsed. The reason is that the disintegration of Yugoslavia is no different from that of the Soviet Union. They are all made up of national federations, multi-ethnic, multi-religious, and uneven development in various regions. This state structure is quite unstable.