Croats and Serbs: difference, history of the conflict, interesting facts and character traits

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:46

It's hard to believe, but there were no extreme disagreements between the Balkan Slavs. Until the 19th century, the most friendly nations were precisely the Croats and Serbs. The difference still existed, but only religious! Croats were under the domineering influence of Italy, Austria during the entire period of the Middle Ages. The first Croatian settlements appeared on the territory of the Mediterranean in the 7th century.

These events are connected with the search for the salvation of the Slavic tribes from the Avars, Germans and Huns, scattered throughout the country. Most of all, the Slavs chose the possessions of today's Zagreb with its adjacent territories. However, they did not manage 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 a considerable force to create a cohesive state. Even to this day, the Croatian people like to draw attention to their Christianity. The initial period of recovery did not last long, until internal divisions became a threat tostate unity. Then the noble community in 1102 recognized Kalman I, the Hungarian king, as their sovereign. As a result, Croatia became part of the Kingdom of Hungary. At the same time, the parties agreed that Kalman would leave the administrative and political structure and aristocratic privileges unchanged.

The oppression of the Hungarian kingdom

Being under the control of Hungary, the Croats had to share a lot of difficult historical changes with this kingdom. Undoubtedly, the most significant damage was caused by the attacks of the Ottomans. Due to the fact that these advances were constantly moving north, the Hungarian government in 1553 militarized the border areas of Slovenia and Croatia. The tense military situation lasted for 25 years. During this time, most residents have moved to safer areas.

However, the Turkish army, led by the Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Great, broke through the defenses. 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 the Bosnian surroundings remained in their possession.

Unity and strife between the two Slavic peoples

Under the influence of the Austrians and Hungarians, the Croats quietly lost their national identity. However, both Croats and Serbs experienced the same feeling of contempt for the Turkish invaders. The difference existed only in one thing - the discrepancy between traditions. However, the feeling of hatred for the usurper was muchstronger than minor differences in custom. Examples of military unity between Croatian and Serbian rebels are innumerable! Together they fought against the sworn Ottoman occupiers, as well as against the equally repulsive Habsburgs.

In 1918, a favorable situation arose - the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The event that took place made it possible for the southern lands to detach. This is how the united kingdom of Yugoslavia was formed. In principle, the displacement of the Turks and the formation of a separate kingdom should have brought the Slavic peoples even closer. However, the opposite happened…

The cause of the first conflicts

The first bursts of rivalry appeared after the end of the second Russian-Turkish war. It was then that the true story of the conflict between Serbs and Croats began! The need for the reconstruction of the Balkans turned into an ongoing feud to this day.

In fact, two counter currents appear simultaneously, rapidly gaining recognition. Serbian minds put forward the concept of a "Greater Yugoslavia". Moreover, the system center must be formed in Serbia. The reaction to this statement was the appearance of the nationalist publication "Name of the Serb", written by the dashing hand of Ante Starčević.

Undoubtedly, these events have been developing for a long time. However, to this day there is an insurmountable barrier that the Croats and Serbs cannot resolve between themselves. The difference between the two fraternal peoples is distortedly manifested even in the understanding of the most pressing issue for them. If for a Serb the guest is the one who is fed by the host, then fora Croat is the one who feeds the owner.

Father of the Croatian nation

Ante Starcevic first gave 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 manage the Balkan slaves. What a terrible irony of fate! The mother of the "father of the Croatian nation" was Orthodox, and the 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 the Jew Joseph Frank. Although Ante Starcevic had a deep disgust for this nation. Joseph himself also became a nationalist of the Croats, having converted to Catholicism.

As you can see, the guy's author's fantasy has developed limitlessly. There is one sad thing about this story. Starcevic's delusional parting words resonated in the hearts of Croatian youth. As a result, a series of Serbian pogroms swept across Dalmatia and Slavonia at the beginning of the century. At that time, it would never have occurred to anyone that Croats were artificially converted Serbs!

For example, under the leadership of the "father of the nation" from 1 to 3 September in 1902, together with his friend Frank, the Croats in Karlovac, Slavonski Brod, Zagreb destroyed Serbian shops and workshops. They uninvitedly broke into houses, threw away personal belongings, and beat them.

The unsteady world of the united kingdom

One of the results of the First World War was the emergence of a united kingdom. Many historical data confirm the involvement of the Serbs in the violentrejection of the Slovenes and Croats inside the kingdom.

Economy in Slovenia, Croatia was more developed. So they, in turn, asked a fair question. Why is it necessary to feed the wretched metropolis? It is much better to form your own autonomous state, living happily ever after. In addition, for a Serb, every Orthodox Slav has always been and will remain a stranger!

Croatian genocide

The existence of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia did not last long - the Second World War began. In 1941, on April 6, German planes attacked Belgrade. Just two days later, the Nazi army had already captured the area. During the war, Ante Pavelić's Ustaše association gained fanatical popularity. Croatia became a German mercenary.

Belgrade historians are sure that the approximate number of those killed by the Ustashe is 800 thousand Gypsies, Jews and Serbs. Only 400 people were able to escape to Serbia. The Croats themselves do not refute this number, but claim that most of them are partisans who died with weapons in their hands. The Serbs, in turn, are sure that 90% of the victims are civilians.

If today a tourist accidentally ends up on Serbian soil, it is possible that the hosts will show a loyal interest in the guest. The Croatian side is the opposite! Even despite the absence of cumbersome 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 and Serbs are. The features of the characters are most pronounced in the mentality of these twopeoples.

Nazis and martyrs

After the end of the war, Yugoslavia was under the influence of the USSR. The new state was headed by Josip Broz Tito, who ruled with an iron fist 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 gradually occur, in which Croats and Serbs suffered the most. The difference between the two once brotherly peoples has again been reduced to irreconcilable enmity.

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 is due solely to the suffering and military victories of the Serbs. The Serbs, in turn, were not going to compromise with those who had only recently taken off their Austrian uniform. In addition, decisively, and at times even ruthlessly fighting on the side of Austria, the Croats never crossed over to the Serbian side. Unlike Slovaks, Czechs.

War inside the country

Later, at the beginning of 1990, the collapse of the USSR occurred, during which the final split of Yugoslavia followed. As a result, Croatia, having declared independence, seceded 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. Serbian and Yugoslav armies invaded Croatia, capturing Dubrovnikand Vukovar.

Nevertheless, we will try to impartially look at the outbreak of the conflict, without dividing into “left” and “right”. Croats and Serbs. What's the Difference? If we talk about religious motives, we can say with confidence that some are Catholics, while others are Orthodox. However, this is the fate of inter-church conflicts, the main purpose of which is exclusively the prosperity of confessions. Therefore, one should not forget that the Croats and the Serbs are, first of all, two fraternal peoples who were pitted throughout the 20th century by their common enemies.

The term "Patriotic War" in Croatia

Croats have a civil war called the Patriotic War. In addition, they are extremely offended if someone calls her differently. Against this background, not so long ago, even an international scandal broke out with Switzerland. The country has banned Croatian singer Marko Perkovich Thompson from entering its territory. It was alleged that Marco incites interracial, religious hatred with his speeches.

When the Swiss recklessly used the name "Civil War" in the text, they caused a flurry of emotions from the Croatian ministry. In response, the Croatian side sent a letter of protest, bypassing its president Stjepan Mesić. Naturally, such an act aroused just indignation in him. In addition, the president did not like the fact that Croatian officials defended the hated Thompson, who indeed was repeatedly seen in inciting conflicts. However, when it comes to 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. Firstly, the internecine conflicts that broke out in the united Yugoslavia laid the foundation. In addition, the Serbs who rebelled against the Croatian leadership were the actual citizens of this country.

Secondly, the war for Croatian autonomy was fought only at first. When Croatia received international status of independence, the war continued anyway. However, this time the issue of resuming the territorial unity of Croatia was being resolved. On top of that, this war had a clear religious connotation. However, is there one but in this story that does not allow to name the civil war, in which only Croats and Serbs participated?

History, as you know, is built solely on hard facts! And they say that the Southern People's Army (JNA) acted as the real aggressor of Croatia. In addition, Croatia was still part of Yugoslavia, where two Croatian figures formally dominated - President Stjepan Mesic together with Prime Minister Ante Markovic. By the beginning of the attack on Vukovar, the Yugoslav army was already legally on the territory of Croatia. Therefore, the invasion that took place cannot be called aggression from outside.

However, the Croatian side absolutely does not want to admit that the JNA has never represented the interests of Serbia. Prior to the attack on Vukovar on 25 August 1991, the JNA acted as the opposing side. Subsequently, the Yugoslav army becamerepresent only their generals, as well as a small part of the communist leadership.

Is Croatia guilty?

Even after the withdrawal of Yugoslav troops from Eastern Slavonia, Western Sriem and Baranya, the JNA still continued its attacks on Croatia. Particularly Dubrovnik. Moreover, pronounced aggression was manifested from Bosnia, Herzegovina, and Montenegro. It is important to know that Bosnian Serbs also participated in the attack. Croatia, in turn, also fought against the Army of the Serbian Republic in the territory of Herzegovina, Bosnia.

According to experts, at least 20 thousand people became victims of the war, which lasted for four years, on the Balkan Peninsula. Thanks to the assistance of the UN, together with other international organizations, the war in Croatia was stopped in 1995. Today, all talk is about the return of refugees, who, in turn, talk more about the return than they are going to do it.

Undoubtedly, Serbian-Croatian relations today are far from cloudless. Mutual clashes continue to this day. Especially in those areas that suffered the most from the hostilities. However, the unhe althy demonization of the Croatian people, which was carried out throughout the 90s and continues by some now, does not coincide with reality at all!