#aboutthebalkans

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5/25 Josip Tito

In former Yugoslavia, Josip Tito was the leader of the communist Yugoslavian state

He collaborated with several governments but maintained neutrality between the Soviet Union, America, and other countries across the world

Poor individuals often describe the communist era as being extremely beneficial, finally being able to have a house, education, medical attention, and other necessities

Wealthier individuals or those with higher degrees and property frown upon the communist era as they lost their property, saw a reduction in their incomes and experienced a higher rate of poverty

In the event of Tito's death, the world's largest funeral was held with the highest number of attendees

Gifts from across the world, leaders, governments, and people were sent in and collected at his former summer home in Serbia

Today, it is a museum where people are able to appreciate the gifts that were sent to him and their historical value

They are also able to pay their respects to his grave and his wife's grave

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5/24 Lecture Notes

CRIME AND IMPRISONMENT IN SERBIA

In 2006, a new criminal code went into enforcement, prior to that they had alternative codes

In 2010, they had a reorganization of their criminal justice system, moving the courts, leading to a decline in their reported crime rates but not a true reduction in crime

European crime statistics report 1,000 average convicted persons per every 10,000; whereas Serbia reports 500

Nordic paradox:

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Structure of reported crimes in 2018:

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An overall decrease in violent crime

Juvenile crimes have significantly increased (ages fourteen through eighteen)

In 2019, criminal code introduced lifetime imprisonment

CRIMINAL PROCEDURE IN SERBIA

Mixed system: adversarial and inquisitorial

They have public prosecutors, hired prosecutors, public defenders, hired defense counsel, police officers, etc.

Prosecutors' main duty is to investigate reported crimes and proceed with sentencing

Police officers assist prosecutors in the investigative phase

Informal and formal investigation phase, informal and formal sentencing phase

All trials are formal and the judge may ask questions of the defense or prosecution

Personal data is used to help shape the sentence recieved

Death penalty is not available

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Sources & Information

As a student looking forward to traveling to the Balkans at the end of May, I am trying to learn more about the history and culture. This blog will reflect what I have learned from various sources, but if I ever get anything wrong, please feel free to reach out to me and let me know!

The sources of my information are normally Culture Atlas, Brittanica, and National Geographic!

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Traveling to the Balkans? Here's Some Do's & Don't's 

DO:

1.) Accept their help or generosity! It's important to their culture to show their hospitality and be welcoming. Just make sure to say thank you and show appreciation.

2.) Ask about their culture! They would love to tell you more about their daily life or answer any of your specific questions. Just make sure not to be insulting, as people in the Balkans are often extremely proud of their culture!

3.) Engage in meaningful discussion about their country's politics and government. Ensure to avoid saying anything insulting about their beliefs, but you may learn something new!

DON'T:

1.) Insult their culture or religion. This means avoiding saying anything negative, or bringing up subjects that may be sensitive such as abortion or divorce.

2.) Insult their pride. This can be in the form of insulting their country, insulting them individually, or mentioning something they have done wrong in public.

3.) Do not presume their ethnicity or religion, and avoid asking unless it is mentioned in discussion.

4.) Do not refer to any of them as "Yugoslavs" or make comparisons between their countries and former Yugoslavia.

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Modern Culture in the Balkans 

BOSNIAN CULTURE

Bosnian people are often regarded as being extremely welcoming, friendly, and helpful. They have a significant focus on a work-life balance, with a high priority on socializing and developing meaningful bonds with family and friends. Furthermore, a large part of their culture is to extend assistance to anyone who may be in need, meaning that they often work together as a community to address issues.

Furthermore, Bosnia embraces people of many different religious and ethnic backgrounds. For example, Bosnian people may practice Islam, Christianity, or Orthodox Catholicism. Their religious practices often relate to their ethnic identity as well, such as Bosniak, Serb, or Croat.

SERBIAN CULTURE

Within Serbia, the people are also extremely welcoming and kind. Their unique focus on the family unit, honor, and loyalty means that often many generations of a family will live together and provide for their needs as a community. Additionally, Serbian people are often very open about their culture and enjoy making jokes and believe that sarcasm and humor are very important to one's personality.

Not unlike Bosnia, their population is also a melting pot of various backgrounds and religious beliefs. Everyone is generally extremely tolerant of one another, but individuals often have strong identities and feelings of nationalism. This has been attributed to the various wars and conflicts which have sought to redefine Serbian borders and take away their independence.

CROATIAN CULTURE

The Croatian people are prideful and often have strong nationalistic ideals and identities. This does not deter them from being welcoming, as these people believe that hospitality is of the utmost importance. Not only do they welcome tourists and people from foreign countries, but they are also welcoming and understanding of their fellow citizens who may have different ethnic or religious practices.

Referring back to their nationalism, they believe that it is important to engage in a "collectivistic" culture. This means that they believe family and strong social ties are important to preserve. Families will provide for one another, live with one another, and do anything within their power to ensure that their ties are maintained.

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History of the Balkans 1940 - Present

WORLD WAR II

In 1940 the Greco-Italian war began, with Italy attempting to invade Greece in order to expand their empire. However, Italy experienced great losses and failure, leading to Germany's invasion in an attempt to assist its ally. As a result of Germany's assistance, Greece fell under the control of the Germans and Italians. Satellite states were reformed, Bosnia, Herzegovina, Croatia, and Montenegro.

After World War II concluded, Germany and Italy withdrew from the Balkans, but these satellite states remained. Furthermore, their borders were not well defined, with many of them also reflecting aspects of Greek culture.

YUGOSLAV WARS

Following the division of Yugoslavia, numerous states fell into war. Serbia fought to maintain its people and borders, Croatia fought for its independence, and Bosnia and Herzegovina also fought for their independence. Unfortunately, numerous terrible battles were waged and it was not until the aftermath of these several events that authoring peace treaties began in 1945.

In 1945, peace treaties were signed, allowing Serbia to maintain it's borders, and for Croatia and Bosnia to become identified as independent countries.

MODERN DAY

Since 1945, the majority of the borders have remained the same. However, Montenegro did declare its independence from Serbia in 2006, splitting from their government. Kosovo attempted to do the same in 2008, but it is not widely considered to be sovereign from Serbia today.

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History of the Balkans 1346 - 1922

SERBIAN EMPIRE

The Serbian Empire was established in 1346, consisting of people from numerous backgrounds. Many of these citizens were Serbs, but the population also consisted of Greek and Roman people. Literature was exceptionally important to the people of this period, and numerous classical works were written during this time. However, the Serbian Empire was not a significantly strong state, and the death of its Emperor in 1371 resulted in the complete dissolution of the Serbian state.

OTTOMAN STATE & EMPIRE

Beginning in the 14th century, the Ottoman state was formed. They did not establish significant power in the Balkan region until they defeated the Serbs, and Mehmed II later conquered Constantinople in 1453. Following these victories, the Ottoman Empire was formed and controlled the majority of the Balkans.

Compared to former Empires, the Ottoman Empire was considered extremely tolerant to its citizens. Individuals of differing backgrounds and faiths gathered in the Balkans, and an era of great literature, artwork, and trade developed. It was extremely common for people of this time to be merchants or craftsmen, able to make a liveable wage with mild taxation and no oppression of the people.

THE FALL OF THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE

Unfortunately, numerous wars began within the Ottoman Empire as individualized states developed. In the 17th and 18th Centuries, Russia and Turkey went to war, followed by Austria and Poland going to war with the Ottoman Empire. Eventually, when the Balkan Wars in 1912 and 1913 broke out, the Ottoman Empire lost nearly all of its territory and power. The former tolerant home of the many, became the powerless home of the few.

It was not until World War I, when Ottoman Empire allied with Germany, that it would be completely dissolved. Turkey would eventually control the remaining Ottoman territory.

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History of the Balkans 2nd Century BC - 1018

ROMAN PERIOD

Although Roman influence was able to impact the architecture, artwork, and government of the time, they were powerless to abolish the presence of Greek culture. However, in 106 AD, Christianity became the official religion of the Roman people. This religion was not only successful in gaining devout followers across the Balkan region, but it aided in the transition from Greek to Roman culture.

This transition was not easy, and the Balkan regions became divided from within. Two belief systems, Western Christianity and Greek Eastern Orthodoxy, were at war with one another. This war, although not frequently violent, did create great tension amongst the population and was less about belief and more about power.

EASTERN ROMAN EMPIRE

The Eastern Roman Empire, although powerful, was not well-defined. With a strong government and division between the people and a lack of succinct culture, they experienced difficulty and conflict. This conflict stemmed from the border, which frequently changed depending on the outcomes of numerous battles. These battles involved many of their neighboring states, such as the Greek-controlled Byzantine Empire and the Persians and Turkish people.

As each of these conflicts waged on, the territories of the Roman Empire became lessened, until all that was left was individual cities. In 1453, their capital, Constantinople fell to Mehmet II, completely eradicating the Eastern Roman Empire.

FIRST BULGARIAN EMPIRE

In 680, the Bulgarian people gained control of the Balkan region. By 681, the Bulgarian people had coordinated with the Byzantine Empire to establish their own state in the Balkans. The first Bulgarian Empire taught the preachings of Christianity, successfully influenced culture, and imposed their own alphabet and linguistic changes. Overall, they not only were able to stabilize the region but were able to maintain their rule for over four centuries.

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History of the Balkans 9th Century BC - 4th Century BC

IRON AGE

During the Iron Age, Greek culture expanded across the Balkans. This involved developing an efficient trade route through the Balkans, converting citizens to a faith based on ancient Greek ideology, and the use of refined tools. At this time, artwork, religious shrines, sculptures, and fine architecture proliferated. However, the adopted lifestyle of the Balkan people would not end peacefully.

In the 6th Century BC, the Greco-Persian wars lead to the invasion of the Persians. Fortunately, the Greeks were victorious and Persian control over the Balkans was relinquished. Under Greek control, the Thracian Odrysian empire formed and flourished.

PRE-ROMAN STATES

Illyria became a kingdom of great power and control during the 4th century BC, but would later be conquered by Philip II of Macedon. His successor, Alexander the Great, would maintain peace until his death. Following his passing, however, individual states often engaged in war. It was during one of these wars that Illyrian vessels attacked a Roman ship, providing Rome with a reason to invade the Balkans.

Rome would successfully conquer many of the states, establishing complete control. The Balkans would be divided into three separate territories known as Macedonia, Achaia, and Epirus.