The History of Yugoslavia

Today, we introduce the Independent State of Croatia, the genocidal Axis puppet state, covering its structure, horrors, and the main problems facing it. Understanding Ustasha Violence by Alexander Korb   Theme Music –  "Charlotte"  by Damiano Baldoni, licensed under  CC BY 4.0 Main Maps Page Patreon

A supplemental episode discussing the class, kinship and ethnic dynamics in Kosovo in the centuries and decades leading up to World War II. Theme Music – "Charlotte"  by Damiano Baldoni, licensed under  CC BY 4.0 Main Maps Page Patreon

After the rapid conquest of Yugoslavia by the Wehrmacht and its allies, the Axis powers set about carving the country up between themselves. (credit for the map to Wikipedia user DIREKTOR )   Theme Music –  "Charlotte"  by Damiano Baldoni, licensed under  CC BY 4.0 Main Maps Page Patreon

Sorry I've been gone for so long, but I'm back! Today, we see World War II in Yugoslavia finally begin, as the Nazis invade. Theme Music –  "Charlotte"  by Damiano Baldoni, licensed under  CC BY 4.0 Main Maps Page Patreon

Just to let you all know I am still alive, and yes, I will be getting back to the podcast! Also, sorry about the bad acoustics, I'm currently in a different apartment.

Sorry for the long delay between episodes! Theme Music –  "Charlotte"  by Damiano Baldoni, licensed under  CC BY 4.0 Main Maps Page Patreon Check out this episode!

In today's episode, I chat with Chetniks expert Stevan Bozanich about the history of the famous/infamous Serb nationalist paramilitary movement. Stevan's Twitter and Academia profiles Stevan's chapter in "Balkan Legacies" Episode 50 will be the AMA episode – please send me your questions! Theme Music –  "Charlotte"  by Damiano Baldoni, licensed under  CC BY 4.0 Main Maps Page Patreon

Between 1939 and 1941, Yugoslavia tried to stay out of the war engulfing Europe. They failed. Episode 50 will be the AMA episode - please send me your questions! Theme Music –  "Charlotte"  by Damiano Baldoni, licensed under  CC BY 4.0 Main Maps Page Patreon

In 1939, the long-desired solution to the Croatian Question finally seemed to be at hand. Just hope there aren't any World Wars coming which might wreck it. Theme Music –  "Charlotte"  by Damiano Baldoni, licensed under  CC BY 4.0 Main Maps Page Patreon

In October 1934, Prince Paul took over the Kingdom of Yugoslavia at its lowest point, meaning the only way was up. Right? Theme Music –  "Charlotte"  by Damiano Baldoni, licensed under  CC BY 4.0 Main Maps Page Patreon

In October 1934, King Alexander decided to make a state visit to France, Yugoslavia's closest ally. He would not come back alive. Theme Music –  "Charlotte"  by Damiano Baldoni, licensed under  CC BY 4.0 Main Maps Page Patreon

In late 1931, King Alexander decided to relax his dictatorial rule a little. Theme Music –  "Charlotte"  by Damiano Baldoni, licensed under  CC BY 4.0 Main Maps Page Patreon

In the 1930s, Dimitrije Ljotić emerged as one of Nazi Germany's staunchest advocates - and later, one of its most willing collaborators - in Yugoslavia. Today, I sat down with an expert on Ljotić, Dr Christian Kurzydlowski, to chat about the strange life of the man. Theme Music –  "Charlotte"  by Damiano Baldoni, licensed under  CC BY 4.0 Main Maps Page Patreon

King Alexander was convinced that his people all loved him, and that all he had to do to prove it was sweep aside the politicians in the way. It turned out not to be that simple. Theme Music –  "Charlotte"  by Damiano Baldoni, licensed under  CC BY 4.0 Main Maps Page Patreon

So, a few weeks ago, me and a few others got together to have an online chat about the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, and why it didn't work out that well. As you do. Featuring: Dora Vrkić -  @DoraVrkic Damir Sakic -  @SakicDamir Bronwyn Scott-McCharen - @BronwynScottMc Davide Denti -  @DavideDenti Tucker Jones -  @tuckcomatus Domagoj Babić -  @DomagojBabi1 Shanker Satyanath -  @ShankerSatyana1 Emma Hatto...

I sat down for a chat with Joe Tripician, the man once commissioned to write the official biography of Croatian President Franjo Tuđman - until his research turned up some not so flattering things about what Tuđman had done during the Yugoslav Wars... Joe's book: "Balkanized at Sunrise" Joe's documentary: "I Was a Paid Propagandist for Croatia" Joe's website The Committee to Protect Journalists Th...

After Radić's death, Yugoslavia's parliamentary system, never the most stable, began to collapse. Theme Music –  "Charlotte"  by Damiano Baldoni, licensed under  CC BY 4.0 Main Maps Page Patreon  

Today, we take a look at what Yugoslavia's neighbours have been up to. A clue: it's a lot.

Today, I chat with Chris Klimovitz, an expert on Albanian history, about the history of Yugoslavia's small neighbour to the Southwest up to the end of the interwar period. Theme Music –  "Charlotte"  by Damiano Baldoni, licensed under  CC BY 4.0 Main Maps Page Patreon

In 1928, the political crisis in Yugoslavia reached a boiling point it would not be able to return from, as blood was spilled on the Parliament floor. (To clarify, there is no Round 1, you haven't missed an episode, this is just the second major assassination of the narrative). Sarajevo Pride Parade Organisers Their email for PayPal donations: info@povorkaponosa.ba Theme Music –  "Charlotte"  by D...

In 1925, Yugoslavia's two great rivals, Stjepan Radić and Nikola Pašić, finally buried the hatchet and formed a government together. Then they remembered why they hated each other in the first place, and the government got nothing done. Theme Music –  "Charlotte"  by Damiano Baldoni, licensed under  CC BY 4.0 Main Maps Page Patreon

Recently I sat down with Aleksandar Brezar, co-host of the Sarajevo Calling podcast on politics and current affairs in the Balkans. Hope you enjoy our conversation. NB: For some apps the length of this episode is for some reason coming up as around 4 hours. This is incorrect - it is only 40 minutes. I'll deal with this glitch as soon as I can, but don't worry, there's no missing content. Listen to...

With the 1921 Constitution passed, would Yugoslav politics be able to settle down? Of course not. Theme Music –  "Charlotte"  by Damiano Baldoni, licensed under  CC BY 4.0 Main Maps Page Patreon

Any hopes that Yugoslavs would come together to write a consensus constitution for their newly united state were swiftly dashed. Theme Music –  "Charlotte"  by Damiano Baldoni, licensed under  CC BY 4.0 Main Maps Page Patreon

In November 1920, Yugoslavs chose 419 deputies to represent them in a Constituent Assembly. Their choices were quite a surprise. Theme Music –  "Charlotte"  by Damiano Baldoni, licensed under  CC BY 4.0 Main Maps Page Patreon