Bosnian War - Genocide: History, Key Dates

Summary

The Bosnian War, which occurred in the early 1990s, was a complex conflict that followed the dissolution of Yugoslavia. Bosnia and Herzegovina, with its diverse ethnic groups, found itself at the center of a struggle for independence and territorial control. The war began after Bosnia voted to secede from Yugoslavia, leading to a siege of Sarajevo and widespread ethnic cleansing. The conflict saw the involvement of Serbian forces, the Yugoslav People's Army, and later, NATO air strikes. Atrocities such as genocide, mass rape, and the destruction of cultural heritage were prevalent. The war officially ended with the Dayton Peace Agreement in 1995, which divided Bosnia into two entities and initiated a period of reconstruction and reconciliation. The conflict resulted in significant loss of life, displacement, and long-lasting effects on the region.

Takeaways

• 🏰 The Bosnian War involved the longest siege in modern times, with significant territorial disputes and ethnic conflicts.
• 🌍 Bosnia and Herzegovina changed hands multiple times, joining Yugoslavia in 1918 and becoming independent in 1992 after a referendum.
• 🗳️ The Serbian Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina was declared by Serb nationalists who boycotted the independence referendum.
• 💣 Bosnia's population was divided into Slavic Muslim Bosniacs, Orthodox Christian Serbs, and Catholic Croats, leading to a complex three-way conflict.
• 🏹 The Serbs aimed to create a 'Greater Serbia' and pursued an ethnic cleansing campaign against Muslims.
• 🏙️ The Siege of Sarajevo began in April 1992, lasting 4 years and resulting in the deaths or disappearances of approximately 10,000 people.
• 🔪 1992 marked the start of genocide against non-Serb populations in Bosnia, with mass intimidation, torture, and killings.
• 🔄 A 'war within a war' emerged as Croat forces shifted from defense to offense, leading to the Croat-Bosniac War.
• ✈️ NATO intervened in 1994 with air strikes against the Serbs, which helped to end some of the fighting but did not stop the conflict entirely.
• 🗺️ The Dayton Peace Agreement in 1995 officially ended the war, dividing Bosnia and Herzegovina into two entities and initiating a NATO-led peacekeeping mission.
• 🕊️ Despite the end of the war, the effects of the conflict, including genocide, mass rape, and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people, continue to impact the region.

Q & A

What event marked the start of Bosnia's path to independence from Yugoslavia?

The path to independence started with Slovenia, Croatia, and Macedonia voting to leave Yugoslavia in the early 1990s.

What were the main ethnic groups in Bosnia and Herzegovina before the war?

The main ethnic groups were Slavic Muslim Bosniaks (almost half of the population), Orthodox Christian Serbs (just over 30%), and Catholic Croats (17%).

How did Serb nationalists in Bosnia react to the country's independence referendum?

Serb nationalists boycotted the referendum vote and favored creating their own Republic called the Serbian Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

When was the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina declared?

The Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina was declared at the beginning of March 1992.

What event marked the beginning of the Siege of Sarajevo?

The Siege of Sarajevo began in April 1992 when Serb forces took control of the predominantly Muslim capital city.

What was the impact of the Siege of Sarajevo on the city's population?

The four-year siege resulted in the deaths or disappearances of roughly 10,000 people, including many children, and forced residents to evade sniper fire while struggling for basic human needs.

What was the goal of the Serbs' actions during the Bosnian War?

The Serbs aimed to claim new territory for Greater Serbia and ethnically cleanse the population of Muslims.

How did the Croat-Bosniak War impact the conflict in Bosnia?

The Croat-Bosniak War, a war within a war, overshadowed much of 1993 and shifted Croat forces from a defensive stance to seizing land.

What was NATO's role in the Bosnian War?

NATO intervened by launching airstrikes against the Serbs, which helped end some sieges and allowed Bosnian government forces to reclaim lost territory.

What was the outcome of the Dayton Peace Agreement?

The Dayton Peace Agreement, reached in November 1995, marked the official end of the war, split Bosnia and Herzegovina into two independent states, and initiated a NATO-led peacekeeping effort.

What were some of the atrocities committed during the Bosnian War?

The atrocities included genocide, mass rape, emotional subjugation, and numerous massacres, such as the massacre in Srebrenica.

What were the long-term effects of the Bosnian War?

The war caused significant loss of life, the destruction of historic buildings and monuments, the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people, and left lasting psychological and social impacts on the population.

Outlines

00:00

🏰 The Bosnian War: Origins and Ethnic Struggles

The Bosnian War, which included the longest siege in modern times, is explored in this script. It discusses the historical context of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which was annexed by Austria-Hungary in 1908 and later joined Yugoslavia in 1918. The early 1990s saw Slovenia, Croatia, and Macedonia voting to leave Yugoslavia, leading to war. In Bosnia, Slavic Muslim Bosniaks, Orthodox Christian Serbs, and Catholic Croats formed the population. Serb nationalists opposed Bosnia's independence, leading to the creation of the Serbian Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina after a boycotted referendum in 1992. The Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina was declared, and soon after, it was attacked by Serbian forces, initiating the war.

🛡 The Siege of Sarajevo and Ethnic Cleansing

The Siege of Sarajevo, which began in April 1992, is highlighted as a significant event of the Bosnian War. Serb forces took over the predominantly Muslim capital city, leading to a 4-year siege that resulted in the deaths or disappearances of approximately 10,000 people. The siege involved residents scrambling for basic needs while evading sniper fire. The script also mentions the start of genocide against non-Serb populations in Bosnia, with intimidation, torture, and killings, and the destruction of villages and homes. By the end of 1992, Serbs occupied about 70% of the country, and the Croat forces began seizing land, leading to a war within the war, known as the Croat-Bosniac war.

🕊️ UN and NATO Interventions

In 1993, the United Nations sent aid to Bosnia but faced criticism for its ineffectiveness. NATO intervened by launching air strikes against the Serbs in 1994, which helped end some seizures, though fighting persisted. The Croat-Bosniac war ended that year, and these groups united to fight the Serbs. The most violent crimes since World War II occurred in 1995 with the Srebrenica massacre by the Bosnian Serb Army, where over 8,000 people were killed in a UN safe zone. NATO air strikes again targeted the Serbs, aiding Bosnian government forces in reclaiming lost territory.

📜 The Dayton Peace Agreement and Aftermath

The end of the Bosnian War came with the Dayton Peace Agreement in November 1995, reached in Dayton, Ohio, by the Serbian, Croatian, and Bosnian presidents. The agreement led to the official end of the war and split Bosnia and Herzegovina into two entities: one Bosniac and Croat, the other Serb. National elections were held, and a NATO-led peacekeeping mission began. However, the division of the country was met with discontent among the population. The war resulted in 25,000 to 330,000 deaths, destruction of historic buildings, and the creation of hundreds of thousands of refugees. Atrocities such as genocide, mass rape, and subjugation occurred, and in the post-war years, numerous individuals were tried for war crimes. The rebuilding of Bosnia continues, but the effects of the war are expected to be long-lasting.

Keywords

💡Bosnian War

The Bosnian War refers to an armed conflict that took place in Bosnia and Herzegovina between 1992 and 1995. This war was part of the breakup of Yugoslavia and was characterized by ethnic cleansing and genocide. In the video, the Bosnian War is the central theme, detailing the sieges, atrocities, and the complex inter-ethnic conflicts that occurred during this period.

💡Yugoslavia

Yugoslavia was a country in Southeast Europe that existed from 1918 to 1992. It was a socialist state comprising several ethnic groups and territories. The video mentions Yugoslavia's dissolution as a precursor to the Bosnian War, as Bosnia and Herzegovina was one of the six socialist republics that made up the country.

💡Ethnic Cleansing

Ethnic cleansing is the systematic removal or extermination of an ethnic group from a region, often through forced displacement, mass murder, or other forms of violence. The script describes how the Serb forces aimed to ethnically cleanse the population of Muslims, leading to atrocities and the displacement of many during the Bosnian War.

💡Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina

The Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina is the official name of the country that declared independence from Yugoslavia in March 1992. The video explains that this declaration was met with resistance, particularly from Serb nationalists, leading to the outbreak of war.

💡Siege of Sarajevo

The Siege of Sarajevo was a military operation lasting nearly four years, from April 1992 to February 1996, during the Bosnian War. It was the longest siege of a capital city in the history of modern warfare. The video script highlights the devastating impact of the siege, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 10,000 people.

💡Genocide

Genocide is the deliberate killing of a large group of people, especially those of a particular ethnic group or nation. The video script describes the systematic targeting and killing of non-Serb populations in Bosnia, which constitutes genocide, as part of the war crimes committed during the conflict.

💡Croat-Bosniac War

The Croat-Bosniac War refers to a conflict that took place between the Croat and Bosniak forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina during the Bosnian War. The video mentions this as a 'war within a war,' indicating the complex nature of the conflict and the shifting alliances among different ethnic groups.

💡NATO

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is an intergovernmental military alliance between North American and European countries. In the context of the Bosnian War, the video mentions NATO's intervention, which included launching air strikes against the Serb forces to help end the conflict.

💡Dayton Peace Agreement

The Dayton Peace Agreement, officially known as the General Framework Agreement for Peace, was signed in 1995 and marked the end of the Bosnian War. The video explains that this agreement led to the division of Bosnia and Herzegovina into two entities, the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republika Srpska, and the establishment of a NATO-led peacekeeping force.

💡War Crimes

War crimes are serious violations of the laws and customs of war that give rise to individual criminal responsibility. The video script discusses the atrocities committed during the Bosnian War, including genocide and mass rape, and mentions that numerous figures were tried for war crimes in the aftermath of the conflict.

💡Refugees

Refugees are persons who are forced to flee their country to escape war, persecution, or natural disaster and who seek sanctuary in another country. The video describes the creation of hundreds of thousands of refugees as a result of the Bosnian War, illustrating the human displacement caused by the conflict.

Highlights

Bosnia and Herzegovina was annexed by Austria-Hungary in 1908 and later joined Yugoslavia in 1918.

In the early 1990s, Slovenia, Croatia, and Macedonia voted to leave Yugoslavia, leading to wars in these regions.

Bosnia's population was composed of almost half Slavic Muslim Bosniaks, over 30% Orthodox Christian Serbs, and 17% Catholic Croats.

Serb nationalists in Bosnia opposed the country's independence, leading to the creation of the Serbian Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

In March 1992, Bosnia declared independence, prompting an attack by Serbian forces supported by the Yugoslav People's Army.

The Siege of Sarajevo began in April 1992, lasting four years and resulting in approximately 10,000 deaths.

Serbian forces aimed to ethnically cleanse the Muslim population in Bosnia.

The genocide against non-Serbian populations in Bosnia started in 1992, with many becoming refugees or detained in camps.

By the end of 1992, Serbs occupied roughly 70% of Bosnia.

The Croat-Bosniak war began in 1993, adding complexity to the conflict.

In 1994, NATO launched airstrikes against the Serbs, helping to end some sieges.

The Srebrenica massacre in July 1995 saw over 8,000 killed in a UN-declared safe zone.

NATO's airstrikes in 1995 aided Bosnian government forces in reclaiming lost territory.

The Dayton Peace Agreement in November 1995 ended the war, splitting Bosnia and Herzegovina into two independent states.

The Bosnian War resulted in an estimated 25,000 to 330,000 deaths and created hundreds of thousands of refugees.

Transcripts

this war included the longest Siege in

modern times welcome to watchmojo.com

and today we'll be learning more about

the Bosnian War possession of Bosnia

Herzegovina traded back and forth for

centuries in 1908 the country was

annexed by Austria Hungary in 1918

following the dissolution of Austria

Hungary Bosnia joined five other

socialist territories to form Yugoslavia

this remained the status quo until the

early 1990s at that point Slovenia

Croatia and Macedonia each successively

voted to leave Yugoslavia and this led

to war in many of those regions at that

point in Bosnia three main ethnic groups

formed the population almost half were

Slavic Muslim bosniacs while Orthodox

Christian serbs comprised just over 30%

and Catholic croats were 17% of the

populace Serb nationalists within Bosnia

were strongly against the idea of their

country's Independence at the end of

February 1992 when Bosnia voted in a

referendum on the subject serbs

boycotted the vote in favor of creating

their own Republic called the Serbian

Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina

however those who did vote chose to

secede from Yugoslavia and so the

Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina was

declared at the beginning of March 1992

within a month the newly created country

was attacked by Serbian forces with

support from slow Oban mosovich is

Serbian government and the Yugoslav

People's Army aside from the desire to

claim new territory for greater Serbia

the serbs wanted to ethnically cleanse

the population of Muslims initially

croats and bosniacs teamed up in the

face of the Serb threat the infamous

Siege of Saro began early in the war in

April 1992 when Serb forces took the

predominantly Muslim capital city this

4-year Siege resulted in the deaths or

disappearances of roughly 10,000 people

from the city including many children as

residents scrambled for basic human

needs they were also required to evade

sniper fire while in the streets 1992

also marked the start of the genocide

against the non-s Serbian populations of

Bosnia those groups were intimidated

tortured and killed with villages and

homes destroyed targeted groups became

refugees or were held in detention camps

by the end of the year the serbs

occupied roughly 70% of the country

croat forces had also shift Ed from a

defensive stance and began seizing land

also this began a war within a war

referred to as the croat bosniac war

that battle overshadowed much of 1993

that year the UN sent Aid to Bosnia but

was criticized for being largely

ineffectual in the face of this conflict

by 1994 NATO intervened by launching air

strikes against the serbs while this

succeeded in ending some seizes fighting

continued when the croat bosniac war

ended that year those groups reted to

fight the serbs together as conflict

continued into 1995 one of the most

violent crimes on European soil since

the second world war took place in July

the town of Sita was massacred by the

Bosnian Serb Army despite being a un

safe Zone over 8,000 were killed and

more were wounded and displaced however

this was one of many similar massacres

that year NATO forces again used air

strikes against the serbs which helped

Bosnian government forces reclaim CL

lost territory the end of hostilities

came soon after in November 1995 the

Dayton peace agreement was reached in

Dayton Ohio by the Serbian Croatian and

Bosnian presidents when this agreement

went into force it marked the war's

official end as stated in the Accord

Bosnia Herzegovina was split into two

independent states one bosniac and croat

the other Serb national elections were

also called and a nato-led peacekeeping

effort began however much of the

population was unhappy with the

country's division though exact numbers

are disputed the Bosnian War resulted in

25 to 330,000 deaths it caused the

destruction of numerous historic

buildings and monuments and created

hundreds of thousands of refugees

atrocities seen during the war included

genocide Mass rape and emotional

subjugation and in the Years following

the conflict numerous Figures were tried

for war crimes though bosnia's

rebuilding period continues the effects

of this war will undoubtedly Echo for

years

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