Using the interactive map, analyze the changes to the political border of Yugoslavia. Enter “1991” into the box, then move until Yugoslavia in Eastern Europe is centered in your screen. Next, put “1994” in the box. Using this map, identify and list the border changes you see, including the names of countries and the colors they are on the map. Next, search online to find out what important events occurred to cause the changes. Finally, write a short paragraph describing the events and how the populations of the former Yugoslavia were affected.

Question

Using the interactive map, analyze the changes to the political border of Yugoslavia. Enter “1991” into the box, then move until Yugoslavia in Eastern Europe is centered in your screen. Next, put “1994” in the box. Using this map, identify and list the border changes you see, including the names of countries and the colors they are on the map. Next, search online to find out what important events occurred to cause the changes. Finally, write a short paragraph describing the events and how the populations of the former Yugoslavia were affected.

Identify and list the border changes you see between the 1991 and 1994 maps:

List and briefly describe the important events that caused the changes between 1991 and 1994:

Write a short paragraph describing the events and how the populations of the former Yugoslavia were affected:

Answer 1

The border changes between the 1991 and 1994 maps of Yugoslavia are as follows:

1. The creation of Croatia: Croatia appears as an independent country, colored in light brown/yellow, on the 1994 map. However, on the 1991 map, there was no separate Croatia; instead, the region of Croatia was a part of Yugoslavia.

2. The separation of Bosnia and Herzegovina: On the 1994 map, Bosnia and Herzegovina also appear as an independent country, colored in dark brown/purple. In 1991, it was still a part of Yugoslavia.

The important events that caused these border changes are as follows:

1. Dissolution of Yugoslavia: The most significant event that led to the border changes in Yugoslavia was the dissolution of the country. This process began in 1991 with the secession of Slovenia and Croatia, followed by the declaration of independence by Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1992. These events marked the end of the unified Yugoslavia as it had existed since the end of World War II.

2. Ethnic conflict and warfare: The dissolution of Yugoslavia was accompanied by ethnic tensions and conflicts, particularly between different ethnic groups such as Serbs, Croats, and Bosniaks. The breakup of Yugoslavia led to a series of violent wars, notably the Croatian War of Independence (1991-1995) and the Bosnian War (1992-1995). These conflicts resulted in significant border changes as regions fought for independence or were occupied by different factions.

The populations of the former Yugoslavia were greatly affected by these events. The wars resulted in widespread displacement of people, with millions becoming refugees within their own country or fleeing to neighboring states. Ethnic cleansing and genocide were carried out targeting specific populations, resulting in numerous casualties and human rights abuses. The breakup of Yugoslavia also led to the creation of new countries, with different ethnic groups asserting their right to self-determination. The conflicts and border changes caused significant disruption and trauma for the populations of the region, leading to long-lasting social, economic, and political consequences.