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'''Yugoslavia''', which during the span of its existence was the largest nation in the [[Balkan peninsula]], was created following the [[Paris Peace Talks]] of 1919-1920 as the "Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes."  Since these were not the only ethnic groups existing in the country, the name was changed in 1929 to "Kingdom of Yugoslavia."  While none of the countries created at the Peace Conference perfectly represented the [[Wilsonian]] ideal of national [[self-determination]], Yugoslavia was more of a repudiation of this idea than probably any other.  Most of its territory had previously been part of the recently destroyed kingdom of [[Serbia]]; the [[Austro-Hungarian Empire]]; or prior to [[World War I]], the [[Ottoman Empire]].

The former state of '''Yugoslavia''' (literally "Land of the South Slavs") was created following the [[Paris Peace Talks]] of 1919-1920 as the "Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes."  Since these were not the only ethnic groups existing in the country, the name was changed in 1929 to "Kingdom of Yugoslavia."  During the span of its existence it was the largest nation in the [[Balkan peninsula]]. While none of the countries created at the Peace Conference perfectly represented the [[Wilsonian]] ideal of national [[self-determination]], Yugoslavia was more of a repudiation of this idea than probably any other.  Most of its territory had previously been part of the recently destroyed kingdom of [[Serbia]]; the [[Austro-Hungarian Empire]]; or prior to [[World War I]], the [[Ottoman Empire]].

Besides [[Great Britain]] and [[France]], Yugoslavia was the only [[European]] country to openly defy [[Nazi Germany]] after the [[Munich agreement of 1938]] but before being attacked or annexed.  It earned this distinction as a result of a [[coup d'etat]] in April 1941 triggered by [[Benito Mussolini]]'s unsuccessful invasion of neighboring [[Greece]].  The coup overthrew a pro-Nazi [[prime minister]] and was treated by [[Adolf Hitler]] as a [[casus belli]], although he typically didn't look for one of those too hard.

Besides [[Great Britain]] and [[France]], Yugoslavia was the only [[European]] country to openly defy [[Nazi Germany]] after the [[Munich agreement of 1938]] but before being attacked or annexed.  It earned this distinction as a result of a [[coup d'etat]] in April 1941 triggered by [[Benito Mussolini]]'s unsuccessful invasion of neighboring [[Greece]].  The coup overthrew a pro-Nazi [[prime minister]] and was treated by [[Adolf Hitler]] as a [[casus belli]], although he typically didn't look for one of those too hard.

An anti-fascist Croat, [[Josip Broz Tito]], emerged as the leader of the [[communist]] arm of the resistance and, after the Nazi defeat in 1945, as the new leader of Yugoslavia overall.  In 1949, he adopted a policy of armed [[neutrality]] in the [[Cold War]] between the Soviet Union and the [[United States]].  Yugoslavia prospered considerably from this policy and was able to trade on favorable terms with both [[superpowers]] and their economic blocs.  Shortly after Tito's death in 1980, the state industrial ministry began marketing the last new European car brand, the [[Yugo]], to the United States.  The Yugo suffered, however, from the same quality deficiencies as the state-made cars of other communist countries and never caught on.

An anti-fascist Croat, [[Josip Broz Tito]], emerged as the leader of the [[communist]] arm of the resistance and, after the Nazi defeat in 1945, as the new leader of Yugoslavia overall.  In 1949, he adopted a policy of armed [[neutrality]] in the [[Cold War]] between the Soviet Union and the [[United States]].  Yugoslavia prospered considerably from this policy and was able to trade on favorable terms with both [[superpowers]] and their economic blocs.  Shortly after Tito's death in 1980, the state industrial ministry began marketing the last new European car brand, the [[Yugo]], to the United States.  The Yugo suffered, however, from the same quality deficiencies as the state-made cars of other communist countries and never caught on.

In 1991-1992 the internal republics comprising the country of '''Yugoslavia''' divided up and became five seperate countries: [[Bosnia]] and [[Herzegovina]], [[Croatia]], [[Macedonia]], [[Slovenia]], and [[Yugoslavia]] ([[Serbia]] and [[Montenegro]]).  It was said at the time that only Tito could have held the fractious nation together, although the monarchy had also managed tolerably well prior to the Nazi invasion.

In 1991-1992 the internal republics comprising the country of '''Yugoslavia''' divided up and became five separate countries: [[Bosnia]] and [[Herzegovina]], [[Croatia]], [[Macedonia]], [[Slovenia]], and [[Yugoslavia]] ([[Serbia]] and [[Montenegro]]).  It was said at the time that only Tito could have held the fractious nation together, although the monarchy had also managed tolerably well prior to the Nazi invasion.

Serbia and Montenegro both claim to be the successor country to the former Yugoslavia so each use the name "Yugoslavia" but neither are recognized as an independent country by any other countries, including the [[United States]].

Serbia and Montenegro both claim to be the successor country to the former Yugoslavia so each use the name "Yugoslavia" but neither are recognized as an independent country by any other countries, including the United States.

[[Category:Former Countries]]

[[Category:Former Countries]]