[SAJC] Conflict and Cooperation Bosnian War (1992-1995) (2024)

Saint Andrew’s Junior College (2024) 9174/01 H2 History Paper 1 Theme III: Conflict and Cooperation (1945-2000) 1 Conflict and Cooperation (1945-2000) Topic 4: Bosnian War (1992-1995) SAJC History Unit, 2024 Learning Outcomes (from the Examination Syllabus) 4 Essential Questions for this topic: 4 Guiding Questions for this topic: 4 1. Historical Context of Bosnia 5 2. Introduction to the Bosnian War 6 2.1 Understanding root causes 8 2.2 Key Issues 8 3. Overview of Case Study: The Bosnian War 9 3.1 Background 9 4. Causes of the Bosnian War 10 4.1 Political Causes: Breakup of Yugoslavia 10 4.2 Religious and Ethnic Divides 12 4.3 Rise of Ultra-Nationalist Leaders 13 4.4 Ideological Causes 13 4.5 Economic Disparities 15 5. Domestic Actors 17

Saint Andrew’s Junior College (2024) 9174/01 H2 History Paper 1 Theme III: Conflict and Cooperation (1945-2000) 2 5.1 Key Domestic Actors 17 5.2 Interaction Between Domestic Actors and the Conflict Dynamics 20 6. International Intervention 20 6.1 Role of North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) 20 6.1.1 Enforcement of No-Fly Zones 20 6.1.2 Air Strikes and Military Intervention 21 6.1.3 Supporting the Dayton Accords 22 6.1.4 Long Term Security and Stability 22 6.2 Role of United Nations (UN) 24 6.2.1 Peacekeeping and Humanitarian Aid 24 6.2.2 Resolutions and Sanctions 25 6.2.3 War Crimes Tribunal 26 6.3 Role of European Union (EU) 27 6.3.1 Recognition for Bosnia and Herzegovina's sovereignty 27 6.3.2 Economic Sanctions and Embargoes 28 6.3.3 Post-War Reconstruction 29 6.4 Challenges, Impact and Legacy 30 7 Challenges, Impact and Legacy 31 7.1 NATO intervention (1995) 31 7.2 Dayton Peace Accords (1995) 32 8. Long-Term impacts of Conflict Management Strategies 35

Saint Andrew’s Junior College (2024) 9174/01 H2 History Paper 1 Theme III: Conflict and Cooperation (1945-2000) 3 9. Lessons Learnt 36 9.1 Role of International Organisations 36 9.1.1 UN’s involvement 36 9.1.2 NATO’s involvement 37 10. Reflection on Conflict Management 38 11. Conclusion and Food for Thought 38

Saint Andrew’s Junior College (2024) 9174/01 H2 History Paper 1 Theme III: Conflict and Cooperation (1945-2000) 4 Learning Outcomes (from the Examination Syllabus) Students are able to: ● evaluate causes of conflicts ● evaluate the roles of different actors in the development of conflicts over time ● evaluate the effectiveness of conflict management Essential Questions for this topic: • Why did conflicts occur and how did they affect the international order? • Why do countries/ethnic groups engage in war and conflict with one another? • Why do wars and conflicts usually remain protracted and difficult to resolve? • What are the consequences of war and conflict for affected countries and the region at large? • How effective were the attempts to manage these conflicts? Guiding Questions for this topic: • What were the historical and political contexts leading up to the Bosnian War? • How did the breakup of Yugoslavia contribute to the outbreak of the Bosnian War? • What were the main ethnic and religious groups involved in the conflict, and what were their respective goals?

Saint Andrew’s Junior College (2024) 9174/01 H2 History Paper 1 Theme III: Conflict and Cooperation (1945-2000) 5 • In what ways did economic interests play a role in the Bosnian War? • What role did ethnic and religious nationalism play in the escalation of the Bosnian War? • How did international actors and organisations, such as the United Nations and NATO, respond to the Bosnian War? • What was the significance of NATO’s intervention in the Bosnian War? • How did the Dayton Agreement bring an end to the conflict, and what were its main provisions? • What were the strengths and weaknesses of the Dayton Accords in managing the Bosnian War? 1. Historical Context of Bosnia • Before the Bosnian War erupted in 1992, Bosnia and Herzegovina was a region characterised by its rich cultural diversity, historical significance, and complex socio-political landscape. Nestled in the heart of the Balkans, Bosnia was a melting pot of ethnicities, religions, and traditions. • Bosnia and Herzegovina was home to three main ethnic groups: Bosniaks (Bosnian Muslims), Serbs (Orthodox Christians), and Croats (Catholics). According to the 1991 census, Bosniaks made up about 44% of the population, Serbs around 31%, and Croats approximately 17%. The remaining population consisted of various other ethnicities, including Jews and Roma. This diverse demographic composition was both a source of cultural richness and a potential flashpoint for ethnic tensions. • Bosnia's cultural landscape was a testament to its diverse heritage. The capital city, Sarajevo, often referred to as the "Jerusalem of Europe," was a vibrant hub where mosques, churches, and synagogues coexisted within close proximity. The city's arch itecture reflected this blend of influences, with Ottoman-style bazaars, Austro -Hungarian buildings, and modern structures standing side by side. Festivals, music, and cuisine in Bosnia were a fusion of Eastern and Western traditions, creating a unique cultural tapestry. • The political landscape of Bosnia before the war was shaped by its status as one of the six republics of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

Saint Andrew’s Junior College (2024) 9174/01 H2 History Paper 1 Theme III: Conflict and Cooperation (1945-2000) 6 (SFRY). Under the leadership of Josip Broz Tito, Yugoslavia maintained a delicate balance among its diverse ethnic groups through a policy of "brotherhood and unity." However, Tito's death in 1980 and the subsequent rise of nationalist movements across Yugoslavia began to unravel this balance. In Bosnia, political parties emerged along ethnic l ines, with the Party of Democratic Action (SDA) representing Bosniaks, the Serbian Democratic Party (SDS) representing Serbs, and the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) representing Croats. • Economically, Bosnia and Herzegovina was one of the less developed republics within the former Yugoslavia. The economy was primarily based on agriculture, mining, and industry. The industrial sector included steel production, textiles, and machinery manufacturing. Despite its economic challenges, Bosnia had a relatively high standard of living compared to other Eastern European countries. However, regional disparities existed, with urban areas like Sarajevo being more developed than rural regions. 2. Introduction to the Bosnian War • The Bosnian War, which took place from 1992 to 1995, was one of the most devastating conflicts in Europe since World War II. It was characterised by ethnic strife, brutal violence, and significant international intervention. To understand the complexities of this war, it is essential to delve into its causes, key events, major players, and the aftermath. • Ethnic and religious divisions can lead to intra-state conflicts, especially in countries with diverse populations where one group feels marginalised or oppressed by another. Bosnia’s multi-ethnic composition, with Serbs, Croats, and Bosniaks, made it particularly vulnerable to ethnic conflict. • The roots of the Bosnian War can be traced back to the disintegration of Yugoslavia, a multi-ethnic federation that began to unravel in the early 1990s. Yugoslavia was composed of six republics: Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, and Macedonia. The death of Josip Broz Tito in 1980, who had been the unifying leader of Yugoslavia, left a power vacuum that exacerbated ethnic tensions. Nationalist movements gained momentum, and the desire for independence grew among the republics. Slovenia and Croatia declared independence in 1991, leading to brief conflicts. However, the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina was far more complex due to its diver