Serbian Nationalism in World War I

Throughout the 1900s, America was faced with wars, struggle, and depression in many political and economical swings. Two of the greatest events during this time period were the two wars, World War I and World War II, both of which were epic struggles of political power between great nations. In both wars, Serbian nationalism played a major factor in supplying reasons and incentives for war and the nation of Serbia played a strong role in the wars. In World War I, Serbia was a key factor in initiating the war and later resolutions were affected by the strong nationalist forces in Serbia. Serbian nationalism was one of the most essential factors to the inception of World War I, and it also affected World War II indirectly and directly in numerous ways.

World War I began in 1914 with the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of the Austria-Hungry Monarchy, by a believed Serbian nationalist Gravilo Princip in Sarajevo. His assassination was the catalyst that resulted in the commencement of the Great War, and the crime was accused to a group of Serbian nationalists created in 1911, known as the Black Hand. The Black Hand was led by Colonel Dimitrijevic, also known as Colonel Apis, and they were the suppliers and masterminds behind the assassination (Ivarone OL). After the assassination, Austria immediately accused Serbia, and with Austria's ultimatum came the declaration of war. In turn, the expansionistic ideals of Austria-Hungry were against Serbian nationalism in the basis of the War, with greater powers taking up the battling. At this point, Serbian nationalism swung into full effect with the Serbs believing what a great power they were. In earlier years, the Minister of Internal Affairs, Garasanin, declared the desire for Serbian rule of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, and northern Albania in the "Nacertanije" (Sowards OL). During the war, Serbia saw it self backed up by various great powers, and for the first time felt like it was in control. Serbia regained its desire for rule of the Balkan territories, but also took a backseat to the needs of the Greater powers, such as the desires of Italy for the Dalmatian Coast. Serbia respected their policies, but a new nationalistic approach uprooted during wartime, which was caused by the entry into the war and the new found respect shown to Serbia.

Serbian nationalism affected all those involved with World War I a great deal. Besides being the incendiary for the Great War, Serbian nationalism sought respect throughout all of the Balkan Peninsula, and many refused to leave without a fight. Prior to World War I, those like Ilija Garasanin and Alexander Karageorgevic, new ruler of Serbia, took over Serbia in a radical approach and brought their nationalistic ideals with them. Radicals such as Nikola Pasic pushed Serbia forward and increased anti-Ottoman sentiment. Russia were also affected by Serbian nationalism. Russia kept its alliance with Serbia because it acted as the protector of all Slavic nations and Russia's help led to Serbia's forthrightness, because they knew Russia was there to protect them. Organizations like the Black Hand and the "Narodna Odbrana" (National Defense) led Serbia in their trials against the Ottoman Empire and founded Guerilla units in Macedonia. The National Defense was the largest nationalist society in Serbia and at this time Serbian nationalism was at an all-time high during this pre-war and post-war time periods, and these people and institutions helped to push Serbia forward (Sowards OL).

As the threat of war lingered over European nations, Serbian nationalism within Serbia and other Slavic nations increased dramatically. As war became eminent, popularity within Serbia grew at this time because of an increase in foreign allies and after the assassination, Austria-Hungry's accusations and ultimatums led to an increase in Serbia's resistance. Serbian nationalism was important to the inception of the war because without it, the nationalists would not have struck the Archduke, and the war may not have started at all. The nationalists were dependent on killing the Archduke to ensure freedom in the Balkans, and to keep Serbia's hopes alive of one day regaining the Slavic territories. As a result of Serbian nationalism came World War I, and it also created tension between the greater powers involved in the war. Russia and Germany kept up their never-ending feuds, and the US even entered later to help Russia. The nationalists in Serbia created the First World War, and their actions and thoughts led to the harshest war the world had seen to date.

All throughout the 1900s, Serbian nationalism stayed strong and tough. After World War I, Serbia remained deep-seated in its ideals and goals, and never diverted from them. As World War II approached, almost 30 years later, Serbian nationalism was stronger than ever and was highly similar to the nationalism in World War I. In World War I, Serbia acted powerful, although in reality it is a very small and militarily weak country. It used the help of strong foreign allies such as Russia to defend them, without getting involved. Serbia acted the same way during World War II. In 1929, Serbia and other Slavic Nations became Yugoslavia (CIA Factbook OL). Although they shifted in culture, The Serbs were still deeply ingrained in Serbian nationalism and they defended Yugoslavia in 1941 against the Nazis of Germany. Serbia was very effective by tangling up numerous amounts of the German divisions in Yugoslavia that would have gone elsewhere and changed the outcome of the war. Their attacks slowed down the movement of supplies throughout the axis powers with their Guerilla tactics such as attacking supply camps. These things helped to bring down a stronger foe, and just as in World War I, they did not allow their diminutive nature to take over their role in the war. They were not scared to defend their rights and duties, and still were in search of their goal of Serbia in control of the other Balkan nations.

Serbian nationalism also had differences from World War I to World War II. The nationalists were not the cause of the war this time and they did not play a big factor in initiating the violence. Serbian nationalism was refused by the communist regime that took over the area after 1945 and was not brought back until 1989 (Sowards OL). Serbia still played a major factor in the war, but had less to do with the cause and had more to do with providing help in whatever way they could. Serbia was not as important in World War II, but it still played a major role as Serbian nationalism still remained strong up until 1945.

As the great French general Napoleon Bonaparte once said, "A man will fight harder for his interests than for his rights." This was true in the case of Serbia, as people acted for Serbian nationalism and their goals of gaining control of their surrounding areas. Serbia desired to rule over the once great nations it had, and their interests propelled Serbian nationalism and the Serbs into World War I. Serbian nationalism was strong during the early 1900s, with Serbia defending their rights to expand and to be free, and they defended themselves however they saw fit, whether it be an assassination or a war. Although their methods may have been controversial, they knew that they were well taken care of by foreign allies, and that they could achieve their goals. A strong sense of Serbian nationalism was seen in organizations like the Black Hand, and their actions led to the start of the Great War. Serbia always defended it self, and Serbian nationalism was one of the driving forces in both World War I and World War II. Serbian nationalism was an important factor during the 1900s, and its actions created the Slavic world we know today.

Works Cited

Ivarone, Mike. Trenches on the Web. Last updated 15 Jan. 2000. Accessed 2 Jan. 2005 .

Sowards, Steven. Lecture 13: Serbian nationalism from the "Nacertanije" to the Yugoslav Kingdom. Last updated 20 July 2004. Accessed 2 Jan. 2005 .

CIA World Factbook. CIA. Serbia and Montenegro. Accessed 3 Jan. 2005 .