Background Guide
Yugoslavia
Michael Bouvet
Yugoslav Committee Chair
Maryland Model United Nations
UMICS 2012
University of Maryland International Crisis Simulation
November 2- 4, 2012
Dear Delegates,
Greetings and welcome to UMICS 2012! My name is Michael Bouvet and I will be
acting as your chair.
I cannot truly express how excited I am to be leading you through this wonderful
opportunity. As a Junior Government and Politics major with three Minors in Arabic
Studies, International Development and Conflict Management, and Terrorism
Studies, I have had great opportunities in taking advantage of the University of
Maryland’s vast resources in the field of International Relations. I have been
involved in Model UN since high school, and have been a member of Maryland’s
Model UN club since freshman year.
In addition to Model UN and academics, I volunteer for the White House Presidential
Correspondence Committee and intern for the State Department. I also conduct
research for UMD’s National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses
to Terrorism.
You all have been very fortunate to be taking part in this simulation. As a
participant, you are showing to admissions officials and potential employers your
early aptitude in public speaking, team work, and rhetorical skills. You are also
enhancing your knowledge of how policy is formulated and how different
international actors relate to one another.
I hope to see some fierce debate, ingenious maneuvers, and tactical thinking all the
while respecting other participants. Remember to be courteous when debating and
please do come well prepared!
I wish you all the best of luck and look forward to the simulation!
Sincerely,
Michael
Committee Purpose/Objectives:
This is the cabinet of the Tito government of Yugoslavia in 1953. The ultimate
purpose of the council is to remain in power, by preserving the Tito government.
Beware, though, Josip Tito is a Stalinist dictator, and you’re presence on the council
is dependent on his good will.
Second, you should work as a council to advance the interests of the state of
Yugoslavia. You should shore up your defenses and diplomatic ties to prevent Soviet
interference, preserve your independence, advance your economic situation, and
expand your sphere of influence in the Balkans.
Historical Background:
PRE-WORLD WAR II:
The state of Yugoslavia was born during the chaos of World War I. Serbia, one of the
largest components of what would make up the future Yugoslavia, had war declared
on it by the Austria-Hungarian Empire after the assassination of the AustriaHungarian Arch-Duke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo in 1914. This declaration ignited
one of the bloodiest and largest wars in human history. This war was devastating f or
Serbia, resulting in the loss of one quarter of its pre-war population. It was in the
midst of this conflict that the Kingdom of Yugoslavia was proclaimed through the
Declaration of Corfu by Nikola Pasic and Ante Trumbic. The declaration established
a constitutional monarchy that encompassed the South Slavic lands of modern day
Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, Kosovo, and
Macedonia. After fighting off the Austro Hungarians and the Italians from
maintaining and annexing territory, The Kingdom of Yugoslavia was recognized as
an independent state by the international community at the Paris Peace Conference
of 1919.
After WWI, this new state was characterized by ethnic strife, royal dictatorship, and
international territorial disputes. The most apparent strife was between the Croats
and the Serbs. The Serbs, who had their own independent state before the war,
wished for Yugoslavia to be a centralized state under Serb domination. The Croats,
who had been under the control of Austria-Hungary for centuries, rejected this
desire for centralization and advocated a decentralized state. At the same time,
conflicts between Serbs, Kosovo Albanians, Macedonians, Muslims, and Slovenians
abounded. However, this discontent did not degenerate into outward violent
conflict.
Yugoslavia was ruled by the dictatorship of King Aleksandar through much of this
period. He centralized the state to the ire of the Croats and other minority groups
and abolished civil liberties. His tyrannical rule lasted until he was assassinated.
Territorial disputes abounded with Bulgaria, Italy, Hungary, Austria, and Albania.
Italy remained the largest threat, seeking to annex the territories promised by the
allies after WWI. In 1921 and 1922, Yugoslavia, Romania, and Czechoslovakia signed
a mutual defense treaty to counter these threats and rising German and Soviet
expansionism. In 1927, Yugoslavia signed a treaty of friendship with France, setting
its course as an allied country during WWII.
WORLD WAR II:
When WWII broke out in 1939, Yugoslavia was caught in a dire situation. Bulgaria,
Romania, Italy, and Hungary allied with Germany and Italy. The country was
surrounded by hostile states and isolated from its allies France and Britain. In 1941,
Hitler and his axis allies invaded Yugoslavia and defeated it swiftly. The axis powers
then partitioned the country; Italy annexed the territories promised after WWI,
Germany took northern Slovenia, Hungary took parts of Croatia and Serbia, and
Bulgaria took Macedonia. Two puppet states were established: the Facist Ustase
Croatia and German Occupied Serbia. In Ustase Croatia, the government pursued a
genocidal policy against non-Croats, and appalled even the Nazis with their
brutality.
During this occupation, the Communists under Josip Broz Tito were the main
resistance movement. The Communists were able to rebel against the Germans with
almost little support from the allies. In 1945, the Communists drove the Germans
out of Yugoslavia with only minor help from USSR troops. By the end of the war, Tito
and his communists were successful in establishing an independent communist
state.
POST-WORLD WAR:
With complete power being completely appropriated to the Tito by the end of 1945,
the communist regime sought to concentrate a secular, multi-ethnic Stalinist state.
Ethnic tensions were severely repressed, and Serbia was split into four different
provinces to lessen its power with in the country. The Tito regime then repaired the
war-ravaged country and instituted agricultural collectivization policies that led to
starvation.
Relations with its greatest ally, the USSR, then deteriorated rapidly. At a meeting of
East European Communists states called the Cominform in 1948 Yugoslavia and
Tito were declared heretical towards communism. Stalin then imposed an economic
blockade on Yugoslavia, forcing Tito to seek the military and economic aide from the
West.
International Relations:
Yugoslav international relations of this era were completely shaped by the 1948
Tito-Stalin split that cast the once allied Soviet Union as an enemy, forcing President
Josif Broz Tito to seek alliances with countries outside the communist bloc.
However, due to its staunch adherence to Marxism, Yugoslavia was not able to fully
warm up to the Western camp. As a result of its isolated position, Yugoslavia built
the foundations for the later Non-aligned movement that sought to create a third,
neutral block within the bipolar world of the Cold War.
U.S.S.R.
From 1948 to 1955, Yugoslavia was excommunicated from the USSR. Having
liberated Yugoslavia from the axis powers during WWII and with little help from the
Red Army (Rajak, 16-17), the government of the Federal People’s Republic of
Yugoslavia (FPRY) did not feel it owed any loyalty to the Soviet Union. Since all of
the other Eastern Bloc states were occupied by Soviet forces during the war, and
therefore could not resist Soviet domination, Yugoslavia was unique in its ability to
defy Moscow. The Tito regime sought to be equal allies with the USSR and to become
the leading communist power in the Balkans, while Stalin saw Yugoslavia as just one
of Moscow’s satellite states (Ramet, 176). Tito created a policy that became known
as Titoism, which sought to form a communist state along Stalinist lines that was
independent of Stalin’s USSR (Pavlowitch, 51). Stalin was further enraged by
Yugoslav meddling in the Greek Civil War, expansionist aspirations in Austria &
Italy, and Tito’s intentions to create a union with Bulgaria and Albania (Ramet, 176).
These tensions came to a head in 1948 at the Cominform Conference in Bucharest,
where the USSR and the satellite states formed a resolution that excommunicated
Yugoslavia, declaring the Tito Regime to be heretical towards communism (Ramet,
177-178). From that point on and until reconciliation in 1955, the Soviet Union and
its satellites made preparations to invade Yugoslavia and dispose of Tito. In
response, Tito was forced to engage in secret talks with Washington and the West in
order to receive Western military support in case of a Soviet invasion (Ramet 182).
With possible involvement of the US and her allies along with the Korean War
raging in the East, Stalin was quietly reluctant to go ahead with an invasion.
Relations between the two communist states improved after Stalin’s death in 1953
and especially after reconciliation in 1955. The less confrontational Nikita
Khrushchev made an official visit to Belgrade in 1955 and negotiated the Belgrade
Declaration with Tito. The declaration ended hostilities between the two countries
and recognized Yugoslavia’s sovereignty in its domestic affairs (Ramet, 200 -201).
U.S.A.
Relations with the United States from 1945 through the end of 1953 experienced
great shifts as a result of the Tito-Stalin Split. Ideological differences between the
two countries formed the basis for poor relations, with Tito’s communism in direct
conflict with Washington’s capitalism. Immediately after the close of WWII, tensions
increased after Draža Mihailović was executed in the summer of 1946 (Roberts,
307). Mihailović was the leader of the Chetniks, a resistance movement during
WWII that supported the prewar monarchy and assisted allied forces in intelligence
gathering. Relations further soured after Yugoslav forces shot down two USAF C-47
Transport planes over Yugoslav airspace within the space of two weeks (Gustin).
Such provocations led many in the US to believe the Tito regime was openly
aggressive towards the US. There was even a movement in Congress to ban all
financial aid to Yugoslavia with Sen. Thomas Dodd declaring that “Tito had bloodied
hands,” (Boyd).
However, confrontation soon made way for cooperation after the Tito -Stalin Split.
Soon after the Cominform Conferance, Secretary of State Dean Acheson and his
British counterpart warned Moscow that an attack on Yugoslavia would carry with
it “serious” consequences (Ramet 182). Both countries needed each other, with
Yugoslavia needing a powerful ally to deter Soviet aggression, and with the US
needing to decrease Moscow’s stock of satellite states; the two states from then on
normalized relations, and worked together to prepare for war with the USSR.
Beginning in 1951, the US began sending arms shipments to Belgrade (Curtis, 47)
and encouraging Tito to sign on to a military alliance with Greece and Turkey. Even
after reconciliation with Moscow, Belgrade continued to hold good relations with
the US as it cemented its leadership of the Non-aligned movement.
Greece
Similarly with its relations with the US, Yugoslav-Greek relations changed
dramatically during the post war era. From 1946 to 1949, Greece was embroiled in a
bitter civil war between the Western supported government and the Greek
Communist Party (KKE). Yugoslavia, with the help of Bulgaria and Albania, took a
leading role in supporting the communists, sending them arms, financial assistance,
military advisers, and even allowing them to utilize Yugoslav terrain as a safe haven
to attack government forces (Ramet 173). Such outright support made the Tito
regime an arch enemy of the rightest Greek government. However, Belgrade’s
involvement in Greece infuriated Stalin, who felt meddling in the civil war would
create too much unnecessary conflict with the West. Yugoslavia’s Greek policy was
one of the causes of the Tito-Soviet Split. As a result of the split, the Greek
Communist party sided with Stalin, forcing Tito to abandon all support for them in
1948 (Ramet 174). With the loss of Yugoslav aid, the KKE gradually weakened and
surrendered to government forces in late 1949.
After becoming a target for invasion by the Eastern Bloc and the USSR, Yugoslavia
was in a dangerous position with no outside support. Out of desperation, Tito
desired better relations with the West while still separating itself from capitalism.
As a result, Yugoslav-Greek relations from 1949 onward improved steadily.
Relations became normalized by 1950, and several trade agreements were signed in
1951 (Stone 397). However, Tito refused to consider the notion of joining NATO,
which Greece was eagerly trying to join. He was still a fully committed communist
and abhorred the idea of replacing the USSR with the USA. It was from this situation
that the Greek Foreign Ministry came up with the idea for a military alliance
between Greece, Yugoslavia, and Turkey that would be outside of NATO and
therefore allow Yugoslavia to receive indirect Western support in the event of Soviet
invasion (Stone 393). This alliance would eventually come into being in 1953 after
great diplomatic efforts by Greece and Turkey, and would become known as the
Balkan Pact (Stone 393-407). Even with Belgrade officially on board, Tito did not
trust Greece or the West and only maintained its membership within the pact while
Soviet relations remained sour. As such, Yugoslav-Greek relations never reached a
point beyond forced cooperation and were constantly plagued by mistrust and
resentment.
Economy:
In 1953, the Yugoslav economy was planned around the Marxist-Leninist model.
The country was experiencing a transition from the use of Stalinist economic
policies, such as collectivized agriculture and five year plans, to a uniquely Yugoslav
version of the Marxist Leninist model. The main innovation of this model was the
decentralizing self-management system.
Domestic Economy
Agriculture
By 1950, 96% of Yugoslav farmland was under control of the state as a result of the
collectivization initiative enacted by the government in 1949 (Curtis, 125). As a
result of this policy, agricultural production decreased drastically and exacerbated
the damaging effects of the 1950 and 1952 droughts, forcing the government to
abandon the policy by the end of 1952 (Curtis, 127).
Industry
During this time period, industrial output was expanding at the fastest rate in world,
thanks to a high rate of investment (Curtis, 127). The government also
implemented a policy known as self-management. This program gave workers,
organized in communes and workers councils, decision making power over
achieving loose production goals set forth by the central government (Curtis, 127).
These workers groups took the role of CEOs or executive boards that would make
decision making in capitalist economies.
Foreign Trade
Throughout 1953, Yugoslavia experienced a shift in foreign trade as a result of the
Tito-Stalin Split. After 1948, the communist bloc instituted a trade embargo on
Yugoslavia, causing a 50% drop in trade (Curtis 126). From then on, dependence on
the West for capital equipment, fuel, raw materials, and loans increased
significantly.
Exports:
Yugoslavia did not have any major export industries at this time.
Imports:
Capital equipment, fuel, raw materials for intense industrial development, credit
(Curtis 155).
Government:
IDEOLOGY
A form of communism, known as "Titoism," was the ideological basis of the
government. Named after Dictator Josip Broz Tito, Titoism, for the most part,
believes in the Stalinist approach to Marxism/Leninism, but espouses complete
autonomy from the Soviet Union (Pavlowich, 60). Titoism also argues for a greater
emphasis on employing government mechanisms to promote the withering away of
the state, which was favored by Marxists Friedrich Engels and Vladimir Lenin
(Ramet, 183). Those communists who still supported the Stalinist approach, known
as Cominformists, were purged and considered enemies of the state (Ramet, 183).
STRUCTURE
The FPRY was a one-party state ruled by Dictator Josip Broz Tito and his League of
Communists of Yugoslavia Party (LCY). With membership exclusively held for the
LCY, the federal government was composed of the Federal Executive Council (FEC)
and the Federal People's Assembly.
FEC:
The FEC acted as the executive branch of the national government and was
composed of only five secretaries and several Vice-Presidents who made decisions
on national affairs and foreign policy. The FEC is the inspiration for the committee
you are currently sitting on.
The Federal People's Assembly:
The Federal People's Assembly was a bicameral parliamentary body that
represented the regional and economic interests of the Yugoslav people. The federal
chamber represented the interests of the constituent republics (Slovenia, Croatia,
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, and Macedonia). This chamber is comparable to the
US House of Representatives.
The Chamber of Producers:
The Chamber of Producers represented the economic interests of the many workers
groups organized by the self-management structure of society.
POWER
Even with all these bureaucratic structures, real decision making power over any
aspect of Yugoslav society was solely held by Josip Broz Tito and his LCY party.
Military:
The military establishment exerted significant clout within the YPA. With Tito acting
as his own minister of defense, control of the armed forces what securely held by
the state (Curtis, 232). During this period, the biggest perceived threat in the
military's point of view was an invasion by the Soviet Union (Curtis, 232). As such,
many preparations were made for possible soviet attack.
STRUCTURE (Curtis, 232)
In 1953, the armed forces of Yugoslavia was organized as the Yugoslav People's
Army (YPA) and consisted of some 500,000 troops. The YPA was divided into three
branches: the army, air force, and navy.
FUNDING/WEAPONRY
A large amount of Yugoslav productivity went towards the national security sector,
with military expenditures consuming 22% of Yugoslav GNP. The United States
became a major source of weapons, funding, and training after the Tito-Stalin split.
A Formal United States Military Assistance Advisory Group (MAAG) was established
in 1951 to arrange military support after Yugoslavia's security became a national
interest of the US after 1948. Because of this support from the Americans, the
yugoslav military had at its disposal many advanced American made weapons.
Delegates:
President Josip Bros Tito (Chair)
Dictator, Supreme Commander of the Army, the most powerful man in Yugoslavia
Edvard Kardelj (Vice-Chair)
A vice-president (VP) of the FEC, second most powerful man in Tito’s regime
Milovan Djilas
A VP of the FEC, in charge of propaganda
Aleksandar Rancović
A VP of the FEC, head of military intelligence and secret police, and Serb Nationalist
Moše Pijade
Vice-President, a VP of the FEC, and Deputy Head of State
Koca Popovic
Secretary of State of Foreign Affairs
General Ivan Gošnjak
Secretary of State for National Defense
Svetislav Stefanovic
Secretary of State for Internal Affairs
Dushan Calich
Secretary of State for National Economy
Radislav Nedeljkovic
Secretary of State for Budget and State Administration
Sergej Kraigher
Governor of the National Bank of Yugoslavia
General Peko Dapčević
Chief of the Yugoslav Army General Staff
Works Cited
Boyd , James . "Supporter Claims Tom Dodd was Right on Major Issues."
Sunday Herald
15 Dec 1957, n. pag. Print.
Curtis, Glen. Yugoslavia: a country study. Third. Washington, D.C.: Federal
Research
Divison, Library of Congress, 1992. Print.
Gustin , Emmanuel . "Cold War Shootdowns."http://users.skynet.be. N.p., n.d.
Web. 19 Jun
2012.
Ramet, Sabrina P. The Three Yugoslavias, State-building And Legitimation,
1918-2005.
Indiana University Press, 2006. Print.
Roberts, Walter. Tito, Mihailovic, and the Allies. New Brunswick : Rutgers
University
Press, 1973. Print.
Stone , David . "The Balkan Pact and American Policy, 1950-1955." East
European
Quarterly. 28.3 (1994): 393-407. Print.