When Bosnia voted for independence, Bosnian Serb leaders refused to accept it. Rival nationalist aims for the same land led to war in April 1992.
Bosnia was the most mixed republic. In 1991 about 44 per cent of its people were Bosniaks (Bosnian Muslims), 31 per cent Serbs and 17 per cent Croats. Each group was linked to a religion: Islam, Orthodox Christianity or Catholicism.
Each community had its own nationalist party. Bosniak leader Alija Izetbegovic wanted a united, independent Bosnia. Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic wanted Serb areas to stay with Serbia. Many Bosnian Croat leaders wanted links with Croatia.
In a referendum in early 1992, boycotted by most Serbs, voters chose independence. Bosnia declared independence in March, and the European Community recognised it on 6 April 1992.
War began in April 1992. Bosnian Serb forces, armed by the Yugoslav army and backed by Milosevic, seized about 70 per cent of Bosnia. The siege of Sarajevo began and lasted almost four years.
Religion marked the lines between groups, but the war was mainly about territory and national power. Leaders used religious symbols to rally their communities.
- 1991 population
- About 44% Bosniak, 31% Serb, 17% Croat.
- Recognition
- 6 April 1992, by the European Community.
- Siege of Sarajevo
- April 1992 to early 1996.
Worked example: Explaining the outbreak
Why did war break out in Bosnia in 1992?
- Nationalism: three groups with rival aims for one state.
- Domestic politics: nationalist parties and leaders.
- External states: Serbia armed the Bosnian Serbs.
- Trigger: the independence referendum and recognition.
Watch out for this
The Bosnian War was a religious war.
Religion marked identity, but after decades of communism most people were not very religious. The war was a struggle over territory and national power.
Check your understanding
Why did Bosnian Serb leaders oppose independence in 1992?
- They wanted Serb areas to stay linked to Serbia.
- They wanted Bosnia to join Croatia.
- They wanted the UN to rule Bosnia.