History
The Croats are believed to be a purely Slavic people who migrated from Ukraine and
settled in present-day Croatia during the 6th century. After a period of self-rule,
Croatians agreed to the Pacta Conventa in 1091, submitting themselves to Hungarian
authority. By the mid-1400s, concerns over Ottoman expansion led the Croatian Assembly
to invite the Habsburgs, under Archduke Ferdinand, to assume control over Croatia.
Habsburg rule proved successful in thwarting the Ottomans, and by the 18th century,
much of Croatia was free of Turkish control.
In 1868, Croatia gained domestic autonomy
while remaining under Hungarian authority. Following World War I and the demise of
the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Croatia joined the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes
(The Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes became Yugoslavia in 1929). Yugoslavia
changed its name once again after World War II. The new state became the Federal
Socialist Republic of Yugoslavia and united Croatia and several other states together
under the communistic leadership of Marshall Tito.
The Croats arrive at the Adriatic sea
After the death of Tito and with the fall of communism throughout eastern Europe,
the Yugoslav federation began to crumple. Croatia held its first multi-party elections
since World War II in 1990. Long-time Croatian nationalist Franjo Tudjman was elected
President, and one year later, Croatians declared independence from Yugoslavia. Conflict
between Serbs and Croats in Croatia escalated, and one month after Croatia declared
independence, civil war erupted.
The United Nations mediated a cease-fire in January 1992, but hostilities resumed
the next year when Croatia fought to regain one-third of the territory lost the previous
year.
The death of President Tudjman in December 1999, followed by the election of a coalition
government and president in early 2000, brought significant changes to Croatia. The
government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Racan,progressed in implementation
of the Dayton Peace Accords, regional cooperation, refugee returns, national reconciliation,
and democratization.
On November 23, 2003, National elections were held for parliament.
The new government, headed by Prime Minister Ivo Sanader, took office in December
2003.
A second cease-fire was enacted in May 1993, followed by a joint declaration the
next January between Croatia and Yugoslavia. However, in September 1993, the Croatian
Army led an offensive against the Serb-held Republic of Krajina. A third cease-fire
was called in March 1994, but it, too, was broken in May and August 1995 after Croatian
forces regained large portions of Krajina, prompting an exodus of Serbs from this
area. In November 1995, Croatia agreed to peacefully reintegrate Eastern Slavonia,
Baranja, and Western Dirmium under terms of the Erdut Agreement. In December 1995,
Croatia signed the Dayton peace agreement, committing itself to a permanent cease-fire
and the return of all refugees.
Charles the Great with Popes Gelasisus I and Gregory I
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