The Second World War
The Yugoslav government signed a treaty in March 1941 to join the alliance of Germany, Italy, and Japan in the war, but news of this event caused a massive revolt with people taking to the streets. Thus brought about a military coup and the new government annulled the agreement with the Germans. This sparked an immediate reaction from Germany’s leader, Hitler who had Belgrade bombed early on 6 April 1941 along with an attack by his army without declaring war on the country. After a short period of resistance the Yugoslav Royal Army was defeated.
The Germans established puppet governments in Croatia, and Belgrade, while Italy occupied Montenegro.
The resistance against Germany and Italy was underway and on 7 July 1941 Communists carried out an armed rebellion against the occupiers of their country. Josip Broz Tito (Tito) led the Communist Partisan Movement. The Communist leaders held a conference in November 1942 at Bihać in Bosnia Herzegovina and formed the Anti-Fascist Council for the National Liberation. In November 1943 another conference was held and the group declared themselves to be the government of Yugoslavia. The Communist Partisan Movement with the help of the Russians fought the German, Italians, Croatian Ustashas (pro-Fascists), and Serbian Chetniks (old royalists) until October 1944 when they were able to liberate Belgrade.
[Back] [Top]
Copyright © 2005 Heritage Community Foundation. All Rights Reserved
