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Nationalism and Post-War Europe
Overview of Nationalism:
Nationalism is a sense of solidarity among people who share the same language and cultural history, often leading to a desire for a separate, independent state.
After World War II, nationalist uprisings occurred across Europe, driven by groups seeking independence or greater autonomy.
Chechen Nationalist Movement:
The Chechen nationalist movement arose among Chechen Muslims in the southernmost region of Russia.
Chechens harbored deep anti-Russian sentiment that had persisted for over three centuries.
When the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, Chechnya declared independence and operated under its own government for about three years.
In 1994, Russia moved to reassert control over Chechnya, leading to a series of deadly conflicts in which over 100,000 Chechens were killed.
The conflict ultimately ended in 2017 with a Russian victory, and Chechnya has since been officially part of the Russian Federation.
Irish Nationalist Movement (The Troubles):
After World War I, Ireland was divided into two separate nations: Ireland (primarily Catholic) and Northern Ireland (primarily Protestant).
The Protestant North remained loyal to Britain, while the Catholic South sought independence.
Tensions escalated due to the presence of Catholic minorities in Northern Ireland and Protestant minorities in the South, with the Northern Catholic minority facing significant discrimination.
A civil rights movement emerged among Northern Ireland’s Catholics, leading to violent clashes and the British government sending in troops to suppress the rebellion.
The British government's execution of resistance leaders only intensified anti-British sentiment among the Catholic minority in Northern Ireland and the Catholic majority in the South.
The violence, known as "The Troubles," continued for decades, and in 1972, Northern Ireland came under direct British rule, which lasted until 1998.
The conflict largely ended with the signing of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998, which granted more sovereignty to Northern Ireland.
Separatist Movements in Post-War Europe
Overview of Separatist Movements:
Various separatist movements emerged in Europe after World War II, challenging the post-war peace by seeking autonomy or independence from existing states.
These movements were often driven by ethnic, cultural, or linguistic differences.
Basque Separatist Movement (Spain):
The Basque separatist movement was centered on the eastern border of Spain, involving a group of about 2 million ethnically homogenous Basque people.
The Basques have long held anti-Spanish sentiment and have fought for decades for the right of self-determination and political independence from Spain.
The violent wing of the Basque separatist movement, known as ETA (Euskadi Ta Askatasuna), was founded in 1959.
ETA engaged in bombings, assassinations, and kidnappings to draw international attention to their cause and to pressure the Spanish government to recognize Basque independence.
Despite these efforts, the Basques did not achieve independence, and ETA officially disbanded in 2018.
Flemish Separatist Movement (Belgium):
In Belgium, the Flemish separatist movement is rooted in the cultural and linguistic divide between the Flemish people in the North and the Walloons in the South.
The Walloons, who speak French, traditionally held most of the power and wealth in Belgium, while the Flemish, who speak Dutch, were marginalized.
Throughout the 20th century, the Flemish North staged movements seeking either independence or annexation by the Netherlands, with which they share cultural similarities.
Although the Flemish have not yet achieved a formal break from Belgium, the tension between the Flemish and Walloons has persisted for many years.
Ethnic Cleansing in Post-War Europe
Definition of Ethnic Cleansing:
Ethnic cleansing is the systematic killing of members of an unwanted ethnic group, often with the intention of removing them from a particular area.
Ethnic Cleansing in Bosnia and Herzegovina:
Bosnia and Herzegovina was part of Yugoslavia, a nation created after World War I with borders drawn by the victorious powers, without regard for the ethnic diversity within those borders.
Yugoslavia was a multi-ethnic nation held together under the authoritarian rule of Josip Tito from the end of World War II until his death in 1980.
After Tito's death, the various ethnic groups within Yugoslavia began to push for independence, driven by strong nationalist sentiments.
Bosnia and Herzegovina declared independence in 1992, leading to a violent conflict, particularly with the Serbian minority in the region.
Slobodan Milošević, the President of Serbia, sought to consolidate control over the former Yugoslav republics. In response to Bosnia's declaration of independence, Milošević sent Serbian troops into Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Serbian forces carried out a campaign of ethnic cleansing against Bosnian Muslims, involving large-scale murder, destruction of property, and the herding of survivors into concentration camps.
By the time NATO intervened in 1995, almost 300,000 Bosnian Muslims had been killed in this genocidal campaign.
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