The Birth of Yugoslavia, Volume 2

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

24781

Title

The Birth of Yugoslavia, Volume 2

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Henry Baerlein's *The Birth of Yugoslavia, Volume II* chronicles the fragile new state's first turbulent years (1918–1921). Blending political analysis with vivid accounts of Italian aggression in Dalmatia, Romanian lawlessness in the Banat, and internal ethnic tensions, the text offers a gritty, eyewitness perspective on the region's struggle for cohesion amidst foreign interference and domestic instability.

Summary up to 500 words

Henry Baerlein's *The Birth of Yugoslavia, Volume 2* chronicles the turbulent consolidation of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes following the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The narrative focuses on the chaotic transition from 1918 to 1921, a period Baerlein terms the 'First Year of Liberty' followed by months of intense trial. The new state faced immediate existential threats from external powers and deep internal divisions. Externally, Italy posed a significant challenge, driven by irredentist ambitions in Dalmatia and Istria. Baerlein details the Italian occupation of islands like Vis and Hvar, the landing at Pola, and the aggressive behavior of Italian forces in towns such as Zadar and Krk. The situation escalated dramatically with the intervention of Gabriele D'Annunzio in Fiume (Rieka), turning the city into a focal point of melodrama and farce involving the Italian Navy and local Croats. Simultaneously, Romania incursioned into the Banat, where local notaries were targeted and villages plundered by Romanian irregulars before Serbian and French forces restored order. The book also addresses the precarious status of Albania and the difficult frontier relations with the Mirditi and other Albanian tribes. Domestically, the new kingdom struggled to overcome centuries of separation between Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes. Baerlein explores the 'Slovene question' in Carinthia, agrarian unrest, and the complex political dynamics required to forge a unified identity. He highlights the harsh realities of occupation, military movements, and diplomatic maneuvers at the Peace Conference. Baerlein's tone is critical yet comprehensive, arguing that while the dream of union was nearer to fulfillment, the path was fraught with 'new foes for old.' He suggests that the survival of the state required magnanimity and political wisdom to navigate these 'birth pangs.' The volume concludes by examining the national characteristics of the constituent peoples and the difficult task of putting the new nation's house in order amidst economic difficulties, social unrest, and the lingering shadows of the Great War.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

Download URL

https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/24781.epub.noimages

Local file path

data/epubs/pg24781.epub

Download EPUB

Downloaded at

2026-07-03 16:46 UTC

Categories

• History
• Politics