The Balkans

The tragedies of Bosnia and Kosovo are often explained away as the unchangeable legacy of 'centuries-old hatreds'. In this richly detailed, expertly balanced chronicle of the Balkans across fifteen centuries, Hupchick sets a complicated record straight. Organized around the three great civilizations of the region - Western European, Orthodox Christian and Muslim - this is a much-needed guide to the political, social, cultural and religious threads of Balkan history, with a clear, convincing account of the reasons for nationalist violence and terror.

Maps Introduction: Land, People, and Culture PART I: ERA OF BYZANTINE HEGEMONY, 600-1355 East Romans, Slaves, and Bulgars The First Bulgarian Empire Byzantium Declines Serbia Preeminent Further Readings: Part One PART II: ERA OF OTTOMAN DOMINATION, 1355-1804 Ottoman Conquest The 'Ottoman System' The Balkan Peoples Under the Ottomans Ottoman Destabilization Further Readings: Part Two PART III: ERA OF ROMANTIC NATIONALISM, 1804-1878 The Rise of Romantic Nationalism Revolutions and Resurrected States Ottoman 'Reform' Efforts The 'Eastern Question' Further Readings: Part Three PART IV: ERA OF NATION-STATE NATIONALISM, 1878-1944 Early Nation-States National Conflicts World War I and Versailles The Interwar Years and World War II Further Readings: Part Four PART V: ERA OF SOCIALIST DOMINATION, 1945-1991 Communist Takeover The Greek Exception Splits in Socialism Communist Decline and Collapse Further Readings: Part V