Post-Cold War Europe(after 1991)

Timeline

1939 1945 1989 1991

WWII Cold War

USSR dissolves

Revolutions of 1989

Common Patterns: Economics1. neoliberalism (tough-minded

capitalism)a. US modelb. global trend

2. globalization3. reaction against neoliberalism

Common Patterns: Politics1. democracy2. resurgent nationalism (ex.

Yugoslavia)3. European unity – desire to join

EU

Yugoslav civil wars, 1990s

Slobodan Milosevic, Serbian president (1989-2000)

He sought to unite all Balkan Serbs in a “greater Serbia”: “We believe that Serbs have the legitimate right to live in one country. If

we must fight then by God, we will fight.”

Croatian war (1991)

Croatia declared independence in 1991.

Croatia’s Serb minority looked to Milosevic for support.

Serbian forces took about 30% of Croatia’s territory.

UN imposed economic sanctions on Serbia.

Bosnian war (1992-1995)

Bosnia declared independence in 1992. Serbs, led by Milosevic, refused to live under rule of Bosniaks (Bosnian Muslims). Civil war ensued.

Srebenica massacre in 1995 finally prompted a NATO response.

Dayton Accords (1995) concluded the war & split land between the sides. NATO and UN forces remained to keep the peace.

Kosovo war (1999)

Kosovo’s Albanian Muslim majority did not want to be under Serbian rule.

1998: formation of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) to fight for independence.

Fighting ensued between Serbians and Kosovars.

NATO began bombing in 1999 and forced Milosevic to withdraw.

Yugoslavia (1918-1991/92)Slovenia (1991 - Yugoslavia)Croatia (1991 - Yugoslavia)Macedonia (1991 - Yugoslavia)Bosnia and Herzegovina (1992 -

Yugoslavia)Serbia (2006 - Serbia and

Montenegro)Montenegro (2006 - Serbia and

Montenegro)Kosovo (2008 - Serbia)

Russia Today

Vladimir Putin

2000-2008: President

2008-2012: PM2012-?: President

Russian Constitution,

Chapter 4, Article 81.3:

“No one person shall hold the office of President of the Russian Federation for more than two terms in succession.”

In 2008, Medvedev signed into law a constitutional amendment that extended the presidential term from 4 to 6 years.

Russia 2008-2012

PM Vladimir Putin

Pres. Dmitry Medvedev

In The Economist, 8 May 2008

Putin’s Popularity?Very popular in the 2000s for helping to

restore economic prosperity and security after the tumultuous 1990s.

In 2011-2012 growing discontent erupted into street protests, led by the middle class, which was only 15% of the pop. in 2000 and was 25% in 2012. The middle class tends to be educated and wants a democratic gov’t (like the middle class of the 19th c. … remember Metternich’s concerns?).

His annexation of the Crimea in 2014 arrested the trend – approval ratings are up to 90% in 2015 (“How Vladimir Putin tries to stay strong,” The Economist 18 April 2015).

Pussy Riotfeminist rock group, founded in 20113 members arrested and convicted in

2012 of “hooliganism motivated by religious hatred” following a performance at a Moscow cathedral that protested the Orthodox Church’s support for Putin

Chechnyatiny republic of 1m Muslims that

declared ind. from Russia in 1991 but Russia won’t let it go

violent separatist movement

Georgia & South OssetiaRussia invaded Georgia in 2008 to

support Russian separatists in South Ossetia

UkraineUkrainian Pres. Viktor Yanukovych’s

decision in Nov. 2013 to pull out of an association deal with the EU sparked huge street protests that eventually led to his downfall.

In March 2014, Russia reacted by annexing the Ukrainian region of Crimea and unrest is growing in eastern Ukraine, where pro-Russian sentiment is strong. Meanwhile, relations between the West and Moscow have soured dramatically.

- Summary from BBC News, April 2014

Feb. 20, 2014 – bloodiest day of protest in the Maidan (Independence Square) in Kiev.

“Putin doing manly things”http://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/vladimir-putin-doing-manly-things/

21ST C. CHALLENGES

Population Decline

2000: 1.2-1.8 children/woman (vs. 2.1 for pop. maintenance)

Cause: postpone childbearing for edu. & career

Consequences: social security costs, economic productivity

Immigration into W. Europe From Africa, Asia, E. Europe For asylum, $$$ Illegal immigrants

– people smuggling gangs– young E. European women– controversy: majority opposed

Promotion of human rights Humanitarian intervention in

conflicts (ex. Yugoslav civil war) Support UN-sponsored treaties

on human rights (ex. outlaw land mines)

ICJ in The Hague Liberal laws, ex. Netherlands Help poor nations (ex. facilitate

spread of AIDS drugs in Africa)