Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Socijalistička Federativna Republika Jugoslavija Социјалистичка Федеративна Република Југославија
1945–1992
Flag Coat of arms
Motto: Bratstvo i jedinstvo "Brotherhood and Unity"
Anthem: "Hej, Sloveni'"' "Hej, Sloveni"
Capital	Belgrade
Common languages	Serbo-Croatian, Slovene, and Macedonian
Government	Various
President
• 1945 - 1953 (first)	Ivan Ribar
• 1953 - 1980	Josip Broz Tito
• 1991 - 1992 (last)	Stjepan Mesić
Prime Minister
• 1945 - 1953 (first)	Josip Broz Tito
• 1989 - 1991 (last)	Ante Marković
Historical era	Cold War
• Proclamation	November 29 1945
• UN membership	24 October 1945
• Constitutional reform	21 February 1974
• Secessions	25 June 1991 - 27 April 1992 1992
Area
July 1989	255,804 km2 (98,766 sq mi)
Population
• July 1989	23724919
Currency	Yugoslav dinar
Time zone	UTC+1
Calling code	38
Preceded by Succeeded by Kingdom of Yugoslavia Kingdom of Italy (1861–1946) Slovenia Croatia Republic of Macedonia Bosnia and Herzegovina Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

The Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (often called SFR Yugoslavia or just Yugoslavia) was a country in Southeast Europe. It existed from 1945, right after World War II, until it broke apart in 1992.

Yugoslavia was a federation, which means it was made of several smaller states joined together. These states were Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, and Slovenia. It was a socialist state, which means the government controlled many parts of the economy and society.

After World War II, a temporary government was set up in August 1945. Elections were held in November 1945. Josip Broz Tito and his People's Front party won these elections. Tito became the leader and played a very important role in Yugoslavia's history.

What Was Yugoslavia?

Yugoslavia was a unique country during the Cold War. It was socialist but tried to stay independent from both the United States and the Soviet Union. This idea was called the Non-Aligned Movement.

The country had different languages, cultures, and religions. The government tried to promote "Brotherhood and Unity" among all its people.

The End of Yugoslavia

Yugoslavia started to break apart in the early 1990s. This happened because of political changes and disagreements between the different republics. Several republics decided to become independent countries.

This led to the Yugoslav Wars, which were a series of conflicts. By 1992, the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia had formally dissolved. The two remaining states, Serbia and Montenegro, formed a new country called the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. However, many international leaders did not see this new country as the direct continuation of the old SFR Yugoslavia.

Countries That Were Part of Yugoslavia

Today, the area that was once Yugoslavia is made up of several independent countries. People sometimes call these countries the "former Yugoslavia."

Here are the countries that used to be part of SFR Yugoslavia:

•  Slovenia (became independent in 1991)
•  Croatia (became independent in 1991)
•  Macedonia (became independent in 1991)
•  Bosnia and Herzegovina (became independent in 1992)
• Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) (existed from 1992 to 2006)
  •  Montenegro (became independent in 2006)
  •  Serbia (became independent in 2006)
    •  Kosovo (declared independence in 2008; recognized by many UN countries)

Key Leaders of Yugoslavia

Yugoslavia had several important leaders during its time.

• Josip Broz Tito: He was the most famous leader. He led Yugoslavia from 1953 until he passed away in 1980. He was known for keeping the country united.
• Other leaders served as presidents or prime ministers before and after Tito.

Images for kids

• 

  Marshal Josip Broz Tito led Yugoslavia from 1944 to 1980.

• 

  Yugoslav ration stamps for milk, 1950

• 

  Tito in 1973

• 

  U.S.–Yugoslavia summit, 1978

• 

  Vukovar water tower during the Siege of Vukovar in eastern Croatia, 1991. The tower came to symbolize the town's resistance to Serb forces.

• 

  The parliament building of Bosnia and Herzegovina burning amid the Yugoslav wars

• 

  JAT McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30 at Sydney Airport, 1985, with classic livery

• 

  General map of Yugoslavia

• 

  The main building of the University of Zagreb and adjacent Faculty of Law

• 

  The Belgrade Law School building

• 

  The main building of the University of Ljubljana

• 

  Ivo Andrić, awarded the 1961 Nobel Prize for Literature

• 

  2008 map of the former Yugoslavia

See also

In Spanish: República Federativa Socialista de Yugoslavia para niños