Description
Book SynopsisThe Balkan Peninsula is often referred to as the powder keg of Europe. However, it would be more accurate to refer to this area as the melting pot of Europe. Author Alexandru Madgearu discusses the ethnic heterogeneity in modern day Bosnia, Kosovo, and Macedonia and traces its history in The Wars of the Balkan Peninsula: Their Medieval Origins. Madgearu examines the historical evolutions that led to the genesis of several conflict areas in the Balkans. These areas, and the events that took place in them, transformed the Balkan Peninsula into a very intricate ethnic mosaic, where no group of people has the majority within a large area. The various ethnic and religious differences these groups possess have survived the many occupations of this land over the years, whether it be by the Roman, Byzantine, or Ottoman Empires, and then became manifest when the modern Balkan states were created. With the dissolution of any strong outside force dominating the area, the Balkan statesprompted by political propaganda and nationalist ideologiesused history to support territorial claims, defend ethnic cleansing actions, and justify conflicts with other countries. The Wars of the Balkan Peninsula argues that the current ethnic structure is the basis for the solution of the disputes between the Balkan states and that history should be used to explain, not to legitimize the conflicts.
Trade ReviewThis is a useful book....This book should be read by those who need a generally reliable overview of the background to 'what all the fuss is about' in the Balkans. * The Journal Of Military History, July 2008 *
This scholarly, clearly written account of the origins of the various wars in the Balkan Peninsula treats their medieval antecedents and causes of recent conflicts....Recommended. * CHOICE *
Table of ContentsPart 1 Map Part 2 Preface to the English Translation Part 3 Introduction Part 4 Part I. The Past Chapter 5 1. The Ethnic Aspects Chapter 6 2. The Political Aspects Chapter 7 3. The Religious Aspects Part 8 Part II. The Present. Historical Propaganda and Balkan Nationalist Ideologies Chapter 9 4. Theories of Ethnogenesis with Political Implications Chapter 10 5. The Legitimation of Expansionism by the Abuse of HIstory Chapter 11 6. Conclusion Part 12 Abbreviations Part 13 Bibliography Part 14 Indexes Chapter 15 Geographical Index Chapter 16 People and Persons Index Chapter 17 Author Index Part 18 About the Author
