History of Croatia

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History of Croatia

The history of Croatia dates back to the early medieval period, with the arrival of the Croats in the 7th century. The region has been influenced by various cultures and empires, including the Roman Empire, the Byzantine Empire, the Ottoman Empire, and the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

Early History

The area now known as Croatia was inhabited during the prehistoric period. The Illyrians were among the first known inhabitants, followed by the Celts and later the Romans. The Romans established the province of Dalmatia and built several cities, including Split and Dubrovnik.

Medieval Croatia

In the 7th century, the Croats, a Slavic people, migrated to the region. By the 9th century, they had established two principalities: Pannonian Croatia and Dalmatian Croatia. The first Croatian king, King Tomislav, was crowned in 925, uniting the two principalities into the Kingdom of Croatia.

Union with Hungary

In 1102, Croatia entered into a personal union with the Kingdom of Hungary under the Pacta Conventa. This union lasted for several centuries, during which Croatia retained a significant degree of autonomy.

Ottoman Wars

During the 15th and 16th centuries, Croatia faced significant threats from the Ottoman Empire. The Battle of Krbava Field in 1493 and the Battle of Mohács in 1526 were significant defeats for the Croatian forces. Much of Croatia fell under Ottoman control, leading to a period of turmoil and depopulation.

Habsburg Monarchy

In the late 17th century, the Habsburg Monarchy began to reclaim Croatian territories from the Ottomans. By the end of the 17th century, most of Croatia was under Habsburg control. The region became part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1867.

20th Century

After World War I, Croatia became part of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes, later known as Yugoslavia. During World War II, the Independent State of Croatia was established as a Nazi puppet state. After the war, Croatia became a republic within the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

Independence

In 1991, Croatia declared independence from Yugoslavia, leading to the Croatian War of Independence. The war lasted until 1995, resulting in significant casualties and displacement. Croatia was internationally recognized as an independent state in 1992 and became a member of the European Union in 2013.

Related Pages

• Croatian War of Independence
• Kingdom of Croatia (925–1102)
• Pacta Conventa (Croatia)
• Austro-Hungarian Empire
• Yugoslavia
• European Union