S7 - Best3

Question 1

Why did Bosnia-Herzegovina hold a referendum (vote) for independence?

Answer 1

Bosnia-Herzegovina wanted to become its own country and separate from Yugoslavia. This happened because different ethnic groups in the region were having conflicts, and other parts of Yugoslavia (like Croatia and Slovenia) had already decided to break away and become independent.

Question 2

What was the response from Croats and Bosnians to the referendum (vote) for independence?

Answer 2

Croats (people from Croatia) and Bosnians (people from Bosnia) agreed to and voted for Bosnia-Herzegovina to become independent. They saw this as an important way to control their own future and make their own decisions as a country.

Question 3

What was the response from Serbs to the referendum (vote) for independence in Bosnia-Herzegovina?

Answer 3

Serbs (people of Serbian ethnicity) refused to participate in the vote for Bosnia’s independence because they were against it. They were worried that if Bosnia became independent, they would lose power and control in the area.

Question 4

Despite Serbian opposition, what was the outcome of the referendum (vote)?

Answer 4

The vote for Bosnia’s independence still took place, even though Serbs refused to participate. As a result, Bosnia officially declared itself an independent country on March 1, 1992.

Question 5

What triggered the declaration of Bosnia’s independence?

Answer 5

After the vote showed support for independence, Bosnia officially declared itself an independent country, even though Serbia was against it.

Question 6

Who was Radovan Karadžić and what role did he play in the Bosnian conflict?

Answer 6

Radovan Karadžić was the leader of the Bosnian Serbs and did not want Bosnia to become independent. Instead, he wanted to create a “Greater Serbia,” which meant expanding Serbian control. During the war that followed, he was responsible for war crimes, including attacks on civilians.

Question 7

What was the Siege of Sarajevo, and who was responsible for it?

Answer 7

Bosnian Serb forces surrounded the city of Sarajevo and blocked supplies from getting in or out. This lasted from 1992 to 1995. During this time, they attacked the city with heavy weapons and snipers, targeting civilians and causing great suffering.

Question 8

What role did ethnic cleansing play in the Bosnian conflict?

Answer 8

Serbian forces deliberately tried to get rid of Bosniaks (Bosnian Muslims) and Croats from certain areas. They did this by using violence, forcing people to leave their homes, and even carrying out mass killings.

Question 9

What happened during the Srebrenica massacre?

Answer 9

In 1995, Bosnian Serb forces killed more than 8,000 Bosniak men and boys, even though Dutch UN peacekeepers were there. The United Nations later officially called this act genocide because it was a deliberate attempt to destroy a group of people. This event is known as the Srebrenica massacre.

Question 10

Why did the UN fail to prevent the Srebrenica massacre?

Answer 10

The UN peacekeepers, including a Dutch unit called Dutchbat, were not given enough power, weapons, or support to stop the killings. Their mission was limited, so they couldn’t take strong action to protect the Bosniaks during the massacre.

Question 11

What role did the United States play in ending the Bosnian War?

Answer 11

The United States helped negotiate peace talks to end the war in Bosnia. Using diplomacy and military pressure, they convinced the fighting sides to agree to a ceasefire. This led to the Dayton Agreement, which officially ended the conflict.

Question 12

What were the key components of the Dayton Agreement?

Answer 12

The Dayton Agreement, signed in December 1995, decided the official borders of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It also set up a government where different ethnic groups share power and divided the country into two parts: the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (mostly Bosniaks and Croats) and Republika Srpska (mostly Serbs).

Question 13

How did the Dayton Agreement impact the Bosnian War?

Answer 13

The Dayton Agreement stopped the fighting and brought peace, but the peace was weak and uncertain. Ethnic groups remained divided, and political tensions in Bosnia and Herzegovina continued even after the war ended.

Question 14

What was the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) and what did they fight for?

Answer 14

The KLA (Kosovo Liberation Army) was a group of ethnic Albanian fighters who wanted Kosovo to become independent from Serbia. They fought mainly because Serbians were oppressing Albanians in Kosovo, and they wanted to protect their people and gain independence.

Question 15

What were the main reasons for the Kosovo War (1998-1999)?

Answer 15

The war started because the Serbian government was mistreating Kosovo Albanians, the KLA began fighting back, and there were already strong ethnic conflicts in the area. These factors together led to the war.

Question 16

How did NATO become involved in the Kosovo War?

Answer 16

After attempts at peaceful negotiations didn’t work, NATO used powerful airstrikes against Serbian forces. Their goal was to stop the suffering of civilians and make Serbia pull its troops out of Kosovo.

Question 17

What was the outcome of NATO’s intervention in Kosovo?

Answer 17

Serbian forces left Kosovo after the war, and the United Nations took control of the region for a while. This set the stage for Kosovo to eventually declare independence in 2008.

Question 18

What was Dutchbat, and what was its role in the Bosnian War?

Answer 18

Dutchbat was a group of Dutch soldiers sent by the United Nations to protect the people in the town of Srebrenica during the Bosnian War. Srebrenica was officially declared a “safe area” by the UN, meaning it was supposed to be a place where civilians could be protected from the fighting.

Question 19

What were the main responsibilities of Dutchbat during their mission in Srebrenica?

Answer 19

Dutchbat’s job was to keep the people in Srebrenica safe from harm, stop any fighting or violence, and protect the Bosniaks (Bosnian Muslims) living there. They were supposed to make sure the civilians weren’t attacked.

Question 20

What was Dutchbat’s response during the Srebrenica massacre?

Answer 20

Dutchbat, despite their mission to protect civilians, faced challenges and didn’t have enough power or resources to stop the Bosnian Serb forces. Under intense pressure, they ultimately allowed the Bosnian Serbs to take over Srebrenica, which led to the tragic massacre of thousands of Bosniak men and boys.

Question 21

Why was Dutchbat criticized during the Srebrenica massacre?

Answer 21

Dutchbat is criticized because, even though their mission was to protect civilians, they didn’t take strong action to stop the Bosnian Serb forces from taking over Srebrenica. Many believe they should have done more to resist or intervene to prevent the massacre.

Question 22

Did Dutchbat directly collaborate with Serbian forces during the massacre?

Answer 22

While Dutchbat was accused of working with the Serbian forces during the Srebrenica massacre, investigations showed that they were actually overwhelmed by the situation. They didn’t have enough resources or power to effectively protect the civilians or stop the Bosnian Serb forces.

Question 23

Was Dutchbat responsible for the massacre in Srebrenica?

Answer 23

Investigations found Dutchbat didn’t directly cause the massacre, but their inability to take strong action or stop the Bosnian Serb forces from taking control of Srebrenica has led to criticism. People question whether they could have done more to prevent the tragedy.

Question 24

What were the limitations on Dutchbat’s actions during the Srebrenica massacre?

Answer 24

Dutchbat couldn’t stop the massacre because their mission was limited (their mandate), they didn’t have enough military resources, and they didn’t receive clear orders to confront the Serb forces. These factors made it very difficult for them to protect the civilians and prevent the violence.

Question 25

Should Dutchbat be held accountable for their action during the massacre?

Answer 25

People argue whether Dutchbat's inability to protect civilians was because they didn’t have enough resources or because they lacked the political will to act. The debate also focuses on whether they should be held legally or morally responsible for the tragedy.

Question 26

How did the welfare state develop in Western Europe post-WWII?

Answer 26

Western European countries created systems to help people who are struggling. These systems included things like free or affordable healthcare, financial support for those who are unemployed, and pensions for people when they retire. The goal was to ensure everyone had a basic level of security and to reduce inequality in society.

Question 27

What was the "Thirty Glorious Years" (1945-1975)?

Answer 27

After World War II, Western Europe experienced a time of fast economic growth and improvement. This was mainly due to rebuilding damaged areas, expanding industries, and making social changes, like creating better healthcare and welfare systems. These efforts helped improve living standards and promote prosperity across the region.

Question 28

How did consumerism rise during the economic boom?

Answer 28

Things like factories producing goods in large quantities, higher wages for workers, and new technologies making life easier, people started buying more products and services. As a result, the economy grew because more people had the money and ability to purchase things they wanted or needed.

Question 29

What was the significance of the May 1968 protests in France?

Answer 29

The May 1968 protests in France were part of a larger movement across Europe where young people challenged established systems, such as authority, capitalism, and old-fashioned values. These protests led to changes in society and politics, as they pushed for more freedom, equality, and reforms in various areas like education and labor rights.

Question 30

What were the key characteristics of the youth movements in the 1960s and 1970s?

Answer 30

Youth movements during this time focused on rejecting traditional authority and values. They promoted ideas like political activism, advocating for civil rights, supporting free love (opposing conservative views on relationships), and challenging old cultural norms. The goal was to create a more open and equal society, questioning the status quo.

Question 31

How did feminism and women’s roles change in Europe during this period?

Answer 31

Feminism grew stronger during this time, pushing for more rights and equality for women. This led to important changes, like the right to make decisions about their own bodies (reproductive rights), equal opportunities in the workplace, and challenging traditional roles that limited what women could do in society.

Question 32

What economic model did Western Europe adopt after WWII?

Answer 32

After World War II, Western Europe adopted a capitalist economic system, which focuses on private businesses and free markets. The U.S. helped by providing financial aid through the Marshall Plan, which helped rebuild economies and infrastructure. This support led to economic growth, the development of political democracy, and social reforms that improved living standards and created more equality.

Question 33

How did Western Europe promote consumerism?

Answer 33

With the help of mass production, advertising, and new technologies, Western Europe saw a shift towards a consumer-driven economy. This meant that more products were being made and sold, leading to higher living standards. People had more access to goods and services than ever before, improving their quality of life and fueling further economic growth.

Question 34

What economic model did Eastern Europe adopt after WWII?

Answer 34

In Eastern Europe, the government controlled the economy through a system called a command economy, where decisions about what to produce and how to allocate resources were made by the state. This system focused on building heavy industries, like steel and machinery, as well as military production, rather than consumer goods, which often limited the availability of everyday products for people.

Question 35

How did political repression manifest in Eastern Europe during this time?

Answer 35

In Eastern Europe, governments controlled by communist regimes often used political repression and censorship to maintain control. People’s freedom of speech and political expression were limited, and any opposition or resistance movements were forcefully suppressed, sometimes through violence or imprisonment. This created a lack of political freedoms for the population.

Question 36

What was the Oil Shock of 1973?

Answer 36

The Oil Shock of 1973 happened when OPEC (the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries) decided to cut back on oil production. This caused oil prices to rise sharply, which led to a global economic crisis. As a result, many countries faced inflation (rising prices for goods and services) and higher unemployment, making it harder for people to afford basic necessities.

Question 37

How did the Oil Shock of 1973 affect European economies?

Answer 37

The Oil Shock of 1973 led to a period of economic stagnation, where growth slowed down. It caused rising unemployment and inflation, making life harder for many people. This event marked the end of the post-WWII economic boom in Europe, as the fast growth and prosperity of the previous decades came to a halt.

Question 38

How did the internet revolutionize the global economy post-1973?

Answer 38

The internet made it easier for markets around the world to connect, allowing businesses to communicate and trade with each other instantly. This helped multinational companies expand, and it transformed industries by making information and services more accessible, enabling faster growth and creating new opportunities for global business.

Question 39

What was the significance of the rise of multinational corporations?

Answer 39

Multinational corporations (MNCs) began operating in multiple countries, which boosted global trade and investment. This expansion made economies more connected and interdependent, meaning that what happens in one country could affect others. MNCs played a key role in creating a more globalized economy.