Communists Rise to Power
In the newly created country, the illegal Communist Party of Yugoslavia (CPY) began underground political work in connection with the Soviet Union. Josip Broz Tito, the son of Croatian and Slovene peasants, became involved with the Party in 1923 and rose to a prominent leadership position.
World War II
In 1941, when Axis powers invaded and occupied Yugoslavia, Tito organized a Communist resistance force known as the Partisans. As the Yugoslav government collapsed, nationalist groups fought with the Partisans for control of the war-torn country.
Tito led the only united Yugoslav fighting force and promoted Yugoslav patriotism. His political message and military success prompted thousands from all ethnic groups to join the Partisans, and also gained him support from the West. Tito's guerrilla army liberated Yugoslavia from Axis control by 1943. The CPY, under Tito's leadership, had secured control of Yugoslavia.
Tito led the only united Yugoslav fighting force and promoted Yugoslav patriotism. His political message and military success prompted thousands from all ethnic groups to join the Partisans, and also gained him support from the West. Tito's guerrilla army liberated Yugoslavia from Axis control by 1943. The CPY, under Tito's leadership, had secured control of Yugoslavia.
"Together with the patriotic slogan of fighting against the invading enemy came the battle cry for a better and more just future for the people and nations of Yugoslavia. Tito managed, for the first time in their history, to bring together significant numbers of all Yugoslav nations to fight for a common cause." |