Why Did the breakup of Yugoslavia lead to increase ethnic conflict?

1. Yugoslavia was a multiethnic country with a complex history of ethnic relations. Many different ethnic groups had lived together the same region for centuries, but they had often been at odds with one another. The breakup of Yugoslavia provided an opportunity for these ethnic groups to assert their independence and this led to conflict between them.

2. The breakup of Yugoslavia was not a clean and orderly process. In some cases, it was accompanied by violence and bloodshed. This violence further inflamed ethnic tensions and made it more difficult to resolve conflicts peacefully.

3. The international community was not always able to effectively intervene to prevent or resolve ethnic conflict in Yugoslavia. This allowed conflicts to escalate and become more entrenched, leading to further bloodshed and destruction.

4. The breakup of Yugoslavia also led to a decline in the economy, which further exacerbated ethnic tensions. As people struggled to make ends meet, they were more likely to blame other ethnic groups for their problems, which in turn led to increased conflict.

5. The breakup of Yugoslavia also created a power vacuum, which allowed extremist groups to gain influence. These groups often exploited ethnic tensions to their advantage, further fueling the conflict.