Croatia is currently an independent nation in Eastern Europe. It has rich culture and a compelling past. Since 1918, Croatia was one of fourteen different nations that made up the country of Yugoslavia. Although many Croats felt connected to the other citizens of Yugoslavia, nationalistic movements gained popularity due to ethnic tensions between the republics. The Croatian government felt that the government was not benefitting them as much as it should, and therefore declared independence in 1991. Due to Croatia’s 20th century history and role in recent events, it has evolved into an influential nation that participates with stronger countries in political and economical affairs.
During the second World War, Germany began to take over …show more content…
Due to its geographical location, Croatia has become a popular route for Syrian refugees to travel through on their way to Europe. In September of 2015, shortly after Hungary closed their borders, a stream of refugees sought safe passage through Croatia (Ivan Watson). Croatia welcomed them with open borders, but soon after found themselves overwhelmed. Still scarred by civil war, Croatia’s lack of stability and organization led to an irresponsible handling of increased immigration. Their request to the EU for additional police went ignored, leading to groups of up to 8,000 migrants passing through borders at a time during October (Simon Tomlinson). By March 2016 however, Croatia reversed its decision and chose to close off its borders to all refugees, resulting in thousands being stranded. Croatia’s handling of the migrant crisis demonstrates its dominant influence over the Eastern European region. Their manipulation of their borders, although sometimes not beneficial for migrants, will undoubtedly affect the outcome of the crisis as a whole in the upcoming years. Croatia’s response to the crisis may be a result of their declining economy and largely homogeneic population. With the third highest unemployment rate in the EU at 17% and a 90% ethnic Croat population, migrants are more inclined to request asylum in other EU nations such as Italy and Germany (Yermi). By …show more content…
The German influence during WWII showed that Croatia was a nation that could function on its own and become economically powerful. During the cold war, leadership from Tito showed that by using strategy, Croatia could function properly on its own, separate from Yugoslavia. In the recent crisis in the Crimea, it was shown that even a few citizens could turn international relationships from flourishing to tentative. The handling of the migrant crisis by Croatia, closing all borders to immigrants, stranding thousands and effectively cutting off the southern route of passage, has shown that they have the ability to influence the tide of migration. Croatia has been influential in the past and present and if recent events can be used to predict the future, Croatia has the potential to be highly influential not only politically, but economically as
During the second World War, Germany began to take over …show more content…
Due to its geographical location, Croatia has become a popular route for Syrian refugees to travel through on their way to Europe. In September of 2015, shortly after Hungary closed their borders, a stream of refugees sought safe passage through Croatia (Ivan Watson). Croatia welcomed them with open borders, but soon after found themselves overwhelmed. Still scarred by civil war, Croatia’s lack of stability and organization led to an irresponsible handling of increased immigration. Their request to the EU for additional police went ignored, leading to groups of up to 8,000 migrants passing through borders at a time during October (Simon Tomlinson). By March 2016 however, Croatia reversed its decision and chose to close off its borders to all refugees, resulting in thousands being stranded. Croatia’s handling of the migrant crisis demonstrates its dominant influence over the Eastern European region. Their manipulation of their borders, although sometimes not beneficial for migrants, will undoubtedly affect the outcome of the crisis as a whole in the upcoming years. Croatia’s response to the crisis may be a result of their declining economy and largely homogeneic population. With the third highest unemployment rate in the EU at 17% and a 90% ethnic Croat population, migrants are more inclined to request asylum in other EU nations such as Italy and Germany (Yermi). By …show more content…
The German influence during WWII showed that Croatia was a nation that could function on its own and become economically powerful. During the cold war, leadership from Tito showed that by using strategy, Croatia could function properly on its own, separate from Yugoslavia. In the recent crisis in the Crimea, it was shown that even a few citizens could turn international relationships from flourishing to tentative. The handling of the migrant crisis by Croatia, closing all borders to immigrants, stranding thousands and effectively cutting off the southern route of passage, has shown that they have the ability to influence the tide of migration. Croatia has been influential in the past and present and if recent events can be used to predict the future, Croatia has the potential to be highly influential not only politically, but economically as