Narodna Odbrana ( Serbian Cyrillic : Народна одбрана , literally, "The People's Defence" or "National Defence") was a Serbian nationalist organization established on October 8, 1908 as a reaction to the Austro-Hungarian annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina . At the time, it was concerned with the protection of ethnic Serbs in Austria-Hungary . To achieve their goals, the Narodna Odbrana spread propaganda and organized paramilitary forces.
5-662: Among the notable founders and members of the organization were Jovan Dučić and Branislav Nušić . At the beginning of the 20th century, the Nationalist Serbs throughout the Balkans sought unification under a single state. In addition to the Kingdom of Serbia and the Principality of Montenegro , two states with predominantly ethnic Serb populations that didn't yet share a common border, many more Serbs lived within
10-712: The Report of the International Commission to Inquire into the Causes and Conduct of the Balkan Wars , members of the Narodna Odbrana have committed serious war crimes against the civilian population. In Skopje there was a central committee of "National Defense". A population of Skopje called their headquarters "Black House", after the " Black Hand ", secret organization that stood behind them. In
15-496: The borders of neighbouring Austria-Hungary (specifically Bosnia-Herzegovina condominium , Croatia-Slavonia , and southern part of Hungary ) as well as Ottoman Empire ( Bosnia Vilayet , Kosovo Vilayet , Sanjak of Novi Pazar , and to a lesser extent in parts of Monastir Vilayet and Salonica Vilayet ). With the Austria-Hungarian 1908 annexation of Bosnia (where there was a heavy concentration of Serbs) as well as
20-472: The resulting Annexation Crisis , the Serbs expressed a need for cultural and territorial protection, which gave rise to the Narodna Odbrana. A 1911 pamphlet named Narodna Odbrana Izdanje Stredisnog Odbora Narodne Odbrane (Народна одбрана издање стредисног одбора народне одбране) focused on six main points: The pamphlet makes it clear that hatred of Austria-Hungary was not the aim of the group, but instead, it
25-497: Was a natural consequence of the desire for independence and unity within a single nation. The Central Committee of the Narodna Odbrana was located at Belgrade . Immediately after annexation of Vardar Macedonia to the Kingdom of Serbia , the Macedonians were faced with the policy of forced serbianisation . The population of Macedonia was forced to declare as Serbs . Those who refused were beaten and tortured. According to
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