Peoples, Many Problems
understand the problems of the Balkans. It seems as if we were always hearing
about Balkan assassinations, Balkan minorities, Balkan boundary disputes, and
the rivalries of political, religious, and social groups in the Balkans. The whole
peninsula seems to present such a crazy quilt of conflict that many of us may
be inclined to give up in confusion. Yet, it is important that we should understand.
pamphlet simplifies about as far as simplification is possible the complicated
history of the Balkan peoples. It raises most of the basic Balkan questions which
will cry for answers after the war.
study of the pamphlet will reveal that you can use it as source material for several
forum—lectures, panel discussions, or informal discussions, There are so
many peoples, so much history, and so many problems involved that you would d0
well if possible to plan two or three meetings rather than just one. The following
plans are suggested:
meetings. In the first
meeting discuss the geographical and historical backgrounds which are outlined
in Chapters I and II. These chapters make clear why so many different racial stocks,
religious beliefs, language groups, and national rivalries are now to be found
in Balkan nations and how the geographical position of these states has served
to encourage conflict rather than peace between them. Devote the second meeting
to Chapter III, “Other People’s Business.” This chapter tells
the story of the breakup of the Turkish Empire and of the Balkan rivalries between
the great powers of Europe. It describes the two Balkan Wars of this century and
the World War I results in the Balkan Peninsula. For your third meeting use the
material on World War II events (Chapter IV) and discuss the problems raised in
Chapter V, “Looking to the Future.”
meetings. If you use
this plan, you are advised to have one meeting that stresses the Balkan Wars of
1912 and 1913 and the results of World War I as discussed in Chapter III.
In this meeting you would be obliged to omit all but the most cursory mention
of the variety of peoples, religions, languages, and geography to be found in
the peninsula. For the second meeting you would discuss events since 1940 and
the problems of the future (Chapters IV and V).
meeting. Study the
ten questions for discussion given below. Make a selection of those that seem
likely to be most interesting to your group. If there arc other questions that
have occurred to you during your study of the pamphlet, add them to your list.
It is obvious, however, that none of these questions can be discussed intelligently
by persons without knowledge of background facts. Your next step in preparation
then should be to ask three or four members of your group to read this pamphlet
and be ready to give the necessary factual background for specific questions.
The most practical and efficient way to organize a meeting such as this is to
use the panel discussion method. Panel members serve as experts and carry on much
of the discussion, but other persons at the meeting have their chance to ask questions
and express opinions.
are other ways of presenting Balkan problems to your group. You may prefer to
study each country and its problems separately. You may like the idea of two or
three meetings planned according to the one meeting plan suggested above.
Maps. No matter how you organize the subject
matter or whether you use forum, panel, or informal discussion technique, be sure
to use maps and charts. A roughly drawn, large copy of one map in the pamphlet
will enable you to make clear easily and quickly the problems of Balkan geography,
for example. (See page 5.) Wall maps, if available, are ideal of course.
Reading. If possible, make copies of this pamphlet
available for preliminary reading by personnel who will attend your meeting. Place
the copies in library, service club, day room, or other central spot for reading,
and announce publicly when and where they may be found.
techniques. For techniques
of organizing discussion groups and of conducting forums, panel discussions, etc.,
refer to EM 1, G. I. Roundtable: Guide for Discussion Leaders.
Balkan problems be solved by the defeat of the Axis and the elimination of German
armies from the peninsula? Is it likely that wartime events and alignments will
make for more trouble—or less trouble—in the Balkans after the war
are the advantages offered by a confederation of Balkan nations? Do they outweigh
the obstacles enough to make federation a practicable or probable solution?
it possible to draw Balkan boundaries on the basis of self-determination. On linguistic,
on historic, or on strategic lines? If there is no suitable and satisfactory way
to draw boundaries, can their importance be minimized?
can be said for and against the resistance groups and their leaders in the various
Balkan countries? Where do the farmers stand? Would solution of Balkan problems
be helped if the people were better educated?
you think the internal divisions between the rising popular movements and the
old ruling cliques are likely to be healed or liquidated short of revolution?
it reasonable to ask for peace in the Balkans unless there is peace among the
greater nations? Do the strong nationalism of the Balkan peoples and their insistence
on absolute sovereignty for each little nation make for peace or war?
international cooperation any more or less important for solving Balkan problems
than world problems? Should the Balkan countries lower their tariff walls and
encourage freer trade among themselves? Why don’t they?
what extent are Balkan peoples dependent on each other and on larger nations for
economic security? What are Soviet Russia’s interests and policies in the
is the United States concerned in Balkan problems? How does the Atlantic Charter
apply to the Balkans? What chance is there that the Four Freedoms can be realized
in the Balkans?
the Balkan peoples were to be left entirely to themselves to find solutions of
their problems, would they probably reach peaceful solutions or would they probably
fall to fighting? Can they and should they be left entirely to themselves?