Muslim Autonomist Movement in Bosnia and Herzegovina during World War II and Its Role in the Plans of the Nazi Germany

Abstract

In the following article the author provides a comprehensive overview of the Muslim Autonomist Movement in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), which took place in different historical periods. The first attempt at achieving autonomy took place in the 19th century in the time of the Ottoman Empire, the second in the time of the Austro-Hungarian occupation of BiH, the third in the period of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croat and Slovenes/Kingdom of Yugoslavia, while the fourth attempt occurred in the time of World War II. In all these periods the autonomist movement represented the opposition to the ruling structures. During the time of World War II, the autonomist movement wanted to adapt to the new situation under the German occupation. Its adherents saw power and order in Germany, which would ensure the regulation of the situation in BiH. Basically this movement was not pro-Nazi; its intentions were to protect the Muslims from the Chetnik and Ustashe violence.