Ethnic and Religious Conflicts

Many recent wars and conflicts have arisen over ethnic or religious differences. In Sri Lanka,

Sinhalese Buddhists make up the majority and they have kept the Hindu Tamils from power,

leading to civil war. A 2002 agreement to negotiate a separate regional government for the

Tamils brought about a ceasefire. In Northern Ireland, Protestants and Catholics have fought

over civil rights and the issue of unification with Ireland. In Canada, a peaceful solution was found

to end the struggles of those in the French province of Quebec who wanted to maintain their

language and culture.

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Regional ConflictsSection 1: Conflicts Divide Nations

Witness History Audio: A Young Girl in Wartime

War Ravages Chechnya

Muslim Chechen nationalists have tried to free their homeland from Russia. Some Chechens

have used terrorism to achieve this goal.

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Regional ConflictsSection 1: Conflicts Divide Nations

Note Taking Transparency 185

Yugoslavia Breaks Apart

Although most Yugoslavians spoke the same language, they had different religions. Each of

the six republics had a dominant ethnic group. As the various republics broke away from

Yugoslavia, fighting broke out in Croatia, Bosnia, and Serbia. Serbs in Bosnia and Serbia

conducted campaigns of ethnic cleansing. NATO was finally able to restore peace.

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Regional ConflictsSection 1: Conflicts Divide Nations

Color Transparency 194: Conflict in Yugoslavia

Geography Interactive: Former Yugoslavia in 2005

QuickTake Section Quiz

Progress Monitoring Transparency

Regional Conflicts: Section 1Note Taking Transparency 185

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Regional Conflicts: Section 1Color Transparency 194: Conflict in Yugoslavia

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Regional Conflicts: Section 1Progress Monitoring Transparency (1 of 2)

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Regional Conflicts: Section 1Progress Monitoring Transparency (2 of 2)

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