Violence against the Antiwar Demonstrations of 1965-1968 in Yugoslavia: Political Balancing between East and West

Abstract

In the 1960s, Yugoslavia faced street violence and riots during demonstrations against the Vietnam War. These protests can be understood only in the context of Yugoslav foreign policy, as they represented political balancing between East and West. The state sponsored and organized demonstrations against the war in Vietnam, events at which strong anti-American sentiments were expressed, while on the other hand the state used violence to stop such demonstrations in order to maintain its good relations with the United States. Displaying sympathy with the Vietnamese people while playing the role of America's communist ally was part of Yugoslavia's political double game, which the country had played since its break with the Soviet Union in 1948.