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The desire for a unified South Slavic nation emerged long before the official establishment of Yugoslavia in the aftermath of World War I. In the late 1800s, Serbia emerged as the sole independent Slavic state in the region. Inspired by Italy's unification, Serbian leaders envisioned a stronger South Slavic identity that could unite various ethnic groups living under oppressive foreign rule.
At the turn of the century, significant changes in the region were evident. The weakening Ottoman Empire prompted various South Slavic nations living within its borders to collaborate, culminating in the formation of the Balkan League. This alliance sought to expel the Ottomans from their territories, which would later facilitate greater ambitions of unity among the Slavic peoples.