The "Yugoslav era" refers to the period when the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia existed, from 1945 until its dissolution in the early 1990s. This multi-ethnic federation included six republics: Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia. Under the leadership of Josip Broz Tito, Yugoslavia pursued a unique form of socialism that emphasized non-alignment during the Cold War and promoted economic self-management. The era was marked by significant industrial growth and cultural development, but also by rising ethnic tensions. After Tito's death in 1980, political instability increased, leading to conflicts in the 1990s that ultimately resulted in the breakup of Yugoslavia into several independent nations. The legacy of this period continues to influence the region's politics and society today.