Final answer:
In the first half of the 19th century, both Croatia and Serbia were part of the Austrian Empire. Serbia fought for independence from the Ottoman Empire and had ambitions to unite the Balkans. Croatia also had aspirations for self-governance.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the first half of the 19th century, Croatia and Serbia were both part of the Austrian Empire. Serbia fought for its independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1878 and sought to unite the Balkans into a Serbian-dominated country. However, Austria stood in the way of Serbian ambition as it controlled neighboring Bosnia, where many Serbs lived. Croatia was also part of the Austrian Empire and had its own aspirations for independence and self-governance.
1