On March 1, 1991, the uprising of the Serbian population in Croatia began, signifying the onset of the Homeland War. This event was characterized by the attack on the police station in Pakrac, which was a pivotal moment in the conflict. The demographics of the Pakrac municipality were complex, with a significant Serbian population of 46%, which heightened ethnic tensions in the area. The geopolitical context played a crucial role in the escalation of violence that ensued.

The composition of the population in Pakrac at the time revealed a diverse ethnic mix, which included a substantial number of Croats and a variety of other ethnic groups. This diversity, combined with the localized geographical position, turned the region into one of the bloodiest battlefields of the Homeland War, as evidenced by the destruction rates. With 76% of residential buildings destroyed, Pakrac was among the most devastated areas during the conflict, alongside cities like Vukovar and Hrvatska Kostajnica.

Furthermore, the political landscape prior to the war saw the first multiparty elections in Croatia in 1990, with the Croatian Democratic Union winning under the leadership of Dr. Franjo Tuđman. The election results paved the way for increasing nationalism, which contributed to the conflict that would ravage the region in the following years. The combination of ethnic composition, political shifts, and historical grievances set the stage for a prolonged and violent conflict in the area, fundamentally reshaping the social and political fabric of Croatia.