Abstract This article discusses the rise of new tones in Baltic and Slavic languages. It draws attention to the underlying mechanisms in the rise of these new tones and adduces typological parallels for some of the sound changes involved. It is argued that two processes played a crucial role in tonogenesis in Baltic and Slavic: stress retraction and reanalysis of an earlier phonation contrast as a tonal contrast. Tone renewal as a result of stress retractions in a number of South Slavic dialects is argued to have resulted from language contact.