Rakovica Revolt
Encyclopedia
The Rakovica Revolt was a revolt against Austria-Hungary
aiming to establish an independent Croatian state. The revolt was named after Rakovica
, where it initially took place in October 1871. The revolt ended in defeat for Croatian rebels.
had planned to launch a rebellion years earlier against what was then the Austrian Empire
since 1859. However, he failed to secure allies in either Italy
or Hungary
to participate in the cause.
Kvaternik planned a revolt without notifying nobody from Party of Rights, including its leader Ante Starčević
. Kvaternik's idea was creation of an independent Croatian state, union of Croatian Military Frontier with provincial Croatia and their secede from Austria-Hungary
. Kvaternik planned a revolt months before, since he already made a seal of new Croatian state. Population of Croatian Military Frontier, after the Croatian-Hungarian Agreement, did not want any unification with Kingdom of Croatia
, since Croatia was under Hungarian oppression, while Frontiers had sympathies for ruling dynasty, respectively Austria. This made conditions for revolt much harder than Kvaternik expected.
Another bad condition for the revolution was its place. It was village Rakovica
and area of Kordun
where mostly Orthodox population lived, respectively Vlachs
and Serbs of Croatia
. However, a large number of Orthodox population supported Kvaternik.
on 7 October 1871 and on the same day Kvaternik declared new Croatian government and revolters declared him President of the Provisional People's Government.
Tomorrow, on 8 October, Kvaternik, along with his right hand, Vjekoslav Bach, a lawyer, started the revolt and head to Rakovica, where it was supposed to be the seat of the new government. Soon he got supporters from villages Rakovica, Broćanac, Brezovac, Mašvina, Plavča Draga and Gornja Močila
. Kvaternik also made a declaration were he represented equality before the law, municipal self-governing, the abolition of military administration in the Croatian Military Frontier and introduction of free counties. Ante Rakijaš, one of Kvaternik's commanders, was sent with 300 rebells to liberate Drežnica, but he failed and returned to Rakovica.
On 9 October, Kvaternik led the attack on Plaški
. This is when Austro-Hungarian Army
reacted and sent Ogulin Regiment to deal with rebells. On the very alert that Ogulin Regiment is arriving, majority of 1700 Kvaternik's rebells escaped. On 10 October Kvaternik's rebellion was crushed, and he was executed on 11 October along with Bach, Rakijaš and one of brothers Čuić; other brother got away in Serbia.
On 14 October, Lazo Čuić, Filip Milanović, Petar Došen, Miladin Šaša were sentenced to death; Mladin Šaša's conviction was changed to 18 years in dungeon.
During the night of 12/13 October all citizens with last name Starčević were arrested. Among others arrested was Petar Vrdoljak who was sentenced to 12 years in dungeon, Rudolf Fabijani who was released, Franjo Turkalj and Milovan Miljković who were sentenced to 14 years in dungeon, Maksim Ćurić who was sentenced on 8 years of dungeon, Lazo Šaša who was sentenced on 4 years in dungeon, Mihael Bosnić, Petar Vojnović, Mihajlo Majnolović and Stjepan Đaković who were released.
On 16 October, Franjo Rački
informed Josip Juraj Strossmayer
about one of Kvaternik's plans if revolt was successful. In letters found with corpses of Kvaternik and Bach, it was stated that they would eliminate Ivan Mažuranić
(who led friendly policy with Austria at the time), Matija Mrazović, Franjo Rački
, Đuro Crnadak and Nikola Krešić.
Also, before the rebellion started, Austria-Hungary was governed by government of Karl Sigmund von Hohenwart. His government had in plan to federalize
Austria-Hungary on three parts - Austrian, Hungarian and Croatian respectively South Slavic part. Hungarian rulling elite was against such measures, namely Hungarian Prime Minister Gyula Andrássy
who advocated Croatian subordination to Hungary. Andrássy represented Croats as opponents of the Franz Joseph's
regime so he used Kvaternik's rebellion as an example, since Kvaternik had in mind to declare Croatia independent from Austrian rule. This led to fall of Hohenwart's government and abandonment of federalism.
. A restored statue was again plundered, this time by Serbs during Croatia's Homeland War. Once again, it was restored.
Austria-Hungary
Austria-Hungary , more formally known as the Kingdoms and Lands Represented in the Imperial Council and the Lands of the Holy Hungarian Crown of Saint Stephen, was a constitutional monarchic union between the crowns of the Austrian Empire and the Kingdom of Hungary in...
aiming to establish an independent Croatian state. The revolt was named after Rakovica
Rakovica, Croatia
Rakovica is a village in south-central Croatia, in the region of Kordun south of Karlovac and Slunj, and north of the Plitvice Lakes. The total municipality population is 2,623 , while the village itself has 356 residents. According to that census, 91% are Croats and 3,58% are Serbs. Due to...
, where it initially took place in October 1871. The revolt ended in defeat for Croatian rebels.
Preparations
Eugen KvaternikEugen Kvaternik
Eugen Kvaternik was a Croatian politician and revolutionary. Kvaternik and Ante Starčević formed the original Croatian Party of Rights together....
had planned to launch a rebellion years earlier against what was then the Austrian Empire
Austrian Empire
The Austrian Empire was a modern era successor empire, which was centered on what is today's Austria and which officially lasted from 1804 to 1867. It was followed by the Empire of Austria-Hungary, whose proclamation was a diplomatic move that elevated Hungary's status within the Austrian Empire...
since 1859. However, he failed to secure allies in either Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
or Hungary
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
to participate in the cause.
Kvaternik planned a revolt without notifying nobody from Party of Rights, including its leader Ante Starčević
Ante Starcevic
Ante Starčević , was a Croatian politician and writer whose activities and works laid the foundations for the modern Croatian state.His works are base for Croatian nationalism, he is often referred to as Father of the Fatherland by Croats.-Life:...
. Kvaternik's idea was creation of an independent Croatian state, union of Croatian Military Frontier with provincial Croatia and their secede from Austria-Hungary
Austria-Hungary
Austria-Hungary , more formally known as the Kingdoms and Lands Represented in the Imperial Council and the Lands of the Holy Hungarian Crown of Saint Stephen, was a constitutional monarchic union between the crowns of the Austrian Empire and the Kingdom of Hungary in...
. Kvaternik planned a revolt months before, since he already made a seal of new Croatian state. Population of Croatian Military Frontier, after the Croatian-Hungarian Agreement, did not want any unification with Kingdom of Croatia
Kingdom of Croatia (Habsburg)
The Kingdom of Croatia was an administrative division that existed between 1527 and 1868 within the Habsburg Monarchy . The Kingdom was a part of the Lands of the Crown of St. Stephen, but was subject to direct Imperial Austrian rule for significant periods of time, including its final years...
, since Croatia was under Hungarian oppression, while Frontiers had sympathies for ruling dynasty, respectively Austria. This made conditions for revolt much harder than Kvaternik expected.
Another bad condition for the revolution was its place. It was village Rakovica
Rakovica, Croatia
Rakovica is a village in south-central Croatia, in the region of Kordun south of Karlovac and Slunj, and north of the Plitvice Lakes. The total municipality population is 2,623 , while the village itself has 356 residents. According to that census, 91% are Croats and 3,58% are Serbs. Due to...
and area of Kordun
Kordun
The Kordun region is a part of central Croatia from the bottom of the Petrova Gora mountain range, which extends along the rivers Korana and Slunjčica, and forms part of the border region to Bosnia and Herzegovina. The southern border of Kordun touches the Lika region...
where mostly Orthodox population lived, respectively Vlachs
Vlachs
Vlach is a blanket term covering several modern Latin peoples descending from the Latinised population in Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe. English variations on the name include: Walla, Wlachs, Wallachs, Vlahs, Olahs or Ulahs...
and Serbs of Croatia
Serbs of Croatia
Višeslav of Serbia, a contemporary of Charlemagne , ruled the Županias of Neretva, Tara, Piva, Lim, his ancestral lands. According to the Royal Frankish Annals , Duke of Pannonia Ljudevit Posavski fled, during the Frankish invasion, from his seat in Sisak to the Serbs in western Bosnia, who...
. However, a large number of Orthodox population supported Kvaternik.
Conflict
Kvaternik gathered rebells in village BroćanacBroćanac
Broćanac is a village in Croatia. It is connected by the D1 highway....
on 7 October 1871 and on the same day Kvaternik declared new Croatian government and revolters declared him President of the Provisional People's Government.
Tomorrow, on 8 October, Kvaternik, along with his right hand, Vjekoslav Bach, a lawyer, started the revolt and head to Rakovica, where it was supposed to be the seat of the new government. Soon he got supporters from villages Rakovica, Broćanac, Brezovac, Mašvina, Plavča Draga and Gornja Močila
Gornja Močila
Gornja Močila is a village in the municipality of Bosanski Brod, Bosnia and Herzegovina....
. Kvaternik also made a declaration were he represented equality before the law, municipal self-governing, the abolition of military administration in the Croatian Military Frontier and introduction of free counties. Ante Rakijaš, one of Kvaternik's commanders, was sent with 300 rebells to liberate Drežnica, but he failed and returned to Rakovica.
On 9 October, Kvaternik led the attack on Plaški
Plaški
Plaški is a village and a municipality in Karlovac County, Croatia. It is part of Lika.- Geography :Plaški is situated in the lower part of the Ogulin-Plaški valley. Together with Gorski kotar and Lika, the Ogulin-Plaški valley forms Mountainous Croatia...
. This is when Austro-Hungarian Army
Austro-Hungarian Army
The Austro-Hungarian Army was the ground force of the Austro-Hungarian Dual Monarchy from 1867 to 1918. It was composed of three parts: the joint army , the Austrian Landwehr , and the Hungarian Honvédség .In the wake of fighting between the...
reacted and sent Ogulin Regiment to deal with rebells. On the very alert that Ogulin Regiment is arriving, majority of 1700 Kvaternik's rebells escaped. On 10 October Kvaternik's rebellion was crushed, and he was executed on 11 October along with Bach, Rakijaš and one of brothers Čuić; other brother got away in Serbia.
Aftermath
The revolt ultimately failed. Immediately after rebellion was crushed, on 10 October, Austrian govrenment started the arrests. On 11 November court sentenced seven participants to hanging, Petar Ugarković, Petar Čuić, Marko Milošević, Janko Čuić, Ilija Šaša, Jozo Stregar and Petar Tepavac. Since ther were no executioners at the time, convicts were shot in the same day.On 14 October, Lazo Čuić, Filip Milanović, Petar Došen, Miladin Šaša were sentenced to death; Mladin Šaša's conviction was changed to 18 years in dungeon.
During the night of 12/13 October all citizens with last name Starčević were arrested. Among others arrested was Petar Vrdoljak who was sentenced to 12 years in dungeon, Rudolf Fabijani who was released, Franjo Turkalj and Milovan Miljković who were sentenced to 14 years in dungeon, Maksim Ćurić who was sentenced on 8 years of dungeon, Lazo Šaša who was sentenced on 4 years in dungeon, Mihael Bosnić, Petar Vojnović, Mihajlo Majnolović and Stjepan Đaković who were released.
On 16 October, Franjo Rački
Franjo Racki
Franjo Rački was a Croatian historian, politician and writer. He compiled important collections of old Croatian diplomatic and historical documents, wrote some pioneering historical works, and was a key founder of the Yugoslavian Academy of Sciences and Arts.-Historian:Rački was born in Fužine,...
informed Josip Juraj Strossmayer
Josip Juraj Strossmayer
Josip Juraj Strossmayer was a Croatian politician, Roman Catholic bishop and benefactor.-Early life and rise as a cleric:...
about one of Kvaternik's plans if revolt was successful. In letters found with corpses of Kvaternik and Bach, it was stated that they would eliminate Ivan Mažuranić
Ivan Mažuranic
Ivan Mažuranić was a Croatian poet, linguist and politician—probably the most important figure in Croatia's cultural life in the mid-19th century...
(who led friendly policy with Austria at the time), Matija Mrazović, Franjo Rački
Franjo Racki
Franjo Rački was a Croatian historian, politician and writer. He compiled important collections of old Croatian diplomatic and historical documents, wrote some pioneering historical works, and was a key founder of the Yugoslavian Academy of Sciences and Arts.-Historian:Rački was born in Fužine,...
, Đuro Crnadak and Nikola Krešić.
Also, before the rebellion started, Austria-Hungary was governed by government of Karl Sigmund von Hohenwart. His government had in plan to federalize
Federalism
Federalism is a political concept in which a group of members are bound together by covenant with a governing representative head. The term "federalism" is also used to describe a system of the government in which sovereignty is constitutionally divided between a central governing authority and...
Austria-Hungary on three parts - Austrian, Hungarian and Croatian respectively South Slavic part. Hungarian rulling elite was against such measures, namely Hungarian Prime Minister Gyula Andrássy
Gyula Andrássy
Gyula Count Andrássy de Csíkszentkirály et Krasznahorka was a Hungarian statesman, who served as Prime Minister of Hungary and subsequently as Foreign Minister of Austria-Hungary...
who advocated Croatian subordination to Hungary. Andrássy represented Croats as opponents of the Franz Joseph's
Franz Joseph I of Austria
Franz Joseph I or Francis Joseph I was Emperor of Austria, King of Bohemia, King of Croatia, Apostolic King of Hungary, King of Galicia and Lodomeria and Grand Duke of Cracow from 1848 until his death in 1916.In the December of 1848, Emperor Ferdinand I of Austria abdicated the throne as part of...
regime so he used Kvaternik's rebellion as an example, since Kvaternik had in mind to declare Croatia independent from Austrian rule. This led to fall of Hohenwart's government and abandonment of federalism.
Monument
A statue of Kvaternik in Rakovica was unveiled in 1933, only to be destroyed during the Second World WarWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. A restored statue was again plundered, this time by Serbs during Croatia's Homeland War. Once again, it was restored.
Literature
- Horvat, Josip. "Graditelj Mažuranić [Builder Mažuranić]". In Židovec, Zdravko (in Croatian). Politička povijest Hrvatske [Political History of Croatia]. 1. Zagreb: ITRO Augustin Cesarec. ISBN 86-393-0151-4.