Review article
https://doi.org/10.17234/RadoviZHP.56.5
Ante Starčević and his Political Positions at the Sessions of the Croatian Sabor in 1861 and 1865-1867 (Summary)
Agneza Szabo
Abstract
The question of Croatia’s status within the Habsburg Monarchy after 1848 became one of the most pressing political issues during the 1860s. After foreign policy failures and military defeats (Sadowa 1866), the Habsburg Monarchy faced an inevitable political reorganization that led to the adoption of the Austro-Hungarian settlement (Ausgleich), which also made the Croatian-Hungarian settlement (Nagodba) inevitable. This paper presents and summarizes the important views of the then parliamentary representative Ante Starčević. It deals with some of his most famous political speeches given in to the audience of the Croatian Sabor in 1861 as well as 1865 – 1867. Apart from the fact that in these speeches he publicly exposed the unfair policies of the Court of Vienna, i.e. the kings of the House of Habsburg towards Croatia from 1527 onwards, especially Francis Joseph I, in a very harsh manner, Starčević sought in them the territorial integrity of the Croatian lands, referring to the country’s internal political and any other independence. In his parliamentary speeches, Starčević appeared as a clear opponent of centuries-old Austrian policy towards Croatia. That is why, after the stormy events of 1848/49, due to the behaviour of Austria and especially the king, he resolutely removed any possibility of a settlement with the Crown. Neither Starčević nor the Sabor, which represented the same views in addresses (official letters) to the king – albeit using a different methodology – succeeded in their demands. The settlement of 1868 still preserved the essential elements of statehood and internal sovereignty, which Starčević constantly reminded of, persistently defending them in his own style, which stemmed from his resentment, political powerlessness, but also from his belief that the Croatian people had the right to freedom and sovereignty.
Keywords
Ban’s conference, Croatian Sabor, Ban, Political parties, People’s right, Address, Speeches, Dualism
Hrčak ID:
330241
URI
Publication date:
22.12.2024.
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