Original scientific paper
Resistance to the French Administration in Dalmatia and Illyrian Provinces following 1806
Ivan Pederin
Abstract
The article explores Austrian sources concerning clashes between Austria and France in Dalmatia and the Illyrian provinces. The sources show that French authorities introduced many modern institutions into the occupied regions but that Austria also initiated a process of modernization. Up to the very end France had military superiority but not in the domain of intelligence. The measures they took were not prudent and were politically mistaken especially when it joined Dalmatia to the Kingdom of Italy and when it afterwards sought to forge a new nation out of parts of Croatian national territory. The French had their supporters but they drew more and more resistance especially owing to the general draft and enormous war taxes. This brought about the resistance of the people especially on the part of farmers. There were frequent armed clashes, robberies and murders which eventually in 1813 led to a general uprising which was supported by Austria in weaponry. Austria, relying on the clergy, knew how to approach the peasantry and it was superior to the French in the field of intelligence. Many competent and sharp-witted politicians were a part of its intelligence network.
Keywords
Hrčak ID:
12134
URI
Publication date:
19.9.2003.
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