Original scientific paper
Two visions of Rights: Archbishop Josip Stadler and Josip Frank
Stjepan Matković
; Croatian Institute of History, Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
The author describes the multi-layered relationship between Josip Frank, the
leader of the Party of Rights, which was politically active in the Kingdom of CroatiaSlavonia, and the Archbishop of Vrhbosna, Josip Stadler. This relationship was marked
by contradictions and different phases. At the beginning of the 20th century, Frank, as
the leader of the Party of Rights, was critical of Stadler’s political activity in Bosnia and
Herzegovina. Initially, the reason for this view stemmed from Frank’s reliance on the
tradition of Starčević’s ideology and certain liberal positions. A second reason lay in
Frank’s understanding of rights, which he adjusted to meet the requirements of modern
movements in society while he continued to advocate a policy based on the principles of
Croatian state rights duly adjusted to accommodate the impact of social modernization.
An important element of Frank’s rejection of the actions of the Archbishop of Vrhbosna
may be found in his complex attitude towards Muslims from Bosnia and Herzegovina,
whom he saw as a key ally in spreading the rights movement in the region. Frank publicly
expressed a philo-Muslim position and condemned Stadler’s alleged proselytizing activities. The turning point in relations between Frank and Stadler came after the launch of
the New Deal policy; greater cooperation began in the context of the Austro-Hungarian
implementation of the annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Croatian proponents
of the New Deal and the proponents of the Croatian-Serbian coalition argued that Bosnia
and Herzegovina should be consigned to the Serbian political sphere of action. In this
way, there was a division within the political representatives of Bosnian Croats: one
part accepted the concept of the New Deal, while the other, including Stadler, rejected
such a course and adhered to the principles of Croatian state rights in political life.
However, the circle around the heir to the throne, Franz Ferdinand, who supported the
“trialist” reform of Austro-Hungary, was gaining in importance. In these circumstances,
a stronger connection between Frank and Stadler came to the fore. After the annexation
and the introduction of a new constitutional situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, it was
important for Frank to gain a reliable ally, and Stadler also sought support “across the
Sava” because without such a connection it was not possible to think about implementing
the political goals: acceptance of the rights program from 1894, according to which the
Croatian question would be resolved within the framework of the Habsburg Monarchy.
In this way, a strong alliance was established, which lasted until the death of Josip Frank
(1911), and continued through the cooperation of his successors with the Archbishop of
Vrhbosna.
Keywords
Archbishop Josip Stadler; Josip Frank; Party of Right; Modern Rightism; Habsburg Monarchy
Hrčak ID:
259920
URI
Publication date:
1.7.2020.
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