THE TRAGEDY OF PETAR ZRINSKI AND FRANJO KRSTO FRANKOPAN IN THE LIGHT OF POLITICS HABSBURG COURT AGAINST CROATIA

Abstract

The article deals with the circumstances which brought about the conspiracy of Petar Zrinski and Franjo Krsto Frankopan. The Turkish agression towards the west was much weaker in 17lh century, while Austria paid much attention to the problems of Western Europe. Thus, the role of Croatia was to defend the border-line area, which was continually attacked and plundered. Even when Croatian nobles were successful, Austria did not want to make a counter-attack. The discontent of Croatian and Hungarian nobles was, on account of that, very great. However, when the first secret plans for the revolt against such Austrian politics were made, the brother of Petar Zrinski, Nikola Zrinski, who was the only one with the authority and ability to lead a successful action, was, allegedly, killed accidentally. The conspiracy continued, but with such a number of political and diplomatic mistakes that it ended tragically. Petar Zrinski and Krsto Frankopan were sentenced to death and executed on 30th April 1671.