Jonjić: Tuđman revealed that Croatian nationalism and Catholicism are the main enemies of Belgrade
Historian Tomislav Jonjić discusses the historical perspective of Croatian nationalism and its opposition to Belgrade's influence as highlighted by Franjo Tuđman.
In this article, historian and politician Tomislav Jonjić reflects on the historical analyses of Franjo Tuđman's notes regarding Croatian nationalism during World War II. He expresses concern that his exploration of Tuđman's writings is being labeled as an 'enemy' attack against antifašism. Jonjić critiques the present-day discourse that positions anyone questioning the established narratives of history as part of a far-right movement, suggesting instead that his lifelong advocacy for democracy and freedom of speech should not be equated with extremism.
Jonjić elaborates that since 1944/45, the Croatian masses had been compelled to dilute their expression of grievances against political oppression; thus words used to express violence such as 'led away,' 'slaughtered,' or 'killed' have turned into passive constructions. This linguistic evolution reflects a broader societal suppression of direct confrontation with the historical truths regarding Croat suffering and the political turmoil instigated during the war. Jonjić's work aims to uncover these suppressed narratives in hope of fostering an open dialogue about Croatia's past.
By placing the current criticisms in the context of historical development, Jonjić advocates for the acknowledgment of Croatian nationalism as a significant force in the Balkan political landscape, challenging the perception that it solely represents far-right ideology. His series aims to provide a better understanding of how such discourse shapes contemporary political identities in Croatia, emphasizing the need for comprehensive historical interpretations that move beyond binary arguments of good versus evil in post-war narratives.