Suchergebnisse

Upon researching archival sources dating from the periods of Austro-Hungarian, Italian and Croatian rule, the author attempts to examine the condition of health and hygene in Istria between 1900-1950. He believes that these conditions were crucial in shaping urban and rural mentalities during a period which witnessed rapid industralization and urbanization. This study shows the difficult and constant struggle of a small number of enthusiasts, often outside of official institutions. It was a struggle against backwardness, prejudice and death. It is a tale of poverty, hunger, sickness and death, but it also speaks of the indestructability of the spirit in this region. The study will shed light on and important part of the social history of urban and rural Istria. (SOI : CSP: S. 545)

The author shows the numerical and territorial distribution of the Serb population in Croatia during the 19th century and the structure of their vocations and occupations. Throughout 19th century, the participation of the Orthodox in the Croatian population demonstrated a decline. While in 1840 they represented 31,41% of the population, in 1900 that participation was only 25,52%. The Serbs were mixed with other nationals even in places where they were majority. Only in few districts, their participation in general population exceeded 80%. The majority of Serb population is made of agrarian inhabitants. However, although their participation in cities was not great, their economic strength and political positions were responsible for their relatively great influence. (SOI : CSP: S. 152)

The author analyzes the problems of the relationship between the peasants and the state authority in Croatia concerning the restrictive policy of compulsory selling of agricultural produce. In the first postwar years the compulsory selling was intended to provide food for the population in passive regions. Later, that was a way to provide raw materials for industry and supplies for the cities. The so-called class policy towards the country was systematically built in the policy of compulsory selling, which was one of the main causes of the peasants' unrests in 1949. Different forms of resistance to that policy had reflected the accumulated social and political discontent which resulted in demonstrations, destruction of individual property, setting fire to the state property, and physical and armed attacks onto representatives of the authorities. (SOI : CSP: S. 232)

In this study the author looks at the life of Istria's small Jewish community during the first half of the twentieth century. He sheds light on the process of socialization and acculturation that took place in urban environments during the period of industrialization. He examines the complex relations between the Jewish and Christian communities. He studies the role played by the Jewish community in the socioeconomic and cultural life of Istria. In particular, he examines the issue of Jewish self-identity before and during the period of fascist rule. He especially studies the effects of racial laws. He also writes about the differences between Italian fascist and nazi anti-semitic policies, especially apparent after the capitulation of Italy, when German forces undertook a policy of extermination of Jewish communities on the Italian territories they occupied. Parallel to this, the author tries t show the conditions in which Jews lived at that time, when they were reduced to the status of non-citizens. (SOI : CSP: S. 95)

Up to the Second World War, most women worked at low paying, low skill agricultural and industrial jobs. But women could also be found working in higher qualified professions, especially those that were traditionally allotted to them in society, such as those in the fields of education, social welfare, nursing, and the creative arts. Organizations concerned with women's emancipation reflected the different socio-economic and educational level of working women. Such organizations as the professional union of healthcare workers, for example, declared themselves to be apolitical but they became increasingly involved in union activities and politics in the period before the Second World War. On the other hand, other working women's organizations kept their demands strictly limited to economic or narrowly professional matters. According to the historiography, rural women who were poorer and less educated were subject to proletarianization in urban areas, at the same time, however, they had opportunities to participate in relatively creative activities. These activities went beyond the framework of their everyday domestic lives. For example, they worked at cottage industries and could sell these products at the market place, which supplemented domestic income. (SOI : CSP: S. 503)

As regards the concern for and protection of artifacts of Croatian culture, the Society occupies an unparalleled place in Croatian history. Innumerable times it has supported, when it has been allowed the means, the restoring, building and archeological research of important Croatian cultural objects. The largest project undertaken by the BHZ, besides the restoration of Ozalj, was the building of the St. Cyril and Methodius Basilica in Duvno (today's Tomislavgrad), as a monument to the celebration of the millenary of the Croatian kingdom. Its construction, in 1925, made a large impression on Croatians both at home and abroad. (SOI : CSP: S. 40) + The BHZ ("Braca Hrvatskog Zmaja": "Brethrenhood of the Croatian Dragon") Society appeared on the Croatian cultural scene at the beginning of the twentieth century. Its objective was to protect monuments dedicated to important Croatian cultural figures and historical events, as well as to protect and restore artifacts of Croatian culture. But above all else, its main activity was the erection of monuments and memorial plaques. Even today, more than two hundred of these exist throughout Croatia, Bosnia-Hercegovina, and Austria. In Zagreb, the society founded the City Library in 1907 and the City museum in 1909. It also began a Popular University, founded the institute for conservation, the ethnographic museum, and supported the creation of a number of popular libraries in many Croatian cities. In particular, the Society supported and protected the monuments dedicated to the Zrinskis and Frankopans, old Croatian noble families who played a very important role in the political and cultural life of Croatia. In 1928, the Society was given the city of Ozalj to administer, where it then created the Zrinski-Frankopan museum. During the period of the Independent State of Croatia (1941-1945), the Society was transformed into the Knightly Order of the Croatian Dragon. In 1946, after the communists came to power, the Society was disbanded. When democracy was established in 1990, the Society was reconstituted