Historian: Yugoslav communists shifted tactics, downplayed Nazis after 1941

Historian Josip Mihaljević delved into the complex history of communist ideology and its impact on Croatia and Yugoslavia during a recent broadcast. He began by outlining the foundational ideas of communism, established by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels amid the industrial revolution and mid-19th century upheavals. Mihaljević noted that this era of modernization significantly altered the lives of workers, who were often in precarious positions.

The historian also addressed early negative views attributed to Marx and Engels regarding Croats, clarifying that this stemmed from Croatian political entities' support for the Habsburg monarchy during the 1848 Hungarian Revolution, rather than animosity towards the nation itself. Mihaljević then highlighted the 1917 Russian Revolution as a pivotal moment for communism, leading to the establishment of the Communist Party of Yugoslavia two years later, which included a strong Croatian socialist faction. He asserted that the term "communist Yugoslavia" is the most accurate descriptor for the country in the latter half of the 20th century.

Mihaljević further detailed the Comintern's role as an extension of the Soviet party and state. He noted that communists initially gained significant votes in Yugoslavia, positioning them as a notable political force. The Comintern's stance on dismantling Yugoslavia, dominant until 1935, shifted to advocating for a "People's Front" strategy. The historian also mentioned the involvement of Croatian communists in the Spanish Civil War within international brigades.

Commenting on Josip Broz Tito, Mihaljević described him as a key communist leader whose influence was contingent on Moscow's backing. He suggested Tito remains a controversial figure, having ascended to leadership within the Communist Party of Yugoslavia through means that leveraged the lives and struggles of others. Mihaljević concluded by discussing the communists' role as leaders of the anti-fascist resistance and partisan movement during World War II, noting an initial prevalence of Serbian members that began to shift by mid-1942.