1918–1920 unrest in Split facts for kids
Between 1918 and 1920, the city of Split saw a series of violent clashes. These fights were mainly between Croats and Italians. The biggest and most serious event happened on July 11, 1920. During this clash, three people died: Captain Tommaso Gulli from the Italian warship Puglia, a Croat civilian named Matej Miš, and an Italian sailor named Aldo Rossi. These events also led to the destruction of the Hotel Balkan in Trieste by a group called the Italian Fascists.
Contents
What Happened in Split?
After World War I ended in 1918, there was a lot of tension in the city of Split. This city is located on the Adriatic Sea coast. Both Italians and Croats felt that Split should belong to their country. This disagreement led to many arguments and fights in the streets.
The Main Event: July 11, 1920
The most serious clash happened on July 11, 1920. On this day, Captain Tommaso Gulli of the Italian warship Puglia was killed. A Croat civilian, Matej Miš, and an Italian sailor, Aldo Rossi, also died. This event made the tensions even worse.
What Happened Next?
News of the deaths in Split quickly reached other cities. In Trieste, a city with many Italians, a group called the Italian Fascists reacted strongly. They attacked and destroyed the Hotel Balkan. This hotel was a meeting place for Slavic people in Trieste. This act showed how deep the anger and disagreements were between the different groups at that time.
Why Did This Happen?
The fights in Split were part of a bigger problem called the "Adriatic question." After World War I, the countries that won the war had to decide who would control certain areas. Italy wanted to control parts of the eastern Adriatic coast, including Dalmatia, where Split is located. However, many Croats lived in these areas, and they wanted to be part of the new country of Yugoslavia. This disagreement over land and who should govern it caused a lot of conflict and violence.
Related pages
- Italian irredentism in Dalmatia
- Italian irredentism in Istria
- Dalmatian Italians
- Italian cultural and historic presence in Dalmatia
See also
In Spanish: Incidentes de Split para niños
