Italy–Yugoslavia relations

The Kingdoms of Italy and Yugoslavia have had increasingly turbulent relations during the 20th century.

Background

On 26 April 1915 the Kingdom of Italy signed the secret London Pact with members of Triple Entente. According to the pact, Italy was to declare war against the Triple Alliance and, in exchange, was to receive Istria, northern Dalmatia and the protectorate over Albania. The Kingdom of Serbia, which was informed about the agreement, accepted that Italy receive these Austro-Hungarian lands. During March of 1918 Ante Trumbić of the Yugoslav Committee and Italian representative Andrea Torre signed an agreement which clearly stated that the future border between Kingdom of Yugoslavia (Union of Kingdom of Serbia and State of Slovenes, Croats and Serbs) would be decided in democratic way, but after the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire Italy started occupation of territories on the eastern, slavic coast of the Adriatic sea.

Beginning

After failure of border agreement on Paris Peace Conference Kingdom of Italia and Kingdom of Yugoslavia (real name has been Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes) has continued discussion. During 1920 italian government has been under internal pressure to expand her borders because this is only "honest" price for war victims and war debt. Best example of this pressure is publication of false Abraham Lincoln letter to Macedonio Melloni in which he is "saying" that all coast between Venice and Kotor is Italian national territory [Newspaper Popolo d'Italia from 20 April 1920] . In the end with signing of Treaty of Rapallo all border problems has been solved and not even annexation of Free State of Fiume has disturbed relationship.

Albania

Even before becoming Italian Duce Benito Mussolini has clearly stated his thinking about Kingdom of Yugoslavia. It is interesting to notice that he is creating difference between because towards Serbia with which "Italy will always have friendly policy but with Yugoslavia she will have good relationship only if she accept that her destiny is Aegean and not Adriatic Sea" [Lausanna talks between Benito Mussolini and Yugoslav foreign minister Momčilo Ninčić on 20 November 1922 ] . Friendly relationship between two state will end after signing of friendship pact between Kingdom of Italy and Albania on 27 November 1926. With this pact in eyes of king Alexander Italy has entered in Yugoslav zone of influence and because Mussolini has not been interested in Belgrade diplomatic protests Yugoslavia has signed secret military pact with France on 11 November 1927. During this time we are having first contacts between Ante Pavelić which want Italian help in destruction of Yugoslavia and creation of independent Croatia with official representatives of Italy. After proclamation of dictature in Yugoslavia Ante Pavelić will leave "his" country and go in Italian exile (october 1929). On other side Benito Mussolini will give in 1929 to italian parliament member Fulvio Suvich job of contacting and helping Croatian separatists.

This poor relatinship between two kingdoms are best shown in events of 1928 and 1929. First diplomatic problems has been born when Zog I has with Italian help proclaimed himself King of Albanians. Because of fact that majority of population in Yugoslav Kosovo during this period are Albanians in Yugoslavian eyes this proclamation has become invitation for creation of Greater Albania with Italian help. This fears has been confirmed in 1929 when Italy has refused to sign new friendship agreement with Yugoslavia and when in next year she has allowed to Ante Pavelić to live in Italy where he will organize Ustaše moviment.

During this problematic situation Kingdom of Yugoslavia has started in late 1930 secret negotiations with Kingdom of Italy. To put more pressure on Belgrade Mussolini has made few speeches with words "Dalmacia o morte" (Dalmatia or death) [Benito Mussolini Napoli speech of 25. October 1931] but real demand has been that Yugoslavia accept Italian supremacy in Albania. When this offer has been refused in 1932 Yugoslavia has started to look for new allies against this demands. In accordance with this in March 1934 Kingdom of Yugoslavia has signed trade agreement with Hitler Germany.

Last years

Shortly after Yugoslav king Alexander has been killed on 9 October 1934 by hands of VMRO members helped by Ustaše movement Italy has come under criticism for helping and financing Ustaše] . Soon afterward she has send all members of this movement in closed but still training camp where they will be futher receive Italian financial support [Court hearing of Mile Budak] but they will be better controled. Ustaše will never forget not friendly actions taken by Italian "controller" Ercole Conti] .

On France demands Kingdom of Yugoslavia has not started diplomatic actions before League of Nations because of Italian guilt in killing of her king and after coming to power of Milan Stojadinović relationship between two kingdoms has become much better. This has become clear to everybody when on 1 October 1936 it is signed trade agreement between states after which there has been fresh start of new negotiations but officially friendly relationship between Kingdoms of Italy and Yugoslavia will start only on 25 March 1937 after signing of many new agreements. Must important between them will border agreement with which all question has been solved. In accordance with this new relationship Italy has given to Yugoslavia home addresses of 510 members of Ustaše moviment. Friendly relationship between this two regimes will be best seen in January of 1939 during negotiations for annexation of Albania between Milan Stojadinović and Galeazzo Ciano [Galeazzo Ciano, Diary 1937-1943] . After learning that prime minister is in negotiations for annexing part of Albania Yugoslav regent prince Pavle has fired and arrested Milan Stojadinović after which relationship with Italy has become very cold.

During last two years before start of war Kingdom of Italy has ulmost stoped all diplomatic contacts with Kingdom of Yugoslavia and started negotiations with Hitler Germany and Ustaše movement. In 1940 Italy has recalled general Gambara from Spain so that he can take control of forces which will attack Banovina of Croatia (Yugoslav province) [National Archives and Record Administration, Washington - Microfilm publication, Record of Italian Armed Forces] .Start of war has been stoped only because of Italian declaration of war against France on 10 June 1940. During February 1940 Kingdom of Italy has created military plans of attack against Yugoslavia with primary objectiv of taking Šibenik, Split and Kotor so that Adriatic problem can be solved. Only problem with this plan has been wish of Hitler which has wanted to create alliance between two kingdoms against Greece. During negotiations of late 1940 Italy has offered Thessaloniki to Yugoslavia but this offer has been refused. Only when Hitler has offered similar thing in March 1941 it has been accepted and Kingdom of Yugoslavia has become member of Axis powers on 25 March 1941. After Yugoslav Coup d'état of 27 March 1941 Hitler has ordered attack on Yugoslavia and 2 days latter new Kingdom of Yugoslavia prime minister Dušan Simović has asked Italian help in restoring friendly relationship with Germany. During this last diplomatic contacts between two kingdoms Simović has warned Italy that Yugoslavia will overrun Italian Albania if Axis powers declare war [Newspapers Novo vreme of 17 October 1943 and Spremnost of 31 October 1943] . This war which will start on 6 April 1941 it will end with destruction of Yugoslav Kingdom on 17 April 1941.

Notes

ee also

*Kingdom of Italy (1861–1946)
*Kingdom of Yugoslavia
*Ustaše
*Invasion of Yugoslavia