Poglavnik
Encyclopedia
Poglavnik was the title used by Ante Pavelić
, leader of World War II Croatian fascist movement Ustaše
and of the Independent State of Croatia
between 1941 and 1945.
and the Croatian Encyclopedic Dictionary the word comes from the adjective form "poglavit", which can be loosely translated as "the first and foremost" or "respectable, noble, honorable". The adjective is in turn a compound of the Croatian prefix "po-" and the Proto-Slavic
word stem
"glava" (head).
Because it was used by the fascist regime, the title - which had originally meant "head" or "chief" but was rarely used before the 1930s - is never used today in its original sense as it became synonymous with Ante Pavelić and took on negative connotations after World War II.
Other etymologically closely related words used in modern Croatian
are poglavica (translated as "chief", used to identify tribal leaders) and poglavar (translated as "head of state", used for all monarchs or elected heads of state).
movement in the organization's founding charter in 1929, while he was in exile in Italy. The organization (whose name at the time meant simply "rebels" in Croatian but which also lost its original meaning in modern usage), was organized as a movement which sought to create an independent Croatia
n nation-state by means of armed struggle at the time when Croatia was part of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia
.
Following the 1941 invasion of Yugoslavia
and the establishment of the puppet state called Independent State of Croatia
(commonly referred to by its Croatian-language initialism NDH), the title continued to be used for Pavelić, and its meaning was taken to have evolved into "the supreme leader". The title can therefore be compared to similar titles of ethno-political leadership such as Führer
(which was in the same period used by Adolf Hitler
and which was itself modeled after Benito Mussolini
's title Duce
), and as a result "Poglavnik" is sometimes translated as "Fuhrer" in English-language sources.
However, the role of the title and its function were never officially stipulated in the constitution or in any piece of legislation passed during NDH's existence. From May 1941 to October 1943 NDH was formally a land under the Italian crown and its formal head of state was the Italian Prince Aimone so Ante Pavelić (and by extension the title of "Poglavnik") was de facto
the country's Prime Minister.
Following Italy's exit from WWII in September 1943 Pavelić took on the role equivalent to head of state, while Nikola Mandić
was officially appointed Prime Minister of NDH. Thus, from September 1943 until the state's dissolution on 8 May 1945, the title can be taken to mean Head of State.
Regardless of the official role of the title, Pavelić had unlimited authority to pass decrees and appoint government ministers throughout the existence of NDH. Since the state ceased to exist in 1945 the title was never claimed by any successor in any official or informal capacity. It continued to be used as a nickname for Pavelić during his post-war exile until his death in Madrid in 1959, and has become synonymous with him ever since.
Ante Pavelic
Ante Pavelić was a Croatian fascist leader, revolutionary, and politician. He ruled as Poglavnik or head, of the Independent State of Croatia , a World War II puppet state of Nazi Germany in Axis-occupied Yugoslavia...
, leader of World War II Croatian fascist movement Ustaše
Ustaše
The Ustaša - Croatian Revolutionary Movement was a Croatian fascist anti-Yugoslav separatist movement. The ideology of the movement was a blend of fascism, Nazism, and Croatian nationalism. The Ustaše supported the creation of a Greater Croatia that would span to the River Drina and to the border...
and of the Independent State of Croatia
Independent State of Croatia
The Independent State of Croatia was a World War II puppet state of Nazi Germany, established on a part of Axis-occupied Yugoslavia. The NDH was founded on 10 April 1941, after the invasion of Yugoslavia by the Axis powers. All of Bosnia and Herzegovina was annexed to NDH, together with some parts...
between 1941 and 1945.
Etymology and usage
According to the Dictionary of the Croatian Language compiled by Vladimir AnićVladimir Anic
Vladimir Anić was a Croatian linguist and lexicographer, best known as the author of Rječnik hrvatskoga jezika , the first modern single-volume dictionary of Croatian language....
and the Croatian Encyclopedic Dictionary the word comes from the adjective form "poglavit", which can be loosely translated as "the first and foremost" or "respectable, noble, honorable". The adjective is in turn a compound of the Croatian prefix "po-" and the Proto-Slavic
Proto-Slavic language
Proto-Slavic is the proto-language from which Slavic languages later emerged. It was spoken before the seventh century AD. As with most other proto-languages, no attested writings have been found; the language has been reconstructed by applying the comparative method to all the attested Slavic...
word stem
Word stem
In linguistics, a stem is a part of a word. The term is used with slightly different meanings.In one usage, a stem is a form to which affixes can be attached. Thus, in this usage, the English word friendships contains the stem friend, to which the derivational suffix -ship is attached to form a new...
"glava" (head).
Because it was used by the fascist regime, the title - which had originally meant "head" or "chief" but was rarely used before the 1930s - is never used today in its original sense as it became synonymous with Ante Pavelić and took on negative connotations after World War II.
Other etymologically closely related words used in modern Croatian
Croatian language
Croatian is the collective name for the standard language and dialects spoken by Croats, principally in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Serbian province of Vojvodina and other neighbouring countries...
are poglavica (translated as "chief", used to identify tribal leaders) and poglavar (translated as "head of state", used for all monarchs or elected heads of state).
Political role and context
Ante Pavelić first began using the title of "Poglavnik" when it was proscribed as the official title for the supreme leader of the UstašeUstaše
The Ustaša - Croatian Revolutionary Movement was a Croatian fascist anti-Yugoslav separatist movement. The ideology of the movement was a blend of fascism, Nazism, and Croatian nationalism. The Ustaše supported the creation of a Greater Croatia that would span to the River Drina and to the border...
movement in the organization's founding charter in 1929, while he was in exile in Italy. The organization (whose name at the time meant simply "rebels" in Croatian but which also lost its original meaning in modern usage), was organized as a movement which sought to create an independent Croatia
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
n nation-state by means of armed struggle at the time when Croatia was part of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia
Kingdom of Yugoslavia
The Kingdom of Yugoslavia was a state stretching from the Western Balkans to Central Europe which existed during the often-tumultuous interwar era of 1918–1941...
.
Following the 1941 invasion of Yugoslavia
Invasion of Yugoslavia
The Invasion of Yugoslavia , also known as the April War , was the Axis Powers' attack on the Kingdom of Yugoslavia which began on 6 April 1941 during World War II...
and the establishment of the puppet state called Independent State of Croatia
Independent State of Croatia
The Independent State of Croatia was a World War II puppet state of Nazi Germany, established on a part of Axis-occupied Yugoslavia. The NDH was founded on 10 April 1941, after the invasion of Yugoslavia by the Axis powers. All of Bosnia and Herzegovina was annexed to NDH, together with some parts...
(commonly referred to by its Croatian-language initialism NDH), the title continued to be used for Pavelić, and its meaning was taken to have evolved into "the supreme leader". The title can therefore be compared to similar titles of ethno-political leadership such as Führer
Führer
Führer , alternatively spelled Fuehrer in both English and German when the umlaut is not available, is a German title meaning leader or guide now most associated with Adolf Hitler, who modelled it on Benito Mussolini's title il Duce, as well as with Georg von Schönerer, whose followers also...
(which was in the same period used by Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler was an Austrian-born German politician and the leader of the National Socialist German Workers Party , commonly referred to as the Nazi Party). He was Chancellor of Germany from 1933 to 1945, and head of state from 1934 to 1945...
and which was itself modeled after Benito Mussolini
Benito Mussolini
Benito Amilcare Andrea Mussolini was an Italian politician who led the National Fascist Party and is credited with being one of the key figures in the creation of Fascism....
's title Duce
Duce
Duce is an Italian title, derived from the Latin word dux, and cognate with duke. National Fascist Party leader Benito Mussolini was identified by Fascists as Il Duce of the movement and became a reference to the dictator position of Head of Government and Duce of Fascism of Italy was established...
), and as a result "Poglavnik" is sometimes translated as "Fuhrer" in English-language sources.
However, the role of the title and its function were never officially stipulated in the constitution or in any piece of legislation passed during NDH's existence. From May 1941 to October 1943 NDH was formally a land under the Italian crown and its formal head of state was the Italian Prince Aimone so Ante Pavelić (and by extension the title of "Poglavnik") was de facto
De facto
De facto is a Latin expression that means "concerning fact." In law, it often means "in practice but not necessarily ordained by law" or "in practice or actuality, but not officially established." It is commonly used in contrast to de jure when referring to matters of law, governance, or...
the country's Prime Minister.
Following Italy's exit from WWII in September 1943 Pavelić took on the role equivalent to head of state, while Nikola Mandić
Nikola Mandic
Nikola Mandić , was a Croatian politician.Mandić was born in what was then Ottoman Bosnia and Herzegovina in Travnik in 1869 . Mandić finished gymnasium in Sarajevo. He later doctored in law at Vienna in 1894...
was officially appointed Prime Minister of NDH. Thus, from September 1943 until the state's dissolution on 8 May 1945, the title can be taken to mean Head of State.
Regardless of the official role of the title, Pavelić had unlimited authority to pass decrees and appoint government ministers throughout the existence of NDH. Since the state ceased to exist in 1945 the title was never claimed by any successor in any official or informal capacity. It continued to be used as a nickname for Pavelić during his post-war exile until his death in Madrid in 1959, and has become synonymous with him ever since.