The Ustasa, officially known as the Ustasa - Croatian Revolutionary Movement, was a fascist and ultranationalist organization in Croatia during the 20th century. Here are some key points:
- Foundation: The Ustasa was founded in 1929 by Ante Pavelic and other Croatian nationalists in response to the Kingdom of Yugoslavia's authoritarian rule.
- Ideology: The organization was inspired by Italian fascism and German Nazism, promoting Croatian nationalism, Roman Catholicism, and anti-Serb, anti-Jewish, and anti-Roma sentiments. They aimed to create an ethnically pure Croatian state.
- Activities During the 1930s: Initially, Ustasa operated from abroad, plotting against the Yugoslav government. They were involved in various acts of terrorism, including the assassination of King Alexander I of Yugoslavia in 1934.
- World War II: With the Axis powers' invasion of Yugoslavia in 1941, Ustasa came to power in the newly formed Independent State of Croatia (NDH). They collaborated with Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy, and were responsible for numerous war crimes including the establishment of concentration camps like Jasenovac concentration camp.
- Atrocities: Under Ustasa rule, hundreds of thousands of Serbs, Jews, Romani people, and political dissidents were murdered or sent to concentration camps. The exact number of victims remains a subject of debate, but it's estimated that several hundred thousand people were killed.
- End of Ustasa: With the defeat of the Axis powers in 1945, the Ustasa regime collapsed. Many leaders fled to countries like Argentina, where they were sheltered by Ratlines. The movement was officially disbanded, but some members continued activities in exile.
- Legacy: The legacy of the Ustasa remains controversial in Croatia. While some view their struggle for independence as heroic, others focus on their genocidal policies. The discussion around Ustasa often resurfaces in debates about Croatian identity, memory, and historical revisionism.
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