THE CONSPIRACY OF ZRINSKI AND FRANKOPAN - ITS CAUSES, PROGRESS AND CONSEOUENCES

During the 1400-years long history of the Croatian people two great families - the Zrinskis and Frankopans - became the most famous ones. The title 'ban' was frequently held by the members of both these families, and they became the most powerful families in ali Croatia. The Habsburgs, who were elected as Croatian kings by both families to help them fight the Turks, did not care much about the Croatian problems. In the middle of 17th century the Zrinskis began to organize the revolt against Austrian rule. After Nikola Zrinski, a very wise and capable person, was tragically killed (possibly by the Court), his brother Petar Zrinski, a very brave soldier but a poor politician, headed the conspirancy. He was supported by Frano Krsto Frankopan, an excellent writer and solidier. After unsuccessful efforts to obtain help from the French, Polish, Venetians and Turks, they took action but did not succeed. So, their revolt failed and they were arrested and executed on 30 April 1671. Their estates were immediately confiscated and both families were literally exterminated. Croatia was thwarted in its economic, political and cultural development and nationally broken. This revolt has remained a symbol of a fierce resistance to a foreign tyranny and oppression. It was an unsuccessful attempt to gain political, economic and cultural freedom for a small nation. Zrinski and Frankopan became national heroes and martyrs. In the 1920s their bodies were moved from Wiener Neustadt to their homeland and buried in the Cathedral of Zagreb, the capital of Croatia