The Many Faces of Yugoslavism: A Case Study of Two Croatian Historians in the Transition from the Habsburg Monarchy to the Yugoslav State

With the dissolution of Austria-Hungary and the establishment of the new Yugoslav state, mainstream Croatian historians found themselves in a changed situation, yet their long-lasting subscription to Yugoslavism proved to be a valuable asset in adapting to novel circumstances. They could assume the same important role in nation-building efforts in the new state just as well as in the old one. Ferdo Šišić and Gavro Manojlović are perfect examples in this regard. By examining their life and work, especially in the transitional period, this article looks at the strategies they used to position themselves in the altered political context. The central question it poses is in what ways and to what purposes did they employ Yugoslav ideologemes and their pre-war Yugoslav loyalties, and in what degree was their historiographical work the result of the expected political role of academic historiography in the historist tradition. In doing this it supports the views which transcend the simplistic and binary interpretations of Yugoslavism, looking at it as a complex and fluid concept that presented an important political framework for engagement by various historical actors