UZROCI TRINAESTOJULSKOG USTANKA U CRNOJ GORI 1941. GODINE
Causes of 13th July 1941 Uprising in Montenegro

Summary/Abstract: After the collapse of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia in April 1941 the area of today’s Montenegro was, for the most part, in the sphere of the Italian occupation zone. Italy introduced a mild occupation administration, the mildest one in occupied Europe. Their aim was to please and win over the people of Montenegro. People had more freedom to move around, trade, work and travel. The price of some food products was reduced, so a larger number of people could afford better food. Trade and craft shops, cafes and hotels were allowed to operate as normal. After a month, the schools were re-opened as well. Even communist organizations acted more freely, given that the Communist Party of Yugoslavia was banned and persecuted in the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. There was no organized or group arrest of the population. On the 17th of April, the day of the entry of Italian troops into Cetinje, the „Provisional Administrative Montenegrin Committee” was formed, as an authority in the country under the auspices of Italy. The task of the Committee was to establish and maintain the smooth functioning of the country. In May 1941, this Committee was renamed to „Technical- Administrative Council”. The foundation for the establishment of the new government was the support of a smaller band of Montenegrin separatists, who perceived theoccupation as the liberation. They were mostly supporters of the Federalist Party. The Civil Commissioner for Montenegro, Serafino Mazzolini, had absolute power over all government bodies. For the occupation of Montenegro Italy set aside the „Messina” division, and they did not foresee any major problems in keeping the people in subjection. An uprising against the Italian government broke out on July 13, 1941, the day after the proclamation of independent Montenegro in Cetinje, under the auspices of Italy. Thus, the separatists‘ plan to create an independent state under the patronage of fascism failed. To break up the uprising Italy needed to use six divisions with reinforcements. Along with this, they required four divisions and several smaller units to maintain the occupation. This tied considerable enemy forces to Montenegro after the suppression of the Uprising. Based on the above and the available archives, it is necessary to answer several questions:1) What are Italy‘s motives for occupying Montenegro?2) How did Italy see Montenegro as part of its occupation zone and inits future plans?3) What were the expectations regarding the keeping of the Montenegrinpeople in obedience?4) What was the role of Montenegrin separatists in the occupation?5) What was the attitude of the people towards the occupier?6) What were the expectations about the possibility of an Uprising?7) What was the contribution of the CPY and the officers of the formerYugoslav Army to the uprising?

• Details
• Contents