Ante Ante StarčevićStarčević, Ph.D., Ph.D.

23 May 1823 –

28 February 1896

“The father of Croatia” Ante Starčević was born

in Žitnik, a village near the town Gospić, in 1823.

The nickname “Fater of Croatia” was given to him because he was one of the very few, and the first person who spoke outloud, propagating Croatia’s independece and the unification of all South Slavonians.

The school he went to as a child

His life in one sentence

““Every greatness begins as a trifle”Every greatness begins as a trifle”

This is one of his famous aphorisms and desribes his life in only few words. He started as a village boy, but ended his life as the greatest politician in

the history of Croatia.

The famous speechHis most famous speech ever is the one spoken on 26th July, 1961. This speech is the foundation of his National Party.

His political idea

Although Starčević was very active in the politics, he didn’t consider himself as a

politician. He considered himself more as an ideologist. In one of his papers he states his political idea: “Even if Croatia was one hour long, or one hour wide, even if five Croats lived in it, even if they are only

five, at least they should be free”.

His first prisoning

Ante Starčević was first prisoned in autumn 1862 because he had stood up the Austrians – the

emperor. He learned there how dangerous it can be to lead the people on the right way because

first you have to prove them their short-sightedness and then their unintelligency, which

people barely forgive and never forget.

The “Goverment’s enemy no. 1”

He was completely against any kind of reign over Croatia. Starčević wanted his nation

to be free, to be independent. The emperor didn’t like it so Starčević should have been

moved from Croatia’s political scene no matter what. He was a patriot who was too

dangerous for the ruling top.

His ideas of forming the State

He percieved the real value of Croatia and he had great ideas of forming the State of Croatia, but was misunderstood by

his contemporaries, he couldn’t change the Croatia of that period.

Question to the Goverment:

“If someone beats you and pulls down your house, will you help

him to pull down your house, will you kill yourself; or will you defense yourself and

your house, and search for help

against the bandit?”

As same as today

It still isn’t too late, Starčević’s ideas can be realized and we can establish a pure new Croatia with a valid justice. At his time, like today probably as well, the ruling

Goverment is scared of Starčević’s visions because he condemned lies and immorality

because such people ruled Croatia at his time as they do today.

School: Gimnazija Gospić, Gospić

Student: Marija Starčević

Class: 2. b

Year: 2008/09

The End