Projects / Programmes
The Tyranny of Totalitarian Communism in Slovenia 1941-1990
January 1, 2013
- December 31, 2016
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 6.01.00 |
Humanities |
Historiography |
|
| 5.05.00 |
Social sciences |
Law |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| H250 |
Humanities |
Contemporary history (since 1914) |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 6.01 |
Humanities |
History and Archaeology |
| 5.05 |
Social Sciences |
Law |
Researchers (8)
Organisations (1)
Abstract
Slovenia ist the only member state of the EU that in 20th century experienced three totalitarian regimes: Fascism, Nazism and Communism. The Communist regime lasted much longer than the others: from the end of the World War II till the first democratic elections in April 1990, when the opposition parties united in DEMOS movement. It is also less investigated. EU – and Slovenia as its part – rests on a system of common values, that is liberty, democracy and respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms. Emphasis will be placed predominantly on numerous violations of basic human rights and freedoms that occured in Slovenia during and after the Second World War up to 1990. The aim of the programme is a comprehensive approach to the problems of Communism in Slovenia on the same level as those of Nazism and Fascism.
The Communist regime in Slovenia came to power in 1945 through a revolution that had begun already in 1941. The Communists saw in the occupation the only chance to gain power. An umbrella organisation of resistance called »Liberation Front« was organized that monopolized resistance against the occupiers. That led to a civil war. Immediately after the war mass slaughter of the surrended HomeGuards began as well as liquidation of ideological opponents, actual and imaginary opponents were put on trial, concentration and forced labour camps were established, the confiscation of property and compulsory surrender of goods were undertaken. Many were deprived of their basic civil and political rights, also the right to vote. Many people, especially members of the German and Hungarian minorities, were expelled from their homes etc. The courts issued very severe sentences particularly in the years immediately following the war. These included the death sentence, forced labour, land seizures etc. The Communist regime applied tremendous pressure on the Catholic Church, that was its internal enemy number one till 1990, because it remained the only organization not controlled by Communist party. Numerous members of the clergy were put on trial or were subject of administrative punishments. The trials against wealthier farmers, the so called »kulaki«, carried through especially in the years 1949-1951, were also politically motivated. The aim was the collectivization of land.
After the war the power of the Communist Party expanded to all spheres of public life (political, social, cultural, religious and economic). There was no separation of powers, even the judicial branch was subordinated to Communist authorities. Political parties were not allowed, the opposition was excluded from the political process and there was no equality before the law, nor freedom of speech or free press. A vast part of property was confiscated. The regime was supported by the repressive political secret police (1944 the Department for National Protection – Ozna, from 1946 onwards, the Administration of State Security – UDV or Udba, from 1966 onwards, the Service of National Security). Through its fulltime agents and unofficial informants, it was able to survey everyday life of the whole population and create a culture of fear. A new communist elite came up with many privileges.
Significance for science
Dealing with the problems of Communist regime has until now been very neglected in Slovenian historical accounts, as only individual historians have involved themselves in this issue. Beside that an independent scientific research of Communist regime started rather late. The Study Center for National Reconciliation has identified as its primary objective to join in the systematic investigation of these issues, and in doing so, to contribute to the discovery of new historical data within this field. Studies published in the series »Revolutionary Violence« and »Totalitarisms – Questions and Challenges« helped to get a better overview of the war and postwar situation on Slovenian territory, respectively in the Republic of Slovenia. With the research and analysis of a less known background, the reasons for and consequences of violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the Slovenian territories between 1941 and 1990, we contributed to the discovery of new historical (and legal) facts and realisations in the research field. They are important for historical experts, as well as other scientific disciplines, especially for the field of law. This enable a deeper and wider knowledge of the violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the 20th century. It is important to encourage the awareness that human rights and fundamental freedoms should not be taken for granted or as given. Efforts should be made to prevent that violations occur again. Members of the programme group informed professional as well as wider audiences of our achievements. We organized and took part in scientific meetings at home and abroad, published several scientific articles and scientific monographs. New findings are of valuable help to various researchers and institutions, and contribute to the development of history profession.
Significance for the country
Because knowledge of history is important for each country, including Slovenia, here especially for the reconciliation process, the shifts in the field of recent history research are of crucial importance. During the Communist regime historiography was a tool in the hands of the authorities. Because of that, new thorough research, based on new archival material that became accessible only in recent years, is necessary, but it is also important to investigate or take into account those facts that were already known, but did not find their way into official historiography. Ronaldis Racinskas, who was the led a Commission for the Evaluation of the Crimes in Lithuania, pointed out in the publication that was published by the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the EU, that there are double research standards for Nazi and Communist regimes. The program group therefore paid special attention to the theoretical examination of totalitarian systems and set a catalogue of common characteristics. It is of essential importance that totalitarian regimes and phenomena are assessed according to the same criteria. This catalogue is the basis for the study of specific cases. It is also necessary to define and explain the basic concepts, which also lead the work of the program group. It is necessary that historiography shakes off the ideological premises. A special chapter covers mass violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms, here broke the program group new grounds, because these violations in and after World War II are not researched enough yet. Results of the program contribute to the development of the historical science, but also to other fields that deal with totalitarian regimes and violations of human rights, such as law, education, politics, sociology, linguistics, and others. The program group systematically investigated revolutionary violence in the Slovenian provinces and so contributed to a better understanding of the developments. Up to now Upper Carniola has been covered as well as parts of Slovene Littoral (Gorica and Vipava, the rest will follow). Research of Ljubljana is finished, which is of crucial importance because revolutionary violence had its start there. Numerous violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms after World War II as well as consequences of the implementation of totalitarian measures are not well researched yet. The research focusses – in addition to the murders – mainly on the show trials, administrative measures, the persecution of the Catholic Church and the situation of farmers, but also on the illegal border crossings. The outline of the research program The Tyranny of Totalitarian Communism in Slovenia 1941-1990 provides a foundation for the correction of injustices, possibilities for harmonious civilizational and cultural development of Slovenia and the realization of national reconciliation. New realizations and facts are important for the educational and pedagogic process, as they can impress upon the conscience of school children the necessity of respecting human rights and fundamental freedoms, particularly with the intent that such violations would never be repeated again. This, as well as informing the wider public of new discoveries and results that pertain to totalitarian tyranny, also have an effect upon the development of national cultural heritage and national identity. It is necessary to underline the importance of international connections of the program members of SCNR with related institutions in Europe and with Slovenes across the border and abroad. In order that our texts are accessible to the general public outside Slovenia, papers were published also in English, German and Italian – not only in Slovenia. To be able to find similarities and differences the Slovenian experiences must be placed in the wider European space with the aim that the violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms, characteristic in totalitarian past, would not to be repeated.
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2013,
2014,
2015,
final report
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2013,
2014,
2015,
final report
