ustaasi

Ustaše (Croatian pronunciation: [ûstaʃeː]) was a fascist political movement and paramilitary organization active in the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, primarily in the interwar period and during World War II. The term "ustaše" is derived from the Croatian word for "rebel" or "insurgent."

The Ustaše Party was founded in 1929 by Ante Pavelić, a former officer in the Austro-Hungarian Army. The movement advocated for a Greater Croatia, which would include territories from other Yugoslav constituent republics. Their ideology was influenced by fascism, ultranationalism, and anti-communism.

During the 1930s, the Ustaše gained support through propaganda and paramilitary activities, known as "ustaše" or "black shirts." They engaged in violent clashes with other political groups, including the Communist Party of Yugoslavia.

In 1941, with the Axis invasion of Yugoslavia, the Ustaše played a significant role in the establishment of the Independent State of Croatia (NDH), a fascist puppet state. Under Pavelić's leadership, the Ustaše implemented a policy of ethnic cleansing, persecution of Jews, Serbs, Romani people, and political opponents, leading to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people.

The Ustaše regime was eventually defeated by the Yugoslav Partisans and other anti-fascist forces in 1945. Many of its leaders were captured and executed, while others went into hiding or fled abroad. The legacy of the Ustaše movement continues to be a contentious issue in Croatian and Yugoslav history, with varying interpretations of their role and impact.