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'''Josip Broz Tito''' (1892–1980) was a Croatian politician. This article is about a contemporary view of the Balkan ''Dictator'' Josip Broz Tito.  There is no cold war [[Communists|communist]] rhetoric here, rather a critical look at this historic individual.  

'''Josip Broz Tito''' (1892–1980) was a Croatian politician. This article is about a contemporary view of the Balkan ''Dictator'' Josip Broz Tito.  There is no cold war [[Communists|communist]] rhetoric here, rather a critical look at this historic individual.  

''Josip Broz'' was born in the [[Austria|Austro]]-Hungarian Empire, now Croatia (a former republic of Yugoslavia) and was the Commander of all Partisans and Communists during [[World War Two]]. He later became Yugoslavia's political leader and was the main decision maker in military and political matters. He was President for Life of Yugoslavia and played a crucial, if not the main role, in historical events of that country. He was considered by many to be, one of the prominent Eastern European Balkan Dictators of the Cold War era. He also was a member of the infamous Soviet Police-NKVD.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josip_Broz_Tito#Early_life|title=Wikipedia: Josip Broz Tito}}</ref>  

''Josip Broz'' was born in the [[Austria|Austro]]-Hungarian Empire, now Croatia (a former republic of Yugoslavia) and was the Commander of all Partisans and Communists during [[World War Two]]. He later became Yugoslavia's political leader and was the main decision maker in military and political matters. He was President for Life of Yugoslavia and played a crucial, if not the main role, in historical events of that country. He was considered by many to be, one of the prominent Eastern European Balkan Dictators of the Cold War era. He also was a member of the infamous Soviet Police-NKVD.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josip_Broz_Tito#Early_life|title=Wikipedia: Josip Broz Tito|}}</ref>  

He is a controversial historical figure in the Balkans.  

He is a controversial historical figure in the Balkans.  

*The Prime Minister of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.  

*The Prime Minister of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.  

*Secretary-General of the League of Communists of Yugoslavia (1939–80).

*Secretary-General of the League of Communists of Yugoslavia (1939–80).

* Marshal of Yugoslavia, serving as the supreme commander of the Yugoslav military, the Yugoslav People's Army.

*Marshal of Yugoslavia, serving as the supreme commander of the Yugoslav military, the Yugoslav People's Army.

*One of the founders of Cominform. Cominform was the beginning of the Soviet communist block (Yugoslavia was expelled by Stalin in 1948).

*One of the founders of Cominform. Cominform was the beginning of the Soviet communist block (Yugoslavia was expelled by Stalin in 1948).

*One of the main founders and promoters of the Non-Aligned Movement, and its first Secretary-General.

*One of the main founders and promoters of the Non-Aligned Movement, and its first Secretary-General.

*"The killing continued after the war as Tito's victorious forces took revenge on their real and perceived enemies. British forces in Austria turned back tens of thousands of fleeing Yugoslavs. Estimates range from 30,000 to 55,000 people killed between spring and autumn 1945."

*"The killing continued after the war as Tito's victorious forces took revenge on their real and perceived enemies. British forces in Austria turned back tens of thousands of fleeing Yugoslavs. Estimates range from 30,000 to 55,000 people killed between spring and autumn 1945."

</ref>}}

</ref>}}

The [[Titoism and Totalitarianism#Goli Otok|Goli Otok]] (Barren Island), a notorious prison on the Croatian coast, (former Yugoslavia’s Evil Island-Gulag) is where the regime imprisoned their enemies. They included mainly ''alleged'' enemies of the communist state, other Communist Party members, regular citizens accused of exhibiting any democratic, anti-communist behaviour and Stalinists. It is estimated over 100 000 people where arrested on false allegations and imprisoned. Family members were told that they went on a business trip. Other camps that were used by the regime are KPH Zenica, Stare Gradiska and Sveti Grgur.

The [[Titoism and Totalitarianism#Goli Otok|Goli Otok]] (Barren Island), a notorious prison on the Croatian coast, (former Yugoslavia’s Evil Island-Gulag) is where the regime imprisoned their enemies.<ref>[http://books.google.com.au/books?id=FTw3lEqi2-oC&pg=PA179&dq=Andrija+Hebrang+purge&cd=4#v=onepage&q=goli%20otok&f=false The Three Yugoslavias: State-building and Legitimation, 1918-2005] by Sabrina P. Ramet. (p377)</ref><ref>[http://books.google.com.au/books?id=RIIX4PCkduwC&pg=PA377&dq=Discontents:+Postmodern+and+Post-communist+(2002)+tito.&hl=en&ei=-73DS_ikK4zk7APE7vGzCQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CDYQ6AEwAA#v=snippet&q=goli%20otok&f=false Discontents: Postmodern and Postcommunist] by Paul Hollander. (p397)</ref><ref>[http://www.goliotok.com/ Goli Otok: Yugoslavia’s Evil Island] Gulag Josip Zoretic-Political prisoner of the former Yugoslavia's most notorious prison.</ref><ref>Vera Winter–Croatian Economist. Political prisoner of the former Yugoslavia's prison, Goli Otok. BBC 4/Tito's Ghosts</ref><ref>Alfred Pal-Croatian Artist. Political prisoner of the former Yugoslavia's  prison, Goli Otok. BBC 4/Tito's Ghosts</ref> They included mainly ''alleged'' enemies of the communist state, other Communist Party members, regular citizens accused of exhibiting any democratic, anti-communist behaviour and Stalinists. It is estimated over 100 000 people where arrested on false allegations and imprisoned. Family members were told that they went on a business trip. Other camps that were used by the regime are KPH Zenica, Stare Gradiska and Sveti Grgur.

== Second Yugoslavia ==

== Second Yugoslavia ==

Tito's greatest strength  was acquiring money from the West. This made it possible for the creation of the  "second Yugoslavia", a socialist, communist federation that lasted from 1945 until 1991. The West wanted to give support to Yugoslavia in opposition to the Soviet Union during the Cold War. More money was given to Yugoslavia during the Cold war years than to Africa.

Tito's greatest strength  was acquiring money from the West. This made it possible for the creation of the  "second Yugoslavia", a socialist, communist federation that lasted from 1945 until 1991. The West wanted to give support to Yugoslavia in opposition to the Soviet Union during the Cold War. More money was given to Yugoslavia during the Cold war years than to Africa.

*Information from 'Keeping Tito Afloat' by  Lorraine M. Lees:

*Information from 'Keeping Tito Afloat' by  Lorraine M. Lees:

{{Cquote|''After World War Two, the [[United States]] considered Yugoslavia to be a loyal Soviet satellite, but Tito surprised the West in 1948 by breaking with Stalin. Seizing this opportunity, the Truman administration sought to "keep Tito afloat" by giving him military and economic aid.''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=MO0brh8EgdcC&pg=PR16&dq=Keeping+Tito+Afloat:+The+United+States,+Yugoslavia,+and+the+Cold+War+loans&hl=en&ei=0VB2TPu3GMWrcYbigY8G&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCUQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=loans&f=false|title=Keeping Keeping Tito Afloat}}  by Lorraine M. Lees  

{{Cquote|''After World War Two, the [[United States]] considered Yugoslavia to be a loyal Soviet satellite, but Tito surprised the West in 1948 by breaking with Stalin. Seizing this opportunity, the Truman administration sought to "keep Tito afloat" by giving him military and economic aid.''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=MO0brh8EgdcC&pg=PR16&dq=Keeping+Tito+Afloat:+The+United+States,+Yugoslavia,+and+the+Cold+War+loans&hl=en&ei=0VB2TPu3GMWrcYbigY8G&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCUQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=loans&f=false|title=Keeping Keeping Tito Afloat|}}  by Lorraine M. Lees  

*"Keeping Tito Afloat draws upon newly '''declassified''' documents to show the critical role that Yugoslavia played in [[United States|U.S. foreign]] policy with the communist world in the early years of the Cold War."</ref>}}  

*"Keeping Tito Afloat draws upon newly '''declassified''' documents to show the critical role that Yugoslavia played in [[United States|U.S. foreign]] policy with the communist world in the early years of the Cold War." (p67,p71, p74, p83, p85, p98, p90 & p182)</ref>}}  

Josip Broz was a backer of independent roads to socialism. In 1950, the National Assembly supported a bill written by Milovan Dilas and Tito about "self-management", an independent socialism that experimented with profit sharing with workers in state-run enterprises. He supported the policy of non-alignment between the two hostile blocs in the Cold War. Such successful diplomacy allowed Tito to preside over the Yugoslav economic boom and the expansion of the 1960s and 70s however, it was all a short-term solution.<ref>'''Encyclopaedia Britannica'''-History & Society: Josip Broz Tito

Josip Broz was a backer of independent roads to socialism. In 1950, the National Assembly supported a bill written by Milovan Dilas and Tito about "self-management", an independent socialism that experimented with profit sharing with workers in state-run enterprises. He supported the policy of non-alignment between the two hostile blocs in the Cold War. Such successful diplomacy allowed Tito to preside over the Yugoslav economic boom and the expansion of the 1960s and 70s however, it was all a short-term solution.<ref>'''Encyclopaedia Britannica'''-History & Society: Josip Broz Tito

*"He promoted self-management but never gave up on the party’s monopoly of power. He permitted broad freedoms in science, art, and culture that were unheard of in the Soviet bloc, but he kept excoriating the West. He preached peaceful coexistence but built an army that, in 1991, delivered the coup de grace to the dying Yugoslav state. At his death, the '''state treasury''' was '''empty''' and political opportunists unchecked." </ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwone/yugoslavia_03.shtml|title=BBC-History by Tim Judah|}}</ref> <ref>[http://books.google.com.au/books?id=pSxJdE4MYo4C&pg=PA187&dq=Ivo+Goldstein++Tito&hl=en&ei=ighBTLC6M8Srcb_9uaQP&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCcQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=the%20economic%20failure%20of%20Tito’s%20system&f=false Croatia: A History] by Ivo Goldstein. (p187)</ref> His presidency and leadership were authoritarian and ''Dictatorial'' while his internal policies included the suppression of nationalist sentiment. He and the Communist Party of Yugoslavia promoted the "brotherhood and unity" of the six Yugoslav nations which was achieved by Communist Dictatorship policies (and propaganda).  

*"He promoted self-management but never gave up on the party’s monopoly of power. He permitted broad freedoms in science, art, and culture that were unheard of in the Soviet bloc, but he kept excoriating the West. He preached peaceful coexistence but built an army that, in 1991, delivered the coup de grace to the dying Yugoslav state. At his death, the '''state treasury''' was '''empty''' and political opportunists unchecked." </ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwone/yugoslavia_03.shtml|title=BBC-History by Tim Judah|}}</ref> <ref>[http://books.google.com.au/books?id=pSxJdE4MYo4C&pg=PA187&dq=Ivo+Goldstein++Tito&hl=en&ei=ighBTLC6M8Srcb_9uaQP&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCcQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=the%20economic%20failure%20of%20Tito’s%20system&f=false Croatia: A History] by Ivo Goldstein. (p187)</ref> His presidency and leadership were authoritarian and totalitarian <ref>{{cite web|url=http://books.google.com.au/books?id=4t5gBayTeDQC&pg=PA214&dq=Yugoslavia+Totalitarian+state&hl=en&ei=CJ_eS7HuF8uLkAXJxd3PBw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=9&ved=0CFYQ6AEwCDgU#v=onepage&q=Yugoslavia%20Totalitarian%20state&f=false|title=Titoism in Action: The Reforms in Yugoslavia After 1948|}} by Fred Warner Neal. Second chapter:

*"In a totalitarian state, personal freedom and human rights invariably most at the hands of unrestrianed police activity. That Yugoslavia was no exception was admitted by [[Directory:Bleiburg Massacre Wikipedia#Aleksandar Rankovic|Aleksandar Rankovic]], himself head of secret police or State Security Administration. This organization is known in Yugoslavia as UDBA." (p214)</ref> while his internal policies included the suppression of nationalist sentiment. He and the Communist Party of Yugoslavia promoted the "brotherhood and unity" of the six Yugoslav nations which was achieved by Communist Dictatorship policies (and propaganda).  

*Information on some of Tito's government policies from the ''European'' Public Hearing on “Crimes Committed by Totalitarian Regimes" <ref>[http://www.mp.gov.si/fileadmin/mp.gov.si/pageuploads/2005/PDF/publikacije/Crimes_committed_by_Totalitarian_Regimes.pdf European Public Hearing on “Crimes Committed by Totalitarian Regimes"] Reports and proceedings of the 8th of April European public hearing on “Crimes committed by totalitarian regimes” organised by the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the [[European Union]] (January–June 2008) and the European Commission. Joze Dezman: COMMUNIST REPRESSION AND TRANSITIONAL JUSTICE IN SLOVENIA   

*Information on some of Tito's government policies from the ''European'' Public Hearing on “Crimes Committed by Totalitarian Regimes" <ref>[http://www.mp.gov.si/fileadmin/mp.gov.si/pageuploads/2005/PDF/publikacije/Crimes_committed_by_Totalitarian_Regimes.pdf European Public Hearing on “Crimes Committed by Totalitarian Regimes"] Reports and proceedings of the 8th of April European public hearing on “Crimes committed by totalitarian regimes” organised by the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the [[European Union]] (January–June 2008) and the European Commission. Joze Dezman: COMMUNIST REPRESSION AND TRANSITIONAL JUSTICE IN SLOVENIA   

*"In the greater part of this paper, the author deals with individual repressive measures that Communist rule imposed in Slovenia in the period from the end of the war in 1945 until the beginning of the 1950s. In this period, the [[Communists|Communist]] authorities in Slovenia implemented all the forms of repression that were typical of states with Stalinist regimes. In Slovenia, it was a time of mass killings without court trials and of concentration and labour camps." (p197 & p161) </ref>, page 197:

*"In the greater part of this paper, the author deals with individual repressive measures that Communist rule imposed in Slovenia in the period from the end of the war in 1945 until the beginning of the 1950s. In this period, the [[Communists|Communist]] authorities in Slovenia implemented all the forms of repression that were typical of states with Stalinist regimes. In Slovenia, it was a time of mass killings without court trials and of concentration and labour camps." (p197, p161 & p201) </ref>, page 197:

{{Cquote|

{{Cquote|

Totalitarian machines:  

Totalitarian machines:  

*Aggressive assumption of power and struggle for territory.}}

*Aggressive assumption of power and struggle for territory.}}

'''Note''': [[Titoism and Totalitarianism|''Titoism'']] are political ideologies and government policies that dominated the history of the former Yugoslavia. Titoism as an ideology that emerged after the Tito and Stalin split and was named after Josip Broz Tito.   

'''Note''': [[Titoism and Totalitarianism|''Titoism'']] are political ideologies and government policies that dominated the history of the former Yugoslavia. Titoism as an ideology that emerged after the Tito and Stalin split and was named after Josip Broz Tito.   

*Information on some of Tito's government policies from the ''European'' Public Hearing on “Crimes Committed by Totalitarian Regimes", page 161:

*Information on some of Tito's government policies from the ''European'' Public Hearing on “Crimes Committed by Totalitarian Regimes", pages 161 & 201:

{{Cquote|

{{Cquote|

*''Property was '''confiscated''', inhabitants were expelled from Slovenia/Yugoslavia and their residences, political and show trials were carried out, religion was repressed and the Catholic Church and its clergy were persecuted. At the beginning of the 1950s, [[Communists|Communist]] rule in Slovenia abandoned these forms of repression but was ready to reapply them if it felt threatened.''  

*''Property was '''confiscated''', inhabitants were expelled from Slovenia/Yugoslavia and their residences, political and show trials were carried out, religion was repressed and the Catholic Church and its clergy were persecuted. At the beginning of the 1950s, [[Communists|Communist]] rule in Slovenia abandoned these forms of repression but was ready to reapply them if it felt threatened.''  

*''Thus the regime set up political  [[Talk:Titoism and Totalitarianism#Fake trials|show trials]] against certain more visible opponents. In the case of an “emergency situation”, even the establishment of concentration camps was planned in Slovenia in 1968, where around 1,000 persons, of whom 10 % were women, would be interned for political reasons.''}}

*''Thus the regime set up political  [[Talk:Titoism and Totalitarianism#Fake trials|show trials]] against certain more visible opponents. In the case of an “emergency situation”, even the establishment of concentration camps was planned in Slovenia in 1968, where around 1,000 persons, of whom 10 % were women, would be interned for political reasons.''

}}

*''' Harry Truman''' (the [[Directory:Harry S. Truman|President of USA]]) on the 23rd of April in 1948, in a speech stated:

*''' Harry Truman''' (the [[Directory:Harry S. Truman|President of USA]]) on the 23rd of April in 1948, in a speech stated:

After the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 it has become evident that the Western allies Cold War relationship with Yugoslavia is much more '''complex''' than it first appeared. We are looking at the fact that the West turned a blind eye to Yugoslavia’s Communist Stalinist policies. The Western allies were complicit in joining in the glorification of Tito. Tito’s cult of personality<ref> '''Discontents: Post-modern and Post communist’ by Paul Hollander.

After the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 it has become evident that the Western allies Cold War relationship with Yugoslavia is much more '''complex''' than it first appeared. We are looking at the fact that the West turned a blind eye to Yugoslavia’s Communist Stalinist policies. The Western allies were complicit in joining in the glorification of Tito. Tito’s cult of personality<ref> '''Discontents: Post-modern and Post communist’ by Paul Hollander.

*“Virtually every [[Communists|communist]] system extinct or surviving at one point or another had a supreme leader who was both extraordinarily powerful and surrounded by a bizarre cult, indeed worship. In the past (or in a more traditional contemporary societies) such as cults were reserved for deities and associated with conventional religious behaviour and institutions. These cults although apparently an intrinsic part of communist dictatorships (at any rate at a stage in their evolution) are largely forgotten today.”

*“Virtually every [[Communists|communist]] system extinct or surviving at one point or another had a supreme leader who was both extraordinarily powerful and surrounded by a bizarre cult, indeed worship. In the past (or in a more traditional contemporary societies) such as cults were reserved for deities and associated with conventional religious behaviour and institutions. These cults although apparently an intrinsic part of communist dictatorships (at any rate at a stage in their evolution) are largely forgotten today.”

*“ Stalin, Mao, Castro, Ho Chi Minh, Kim Sung, Enver Hoxha, Ceascesu, Dimitrov, Ulbricht, Gottwald, '''Tito''' and others all were the object of such cults. The prototypical cult was that of Stalin which was duplicated elsewhere with minor variations. (p377) ”[http://daviscenter.fas.harvard.edu/people/bio_hollander.html Paul Hollander] Ph.D in Sociology. Princeton University, 1963, B.A. London School of Economics, 1959 Professor Emeritus of Sociology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst Center Associate, Davis Center</ref><ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=Mi9b2yenE0kC&pg=PA91&dq=cult+of+personality+Josip+broz+tito&client=safari&cd=8#v=onepage&q=&f=false Governing by Committee:] Collegial Leadership in Advanced Societies by Thomas A. Baylis. Communist Collective Leadership, (p91)</ref><ref>Government Leaders, Military Rulers and Political Activists: An Encyclopaedia of People Who Changed the World (Lives & Legacies Series) by David W. Del Testa, Florence Lemoine &  John Strickland. Legacy Chapter (p181)</ref> was of staggering proportions and it is apparent that it was modelled on Joseph Stalin’s. This casting a blind eye on the  situation that was occurring in Yugoslavia was very interesting.  

*“ Stalin, Mao, Castro, Ho Chi Minh, Kim Sung, Enver Hoxha, Ceascesu, Dimitrov, Ulbricht, Gottwald, '''Tito''' and others all were the object of such cults. The prototypical cult was that of Stalin which was duplicated elsewhere with minor variations. (p377)  

 

”[http://daviscenter.fas.harvard.edu/people/bio_hollander.html Paul Hollander] Ph.D in Sociology. Princeton University, 1963, B.A. London School of Economics, 1959 Professor Emeritus of Sociology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst Center Associate, Davis Center</ref><ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=Mi9b2yenE0kC&pg=PA91&dq=cult+of+personality+Josip+broz+tito&client=safari&cd=8#v=onepage&q=&f=false Governing by Committee:] Collegial Leadership in Advanced Societies by Thomas A. Baylis. Communist Collective Leadership, (p91)</ref><ref>Government Leaders, Military Rulers and Political Activists: An Encyclopaedia of People Who Changed the World (Lives & Legacies Series) by David W. Del Testa, Florence Lemoine &  John Strickland. Legacy Chapter (p181)</ref> was of staggering proportions and it is apparent that it was modelled on Joseph Stalin’s. This casting a blind eye on the  situation that was occurring in Yugoslavia was very interesting.  

The fact that the British sent (Operation Keelhaul) over 100 000 people to their deaths by returning Axis Forces POWs and civilians (including women and children) to Yugoslavia after World War Two is just amazing. This action resulted in one of the greatest massacres in [[Europe|European]] history<ref>[http://internationallawobserver.eu/2009/06/22/responding-to-post-second-world-war-totalitarian-crimes-in-slovenia/ International Law Observer]</ref> of recent times (Bleiburg and Way of the Cross).

The fact that the British sent (Operation Keelhaul) over 100 000 people to their deaths by returning Axis Forces POWs and civilians (including women and children) to Yugoslavia after World War Two is just amazing. This action resulted in one of the greatest massacres in [[Europe|European]] history<ref>[http://internationallawobserver.eu/2009/06/22/responding-to-post-second-world-war-totalitarian-crimes-in-slovenia/ International Law Observer]</ref> of recent times (Bleiburg and Way of the Cross).

As the leader of Yugoslavia, Tito maintained a lavish playboy lifestyle and kept several mansions. In Belgrade he resided in the official palace, (Beli Dvor), and maintained a separate private residence. He spent much time at his private island of Brijuni [http://library.thinkquest.org/05aug/00220/brijuni/brijuni2.jpg (''link'')], an official residence from 1949 on, and at his palace at the Bled Lake. By 1974 Tito had 32 official residences.

As the leader of Yugoslavia, Tito maintained a lavish playboy lifestyle and kept several mansions. In Belgrade he resided in the official palace, (Beli Dvor), and maintained a separate private residence. He spent much time at his private island of Brijuni [http://library.thinkquest.org/05aug/00220/brijuni/brijuni2.jpg (''link'')], an official residence from 1949 on, and at his palace at the Bled Lake. By 1974 Tito had 32 official residences.

According to [[Wikipedia]], Josip Broz worked for the Benz auto mobile factory in Austria and worked as a test driver for Daimler.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josip_Broz_Tito#Early_life|title=Wikipedia: Josip Broz Tito}}</ref>  

According to [[Wikipedia]], Josip Broz worked for the Benz auto mobile factory in Austria and worked as a test driver for Daimler.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josip_Broz_Tito#Early_life|title=Wikipedia: Josip Broz Tito|}}</ref>  

== See also ==

== See also ==

*[[Titoism and Totalitarianism]]

*[[Titoism and Totalitarianism]]