Changes

In 1893, there were protests by the local population. The imperial authorities closed the local Italian school and education was provided solely in Korčula in Croatia however the town of Korčula continued to vote for the Smerchinich family.  In 1895, in response to the growing slavitization of the town of Korčula one of the first sites of the National League was founded. The League strove for the preservation of Italian language and culture on site.  

In 1893, there were protests by the local population. The imperial authorities closed the local Italian school and education was provided solely in Korčula in Croatia however the town of Korčula continued to vote for the Smerchinich family.  In 1895, in response to the growing slavitization of the town of Korčula one of the first sites of the National League was founded. The League strove for the preservation of Italian language and culture on site.  

In 1909, however, despite the slavitization, all the acts of local authorities in the  district of Korčula  still had bilingual character. With the collapse of Austria-Hungary following the end of [[World War I]], fierce disputes between Italians and Croatians occurred in Korcula

In 1909, however, despite the slavitization, all the acts of local authorities in the  district of Korčula  still had bilingual character. With the collapse of Austria-Hungary following the end of [[World War I]], fierce disputes between Italians and Croatians occurred in Korčula

On November 4, 1918, the Italian navy occupied the city. However, in 1921, Italy gave up and retreated from the island, throwing into turmoil and caused depression in the local Italian population (then about 900 people). The situation was aggravated by the fact that between 1918 and 1920, the Italian occupying authorities had incited and caused part of the Italian anti-Yugoslav conflict. This created animosity among Italians and Croats, who were afraid of the risk of reprisals at the time of the advent of the sovereignty of Yugoslavia, and the risk of an exodus of the Italian population.  

On November 4, 1918, the Italian navy occupied the city. However, in 1921, Italy gave up and retreated from the island, throwing into turmoil and caused depression in the local Italian population (then about 900 people). The situation was aggravated by the fact that between 1918 and 1920, the Italian occupying authorities had incited and caused part of the Italian anti-Yugoslav conflict. This created animosity among Italians and Croats, who were afraid of the risk of reprisals at the time of the advent of the sovereignty of Yugoslavia, and the risk of an exodus of the Italian population.  

In May 1921, more than half of local Italians had left the island. At the end of that year, only 180 Italians who had stayed on the island, gathered around the local school, then closed.  

In May 1921, more than half of local Italians had left the island. At the end of that year, only 180 Italians who had stayed on the island, gathered around the local school, then closed.  

In 1923, the number of Italians had been reduced to 46. Many of these remaining Italians, however, had preferred to have Yugoslav citizenship in exchange for not losing their economic activities. Indeed, in 1933 the mixed elementary school had 40 Italian pupils. Korcula also continued to operate the Italian Union, an association chaired by Michele Smerchinich, with 41 members.  These people were remaining members of the main Italian families (Benussi, Damianovich, Depolo, Perucich, Radizza, Smerchinich, Vinz, Zanetti).  

In 1923, the number of Italians had been reduced to 46. Many of these remaining Italians, however, had preferred to have Yugoslav citizenship in exchange for not losing their economic activities. Indeed, in 1933 the mixed elementary school had 40 Italian pupils. Korčula also continued to operate the Italian Union, an association chaired by Michele Smerchinich, with 41 members.  These people were remaining members of the main Italian families (Benussi, Damianovich, Depolo, Perucich, Radizza, Smerchinich, Vinz, Zanetti).  

At the end of [[World War II]], however, there were no Italians left on Korčula.

At the end of [[World War II]], however, there were no Italians left on Korčula.