Changes

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.

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 it into turmoil and causing 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 between Italians and Croats, <ref>'''Editors note''': The first primary source to mention the Croatian-Hrvat identity in the Balkans was Dux Cruatorum Branimero ''or '''''Prince Branimir''''' (Latin: dux Croatorum)''. It appeared on a stone inscription, c. '''880 AD'''. Prince Branimir was from the town of Nin (Dalmatia). Hrvat or ''Horoúathos'' is a name of Sarmatian orgins. In 1853 a Russian archaeologist ''Pavel Mikhailovich Leontjev'' discovered the Tanais Tablets. The Tanais Tablets mention three men:  Horoúathos, Horoáthos, and Horóathos (Χορούαθ[ος], Χοροάθος, Χορόαθος). They are written in [[Greece|Greek]] and are from the 3rd century AD from the city of Tanais, today's Azov, Russia. At that time the region had a mixed Greek - Sarmatian (Iranian) population.</ref> who were afraid of the risk of reprisals at the time of the advent of the sovereignty of Yugoslavia and the 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 it into turmoil and causing 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 between Italians and Croats, <ref>'''Editors note''': The first primary source to mention the Croatian-Hrvat identity in the Balkans was Dux Cruatorum Branimero ''or '''''Prince Branimir''''' (Latin: dux Croatorum)''. It appeared on a stone inscription, c. '''880 AD'''. Prince Branimir was from the town of Nin (Dalmatia). Hrvat or ''Horoúathos'' are names of '''Sarmatian''' orgins. In 1853 a Russian archaeologist ''Pavel Mikhailovich Leontjev'' discovered the Tanais Tablets. The Tanais Tablets mention three men:  Horoúathos, Horoáthos, and Horóathos (Χορούαθ[ος], Χοροάθος, Χορόαθος). They are written in [[Greece|Greek]] and are from the 3rd century AD from the city of Tanais, today's Azov, Russia. At that time the region had a mixed Greek - Sarmatian (Iranian) population.</ref> who were afraid of the risk of reprisals at the time of the advent of the sovereignty of Yugoslavia and the exodus of the Italian population.  

In March 1921 the exodus of Italians from Korčula began. This was accelerated by events and rallies hostile to Italy that were repeated daily fuelled in particular by the brothers Arneri (of Italian origin), <ref>Editors note: Arneri were originally Perussich ''or'' Piruzović.  Referenced from: [http://books.google.com.au/books?id=E_NBAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA164&dq=These+three+pears+you+see+on+the+wall,%22+said+he,+%22are+the+arms+of+my+family.+Perussich+was+the+name,&hl=en&ei=AsG-TYzeBIa0vwOH4OWsDQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCsQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=These%20three%20pears%20you%20see%20on%20the%20wall%2C%22%20said%20he%2C%20%22are%20the%20arms%20of%20my%20family.%20Perussich%20was%20the%20name%2C&f=false Researches on the Danube and the Adriatic:] by Andrew Archibald Paton. Chapter 4. The Dalmatian Archipelago. (p164)

In March 1921 the exodus of Italians from Korčula began. This was accelerated by events and rallies hostile to Italy that were repeated daily fuelled in particular by the brothers Arneri (of Italian origin), <ref>Editors note: Arneri were originally Perussich ''or'' Piruzović.  Referenced from: [http://books.google.com.au/books?id=E_NBAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA164&dq=These+three+pears+you+see+on+the+wall,%22+said+he,+%22are+the+arms+of+my+family.+Perussich+was+the+name,&hl=en&ei=AsG-TYzeBIa0vwOH4OWsDQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCsQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=These%20three%20pears%20you%20see%20on%20the%20wall%2C%22%20said%20he%2C%20%22are%20the%20arms%20of%20my%20family.%20Perussich%20was%20the%20name%2C&f=false Researches on the Danube and the Adriatic:] by Andrew Archibald Paton. Chapter 4. The Dalmatian Archipelago. (p164)

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. 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).<ref>'''Editors note''': Damianovich, Perucich & Smerchinich are surnames of Slavic origin. The term Slav was first used by the Byzantines (i.e. Procopius-Byzantine scholar, Jordanes- 6th century Roman bureaucrat) and was recorded in the 6th century (cia. 550) in Greek (Σκλαβῖνοι-Sklabenoi). Later in Latin it was written Sclaveni. Slavic tribes invaded the region of''' Roman Dalmatia''' in the early Middle Ages. Prior to the arrival of the Slavs, Roman Dalmatia was mainly inhabited by a Roman Latin-Illyrian population.</ref>  

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).<ref>'''Editors note''': Damianovich, Perucich & Smerchinich are surnames of Slavic origin. The term Slav was first used by the Byzantines (i.e. Procopius-Byzantine scholar, Jordanes- 6th century Roman bureaucrat) and was recorded in the 6th century (cia. 550) in Greek (Σκλαβῖνοι-Sklabenoi). Later in Latin it was written Sclaveni. Slavic tribes invaded the region of''' Roman Dalmatia''' in the early Middle Ages. Prior to the arrival of the Slavs, Roman Dalmatia was mainly inhabited by a '''Roman Latin-Illyrian''' population.</ref>  

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.

==Towns and municipalities in the region of Dubrovnik - Neretva==

==Towns and municipalities in the region of Dubrovnik - Neretva ( Župa dubrovačka)==

Curzola (Korčula) · Metcovich (Metković) · Fort Opus (Opuzen) · Porto Toler (Ploče) · Ragusa (Dubrovnik)

Curzola (Korčula) · Metcovich (Metković) · Fort Opus (Opuzen) · Porto Toler (Ploče) · Ragusa (Dubrovnik)

Common: Blatta (Blato) · Dubrovačko Primorje · Iagnina (Janjina) · Valley Channels (Konavle) · Norino Tower (Kula Norinska) · Lastovo (Lastovo) · Lombarda (Lumbarda) · Mljet (Mljet) · Pojezerje · Sabbioncello (Orebić ) · Slivno · Smoquizza (Smokvica) · Pond (Ston) ·  Trappano (Trpanj) · Vallegrande (Vela Luka) · Zažablje · Župa dubrovačka ·

Common: Blatta (Blato) · Dubrovačko Primorje · Iagnina (Janjina) · Valley Channels (Konavle) · Norino Tower (Kula Norinska) · Lastovo (Lastovo) · Lombarda (Lumbarda) · Mljet (Mljet) · Pojezerje · Sabbioncello (Orebić ) · Slivno · Smoquizza (Smokvica) · Pond (Ston) ·  Trappano (Trpanj) · Vallegrande (Vela Luka) · Zažablje ·  

==References==

==References==