Koncepcija i djelovanje jugoslavenske komunističke strukture za osvajanje obrazovnoga i kulturnoga sustava u Hrvatskoj 1944. I 1945. godine

The paper, based on archival and published historical material and relevant literature, explores the concept and the activities of the Yugoslav communist structures to take over the educational and cultural system in Croatia in 1944 and 1945. This topic has so far been very little explored from the historical perspective, and almost totally unexplored from the perspective of other social sciences and humanities. The introduction of the paper briefly presents the results of scientific research on the establishment of communist rule in Croatia, characterized by the most severe forms of repression at the end of the war and in the post-war period. The first chapter of the paper clarifies the totalitarianism of communist theory and practice, and systematic quality preparation of the Communist Party of Yugoslavia to carry out the revolutionary violence in coping with undesirable institutions and individuals. The main part of the paper, based on historical documents, investigates the role of ZAVNOH (National Anti-Fascist Council of National Liberation of Croatia) and its subsidiary bodies in carrying out preparations for the take-over of “unliberated territories”. The concept of action of the Department of National Education of ZAVNOH, which was responsible for the take-over of the educational and cultural system and its design according to ideological and political interests of the communist regime, has been thoroughly researched. Next, the paper explores the communist practice of dealing with intellectuals in educational and cultural institutions on the Croatian territory. A special role in this was played by the Survey Committee which was responsible for “investigation of the crimes in cultural cooperation with the enemy”, based on which other repressive bodies exerted repression of intellectuals (executions, imprisonment in concentration camps, stigmatization and marginalization). The most systematic repression occurred at the university level on the basis of the law which annulled all academic degrees, diplomas, exams and semesters acquired or recognized at the University of Zagreb and other high school institutions in Croatia in the period from April 10, 1941 to May 9, 1945. The emphasis of the paper is put on the lasting negative consequences of such actions in the Croatian educational and cultural space.