The gradual erosion of allegiance to the Monarchy in Croatia-Slavonia at the beginning of the 20th century marked a shift from the concept of Croatian state rights to ethno-national self-determination. Throughout this period, the primary goal of various Croatian nationalist movements was to reform the constitutional framework of Austria-Hungary, persisting until the Monarchy's impending dissolution made unification with Serbia a viable option. Fernando Veliz’ study examines the significant changes in state allegiance and political claims by Croatian elites during the final fifteen years of the Habsburg Monarchy. It employs a chronological narrative that includes a comparative analysis of key political parties and figures in the Croatian parliament from 1903 to 1918. This approach transcends traditional paradigmatic debates in nationalism studies, offering a theoretically informed historical analysis that contextualizes local events within the broader international landscape. The study's focus on the non-inevitability of outcomes challenges prevailing historiographical narratives regarding the formation of the first Yugoslavia, which often portray it as either an inevitable progression or a doomed endeavor from the start.
