Zelenaši

The Zelenasi leader Krsto Zrnov Popović

The Zelenaši (Cyrillic: Зеленаши, meaning Тhe Greens) were a group of Montenegrin dissidents, most notable for instigating the 1919 Christmas rebellion and later for supporting the existence of the fascist Kingdom of Montenegro during World War II.

Characteristics

The Zelenaši consisted of the highland tribes of Moracani, Piperi and Rovci, the Katun clans of Bjelice, Cetinje, Cveto and Cuce and the Hercegovinian tribes of Nikšici and Rudinjani.^[1] They originally existed from 1918 to 1926 in Montenegro in the newly established Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes, when they supported the House of Petrović-Njegoš of Montenegro over the House of Karađorđević of Serbia, and were opposed to the mode and manner in which the south Slavic unification was implemented, resulting in the disappearance of Montenegro as a political entity.

Zelenaši tended to emphasize the key role of Montenegro in Montenegrinhood and Slavhood and many favoured a federal Yugoslavia. Notable leaders of the Greens included Krsto Zrnov Popović^[2], Jovan S. Plamenac and Novica Radović.

Zelenaši re-gathered during World War II, under the command of Krsto Zrnov Popović who in turn acted under the auspices of fascist Italy. They were organized into military unit called the Lovćen Brigade featuring four brigades that participated in the chaotic civil war raging on the ground in Montenegro and whose military activity was mostly directed against communist Partisans. After their military defeat, most of the surviving Zelenaši members joined Partisans while some joined Ustasha and minority joined Chetniks.

Name

The name of the Zelenaši derives from the green voting cards that were used by the supporters the Kingdom of Montenegro at the Podgorica Assembly in 1918.

History

Christmas rebellion

The Greens opposed the unification of the Kingdom of Montenegro with the Kingdom of Serbia under the House of Karađorđević. With support from Italy, the Greens organised an uprising in 1919 with the aim of bringing the House of Petrović-Njegoš back to the Montenegrin throne. Montenegrin Komiti were also known as Krilaši, after the Montenegrin Coat of arms on their caps (two headed eagle-"krila" means wings in Montenegrin).^{[citation needed]}

The uprising might have taken a different course had King Nikola not been deceived by the Great Powers, who promised (and never fulfilled) to reestablish the sovereign state of Montenegro by diplomatic means if he would stop supporting the uprising.^{[citation needed]} Based on this promise, he issued a proclamation in January 1919 asking for a stop to the resistance to save his people from further Serb crimes.^{[citation needed]}

The rebellion failed and the rebels fled to Italy. Krsto Zrnov Popović and Novica Radović lead the uprising, along with Commander Savo Čelebić and Captain Đuro Drašković.

Guerrilla war and pacification

After the unsuccessful uprising, the Greens returned, starting a guerrilla war against Serb hegemony in June. The core of the revolt was subdued in 1922-1923, but low-level guerrilla resistance continued in the highlands for several more years. By 1926, most remaining forms of armed resistance ended. However, a few groups (most notably the militia led by Savo Raspopović) continued engaging in sqirmishes until 1929. Reportedly, the last rebel to lay down his arms did so on the promise that he would receive a sabre and medal from King Alexander I of Yugoslavia.^{[citation needed]}

World War II and their end

In World War II, the Greens were organized yet again in Montenegro under the command of the Fascist Italian occupation government and started a war against the Communist Partisans. Among the Montenegrin federalists, Krsto Zrnov Popović returned from exile in Italy to attempt to lead the Greens. The Greens' forces were called the Lovćen Brigade. Soon, they were disorganized and one group of Greens joined the Partisans, while another joined the Ustasha and some even joinedChetniks/Yugoslav Army in the Fatherland.

After the Partisan victory in 1945, many leaders of the Greens were killed as the collaborators of the Italian occupation: the same Popovic was murdered in 1947. At the same time, the Communists were killing many potential opponents all over Yugoslavia. This marked the end of the Greens.

Order of Freedom of Montenegro

Order of Freedom

Order of Freedom

The Order of Freedom of Montenegro was issued by the exiled King Nikola in January 1919. This order was mainly dedicated to the Greens.

Notes

1. ^ Banač, Ivo (1988-03). The national question in Yugoslavia: origins, history, politics. Cornell University Press. p. 285. ISBN 9780801494932. http://books.google.com/books?id=KfqbujXqQBkC&pg=PA285. Retrieved 17 November 2011. 
2. ^ Popovic biography

See also

• Montenegrins
• King Nicholas I
• Krsto Zrnov Popović
• Kingdom of Montenegro
• Kingdom of Montenegro (1941–1944)
• Christmas Uprising
• Lovćen Brigade

External Links

• The Greens from 1918 to 1945
• Order of Freedom of Montenegro
• Novak Adžić: Montenegrin Greens (Montenegrin)
• Krsto Zrnov Popovic, the leader of Zelenasi (Montenegrin)