Julian action as a legal and political phenomenon in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Abstract

Julian action (programme) as a legal and political phenomenon in Bosnia and Herzegovina at the turn of the XX century, which occurred in the areas inhabited by Hungarians living abroad. It mostly referred to the establishment of Hungarian schools, cultural societies, religious schools and state railways. There are two opposing opinions on its main goals: on the one hand Julian action was perceived as a measure of preserving the identity, culture and language of Hungarians abroad, and on the other it was recognised as the political Hungarisation of Slavs, particularly in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Hungarian government incorporated Julian action into the concept of the Hungarian state idea, aspiring to unite the Hungarian state from the Carpathian Mountains to the Adriatic Sea, with a single Hungarian national language. In that context Hungarians from Bosnia and Herzegovina were observed by other nations as imposed foreign bodies and conquerors, while for Hungary they were a fortress defending them from South Slavic nations who were uniting in their fight against the Monarchy as well as a means of spreading the Hungarian influence and opposing Austrian aspirations. Julian action was short-lived due to the oncoming World War and failed to accomplish the long term goal in Bosnia and Herzegovina.