The Free Territory of Trieste (1947 – 1954)

The Free Territory of Trieste (1947–1954) was the result between a dispute between the West and the East, between the United States and the Soviet Union, between Italy and Yugoslavia. Once part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire the Italians took it after World War One was over. However, after the Second World War the new Yugoslav state, led by Josip Broz Tito claimed it. British Gen. Sir William Morgan proposed a temporalily solution and the Morgan Line was created. The Tito–Stalin split (Yugoslav–Soviet split) put an end to the tensions. It was formalized much later in 1975 by the Treaty of Osimo. The history of Trieste is a forgotten episode in history of the Cold War.
History Hustle presents: Free Territory of Trieste (1947–1954).

SOURCES

– The Cold War: A World History (Odd Arne Westad).
– The Exodus of Italians from Istria and Dalmatia, 1945–56 (Gustavo Corni) in The Disentanglement of Populations. Migration, Expulsion and Displacement in Post-War Europe, 1944–9 (Edited by Jessica Reinisch and Elizabeth White).

IMAGES

SOUNDS

[HistoryHustle]

Learn about other SHORT-LIVED STATES:

[lenjkling]

My father was stationed in Trieste 1953-54 as part of the U.S. 351st Infantry, and came home when the city was transferred to the Italians. My mother recalled a tense time when Yugoslavia threatened to send troops in (she said it was all over the news then) but in fact the only fighting my dad witnessed was the "Battle of Baker's Bar", a bar fight between British and American soldiers ignited when an American soldier made a disparaging remark about the Queen.

[aleskosir]

I was with my wife in Trieste today and, we drank a caffe latte near Palazzo Gopcevich in the city center. And I thought of your video.
My relatives lived in the Free Territory of Trieste.

[nickpapagiorgio]

Trieste is such a beautiful city and it is no surprise being in such a strategical area for both sides that issues would come about on which side would take control of the city.

[mammuchan]

Nice one Stefan👍. Trieste is probably quite an interesting city architecturally and culturally with its diverse background

[glennjelich]

Thanks for creating this video. My parents grew up in the Free Territory of Trieste, they left in 1955 aged 24 & 26 when it was returned to Italy. At that time 10% of the entire Trieste population (70+% of the young adult population) left Trieste for the UK, Australia, US, Canada and South Africa. They were not keen with having Trieste returned to Italy at that time.

[nikpist]

Nice video! Having visited Piran, Isola, Muggia and Trieste last summer it is really difficult to imagine there was a really hard border between these areas in the past. Gladly we can enjoy now this super beautiful place of Europe freely.

[hunguy]

Well done History Hustle you have done a very fair presentation. Those of you, who have a continued interest in History please note that Hungary has been successful very recently, in gaining a lease arrangement for a small part of Trieste for their Commercial port activities.

[nicholaskelly]

One of my favourite cities on this planet.
An Italian city with an Austrian flavour.
It is such a beautiful place.

[pumpkinful]

I still miss Istria, It's sad when your country lost a part of Its own, like your home shrinks a little bit.

[luxembourgishempire]

LOVE your videos Stefan! Please do another territorial evolution video when you get the time! I really enjoy them.

Anyway thanks for this video.

[angoma]

The conflict between Tito and Stalin is also an interesting topic.
Allegedly, Stalin tried to kill Tito an incredible 22 times, and some claimed that number was much higher.
These attacks stopped when Tito sent a message to Stalin: “Stop sending assassins. If you don't, I'll send one to Moscow. And I won't need others. "

[jernejcesar]

The city of Trieste/Trst had an Italian ethnic majority in the city centre, Slovene majority in the suburbs, while the countryside was almost entirely Slovene. As it was ruled by Austria, there were also German speakers, in addition to many immigrants from other parts of Austria-Hungary. My great-grandfather was a native Slovene speaker from a German family, and many Triestines could speak all 3 languages. Slovenes were subjected to Black Shirt terror and Italianisation under Mussolini - Slovene languages was banned, teachers would beat children speaking Slovene or spit in their mouth, many were imprisoned, and many Slovenes fled to Yugoslavia or migrated to USA or South America. The fascists further spammed the area with ethnic Italian settlers from other parts of Italy who were often ideologically charged. 23 years of systemic oppression created resentment, and that is why the situation right after WW2 was so tense. Nonetheless, there has always been a segment of Italians who opposed the fascists and supported their Slovene neighbours. Neo-fascists aside, Slovenes and Italians now mostly get along and ethnic minorities on both sides of the border have their rights guaranteed.

[jamesbodnarchuk]

Very interesting! My Baba & Gedo were ethnic Ukrainians but their immigration passports stated their place of origin Austria Hungary. The borders & rulers changed many times during that period. 1900-1918.❤️🇷🇼🇨🇦

[tommasotenze]

A sad and complicated story. The brother of my grandpa demonstrated for the Italy's return of Trieste, interesting video!

[DavidJones-ocup]

Great video. I like the history of the Istrian peninsula. Never been to Trieste unfortunately, but I have been to Umag. Wonderful city. Thanks again for your great videos.

[marcoskehl]

What a beautiful landscapes in these videos!
Dank je! Obrigado! 🇧🇷

[gibraltersteamboatco]

Excellent work. Love the series.BZ
US Foreign Aid Program for Trieste, $20, 000, 000 through June 1949 just to stabilize their zone.

[TheDinoFeed]

Fascinating stuff! Keep up the good work! (Nice to see another Dutchie making content)

[EneaG]

As a 18 Triestino, i loved this video. There are still some people that don't recognize Italy as their state and don't adhere to its rules, claiming TLT (Territorio libero di Trieste, Free Territory of Trieste) as their state. Of course it's not too big, but it's a thing