Josip Broz Tito (born on May 7, 1892 in Kumrovec, Croatia) was the seventh child of a poor family. His father was Croatian, and his mother was Slovenian.
Tito's early years were marked by poverty. In his youth, he worked various jobs in Austria and Bohemia, participating in union activities and joining the Croatian Social Democratic Party. He was conscripted into the 25th regiment in Zagreb for military service. When World War I began, he was sent to Serbia. He was arrested and imprisoned for propagating anti-war sentiments. Upon his release in 1915, he returned to the war on the Carpathian front. He was awarded a bravery medal for his achievements. Tito became a prisoner of war in Russia and there, he developed an admiration for Turks. He fought in the battles of the Bolsheviks in Russia from 1917 to 1920. In 1920, he returned to Yugoslavia and became one of the founders of the Yugoslav Communist Party.
Due to his political activities within the Communist Party, Tito was arrested several times. In 1937, he left his country and was sent on missions to various parts of Europe. In 1936, he organized the passage of the International Brigades to Spain. For his efforts, he was appointed General Secretary of the Yugoslav Communist Party. With the outbreak of World War II, he established the Liberation Congress Committee. He initiated guerrilla warfare against the occupying forces and their collaborators. He earned the nickname "Tito" as he often said, "Tito, you do this," when assigning tasks and working with his associates. Marshal Tito became famous under this alias.
When German Nazi forces attacked Yugoslavia, Tito initiated a resistance movement alongside the communist front in his country. He organized the diverse ethnic and religious groups, forming the Partisan resistance group. The Partisans successfully repelled the Germans in 1943, and the provisional government was established that same year, determining Yugoslavia's structure. In 1945, Tito officially transformed the country's governance from a monarchy to a federal republic.
Despite being a socialist and implementing policies in line with Russia, Tito managed to keep Yugoslavia free from the dependency on any external power. He also became the first socialist leader to establish warm relations with Western countries, particularly the USA. On January 13, 1953, Tito was elected as the President of Yugoslavia, and on May 16, 1974, he received the title of lifelong President. He held this position until his death in 1980.
After Tito's passing in May 1980, Yugoslavia began to unravel, leading to the dissolution of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in 1992.
Tito declared Yugoslavia to be a federal society consisting of equal peoples. He successfully maintained unity among the various ethnic and religious groups through his charismatic leadership and non-aggressive approach. Serbian nationalists and Chetniks still harbor resentment towards him due to his tolerant stance. His death led to increased violence and intolerance, ultimately culminating in the dissolution of Yugoslavia.
Tito's Confession:
In his final days, Tito, who had dedicated his life to communism and socialism, made a profound confession. Salih Gökkaya, who had once been the head of the Turkish communist student organization and later converted to Islam, visited Tito as an honored guest in Belgrade. Seeing Tito in his frail state, Salih tried to console him, saying, "Sir, do not be afraid of death. Perhaps you will physically leave us, but your incredible contributions will live on in our hearts."
In response, Tito, with great remorse, made this extraordinary confession: "Comrade, I am dying. I cannot convey how terrifying death truly is. Imagine ceasing to exist, merging with the earth, and never returning... This terrifies me. To part from our comrades, our loved ones, from our titles and positions, to not witness the world's beauty together – isn't it a dreadful thing? Can't you understand?"
He continued, "Let me make an open-hearted confession. After I die, if I am to turn into soil, what value does my struggle hold? They say I will be buried in the hearts of my comrades, that I will not be forgotten, that I will be applauded. What good is it? Will the applause of those who praise me, appease the snakes and worms that will devour my body in the grave? Where is this going? Marx, Engels, Lenin cannot explain this, can they?"
"I must confess this: I believe in God, in the Prophet, and in the afterlife. Atheism is not the solution. Think about it – this magnificent universe must have a creator, a legislator for such an awe-inspiring system. After death, those who wronged the oppressed must face a reckoning. They depart without receiving their due, without facing consequences. There must be a place where their cries are heard, a place where their wrongs are answered. Otherwise, how will people find solace? There must be an explanation – an explanation of death and what comes after. Marx, Engels, Lenin cannot provide it."
In conclusion, he said, "For some reason, we cannot grasp the full weight of death until it stands at our door. Perhaps these dazzling positions prevent us from doing so. I believe this, comrades. Whatever you may say, I hold this view."
(Marshal Tito, May 4, 1980, Ljubljana, Slovenia)
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