Jugoslávsko-italská hranice po Rapallské smlouvě
The Yugoslav-Italian Border after the Treaty of Rapallo

Summary/Abstract: In the turbulent aftermath of the First World War, the border dispute between Italy and the newly established Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes became one of the most contentious issues in the reshaping of Central and Southeastern Europe. This article examines the political negotiations that culminated in the Rapallo Treaty of 1920, highlighting the competing territorial ambitions, diplomatic tensions, and strategic interests that complicated relations between the two states. Following the collapse of Austria-Hungary, both sides sought to secure control over ethnically mixed and economically valuable territories along the Adriatic coast, particularly Istria, Dalmatia, and the city of Rijeka (Fiume). The study traces the influence of international diplomacy, including the role of the Paris Peace Conference and the proposals advanced by U.S. President Woodrow Wilson. Special attention is devoted to the occupation of Fiume by Gabriele D’Annunzio and its impact on Italo-Yugoslav relations. The Rapallo Treaty ultimately established a compromise that granted Italy several disputed territories while recognizing the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes as an important regional actor. Although the agreement temporarily eased bilateral tensions and promoted political and economic cooperation, it also left many Slovene and Croat populations under Italian rule, creating sources of future discontent. The article argues that the settlement represented both a diplomatic success and a fragile solution to unresolved national aspirations. Moreover, subsequent developments in Fascist Italy demonstrated that questions concerning the Adriatic border remained far from settled.

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