Ante Pavelić was born on July 14, 1889, in the small Croatian village of Bradina. He grew up in a nationalist Croatian family that instilled in him a deep sense of pride in his heritage. Pavelić studied law at the University of Zagreb, where he became involved in student politics and joined various nationalist organizations.
In 1929, Pavelić founded the Ustaše, a far-right Croatian nationalist organization aimed at achieving Croatian independence from Yugoslavia. The Ustaše quickly gained a following among disgruntled Croatian nationalists and saw Pavelić rise to prominence as a charismatic and outspoken leader.
During World War II, Pavelić and the Ustaše collaborated with Nazi Germany and fascist Italy to create the Independent State of Croatia, a puppet state established in 1941. Pavelić was appointed as the leader of the state and ruled as a dictator until 1945. His regime was characterized by extreme violence and brutality, as he oversaw the persecution and extermination of various ethnic groups, including Serbs, Jews, and Roma.
In 1922, Pavelić married Maria Lovrenčević, with whom he had three children. Despite his brutal and dictatorial rule, Pavelić was known to be a loving and devoted husband and father.
After the defeat of Nazi Germany and its allies in World War II, Pavelić fled to Argentina, where he found sanctuary under the protection of Juan Domingo Perón. He lived out the remainder of his days in exile, passing away on December 28, 1959.
Despite the controversies surrounding his legacy, there is no denying the significant impact that Ante Pavelić had on Croatian history and politics. His role in the establishment of the Independent State of Croatia and his brutal dictatorship have left a lasting legacy that continues to shape the political landscape of Croatia.
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