History of Cvetković–Maček Agreement in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: April 16, 2025

The Cvetković–Maček Agreement, reached on August 26, 1939, between Yugoslav Prime Minister Dragiša Cvetković and Vladko Maček, aimed to resolve internal divisions within the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. Its central feature was the creation of the Banovina of Croatia, an autonomous sub-state within Yugoslavia designed to encompass as many ethnic Croats as possible. This fulfilled a long-standing demand of Croat politicians dating back to the Kingdom's formation in 1918. The agreement is significant as it served as a template for the post-war constitutional framework of Federal Yugoslavia.

June 1921: Vidovdan Constitution Established 33 Administrative Districts

In June 1921, the Vidovdan Constitution established 33 administrative districts in the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes, designed to maximize the political power and representation of the ethnic Serb population.

June 1922: Electoral Law Amended

In June 1922, an amendment to the Electoral Law prescribed the use of pre-First World War population numbers, allowing Serbia to ignore its massive casualties during the war. This further maximized Serbian representation.

1922: Issue of Appeasement Towards Croatians Emerges

Starting in 1922, the Serbian elite began debating appeasement strategies for the Croatian population, which became a key aspect of the 'Croatian Question'. Discussions included territorial annexation to Serbia, while Croatian nationalists, led by Stjepan Radić, advocated for separation or a confederate model.

July 1923: Radić Flees Abroad After Insulting Speech

In July 1923, Stjepan Radić fled abroad after an arrest warrant was issued due to a speech insulting to Queen Maria.

1924: Radić Enlisted Party in the Krestintern

In 1924, Radić enlisted his party, the HRSS, in the Krestintern in the Soviet Union, despite King Alexander's support for the Russian Whites against the Bolsheviks. This action deeply offended the Serbian political establishment.

July 1925: Alliance between Radić's HSS and Pašić's Radical Party

On 18 July 1925, a brief alliance was formed between Radić's HSS and Pašić's Radical Party, which led nowhere due to mutual and public contempt.

April 1926: HSS Broke Ranks with the Radicals

In early April 1926, the HSS broke ranks with the Radicals, ending a brief alliance due to ongoing mutual contempt.

August 1928: Maček became the leader of the Croatian Peasant Party

On 13 August 1928, Vladko Maček became the leader of the Croatian Peasant Party (HSS) following Radić's death. He shifted the party's focus away from rural peasant agrarianism towards bourgeois political circles.

1928: Stjepan Radić was shot

In 1928, Stjepan Radić was shot in parliament by Serb deputy Puniša Račić, dying two months later. Radić became a martyr for the anti-Vidovdan cause, shattering remaining Croat faith in the constitution.

1931: Rejection of 1931 Constitution

In 1931, even liberal Serbian circles, where the 1931 Constitution was unpopular, rejected the Cvetković–Maček Agreement. The outrage was due to Croatians legitimizing the authoritarian system and the 1931 Constitution through their cooperation with the government.

1931: 1931 Yugoslav Constitution (September Constitution)

In 1931, the Vidovdan Constitution was replaced with the 1931 Yugoslav Constitution, also known as September Constitution, and the country officially became the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. The 33 administrative districts of the Vidovdan Constitution were replaced with nine banovinas.

1931: September Constitution Established

The September Constitution of 1931 was established, leading to the formation of the 'United Opposition' which aimed to challenge the biased political system.

July 1932: Maček declined leading the Yugoslav government

In July 1932, Maček was offered the possibility of leading the Yugoslav government as prime minister, but he declined the offer.

December 1938: United Opposition Secured 45% of the vote

In December 1938, the United Opposition, including the HSS, secured 45% of the vote, further undermining the authority of Prime Minister Stojadinović.

February 1939: Cvetković Replaced Stojadinović

In February 1939, Stojadinović was replaced with Cvetković as Prime Minister, in part due to the success of the United Opposition in the December 1938 elections.

February 1939: Stojadinović's Government Fell

In early February 1939, Milan Stojadinović's government fell due to loss of cabinet faith. Dragiša Cvetković replaced him as prime minister on February 5.

August 1939: Politics

On 27 August 1939, the Politics was written about Sporazum Cvetković—Maček.

August 1939: Negotiations Produce the Sporazum

Throughout August 1939, negotiations between Cvetković and Maček produced the Sporazum, which was finalized on August 20 and ratified on August 26. This agreement aimed to increase Croatian autonomy.

August 26, 1939: Cvetković–Maček Agreement settled

On August 26, 1939, the Cvetković–Maček Agreement was settled by Yugoslav prime minister Dragiša Cvetković and Croat politician Vladko Maček. This agreement established the Banovina of Croatia within Yugoslavia, aiming to include as many ethnic Croats as possible and creating an autonomous Croatian sub-state.

1940: Serbian Cultural Club Proposal

In mid-1940, the Serbian Cultural Club, led by Slobodan Jovanović, proposed a plan to include Bosnia, Montenegro, and Macedonia into a banovina of Serb countries. This proposal reached the planning stages, but was never realized due to increasing pressure from the Second World War.

March 1941: Yugoslav Coup d'état

In March 1941, the Yugoslav coup d'état took place, immediately preceding the German Invasion of Yugoslavia. At this time, Dragiša Cvetković was the prime minister.

April 1941: German Invasion

In April 1941, the German Invasion of Yugoslavia prevented the political realization of the Cvetković–Maček Agreement, as the terms of the treaty remained largely unfulfilled due to the outbreak of the Second World War.