Croatian-Hungarian Agreement of 1868

a document that defined the status of Croatia and Slavonia in the Kingdom of Hungary, itself part of Austria-Hungary. The agreement was drawn up between February and July 1868 by delegations of the Hungarian Parliament and the Croatian-Slavonian Sabor, which was dominated by the Unionists, large landowners who advocated an alliance with the Hungarian aristocracy. The agreement was confirmed by Emperor Francis Joseph on Nov. 12, 1868.

Based on the principle that the Kingdom of Hungary was indivisible, the agreement permitted the Hungarian landlord-capitalist oligarchy to rule over Croatia and Slavonia under the guise of a parliamentary government. Croatia and Slavonia sent 29 deputies, chosen from among the members of the Sabor, to the lower house of the Hungarian Parliament (the number was raised to 40 in 1880) and two deputies to the house of magnates. Five of these deputies were included in the Hungarian Delegation, which met periodically to discuss problems affecting the Austro-Hungarian Empire as a whole. Under the agreement, Croatia and Slavonia retained their autonomy in matters of internal self-government, justice, education, and religion. Financial and economic affairs were managed by the Hungarian government. Laws passed by the Sabor took effect after they were confirmed by the king of Hungary. Croatian was recognized as the official language in Croatia and Slavonia. Authority was vested in the Sabor and a local government headed by a ban appointed by the king.

The Croatian people’s opposition to the agreement manifested itself in the uprising at Rakovica in 1871 and in large-scale disturbances in 1883. Although the agreement granted only limited rights to Croatia and Slavonia, the Hapsburg authorities repeatedly violated it while it was in effect (1868–1918).