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Title: Konstantin Fotić papers
Date (inclusive): 1927-1972
Collection Number: 69030
Contributing Institution: Hoover Institution Library and Archives
Language of Material: In English, French, German, and Serbo-Croatian
Physical Description:
61 manuscript boxes, 3 oversize boxes
(27.1 Linear Feet)
Abstract: Correspondence, speeches and writings, diaries, printed matter, and photographs relating to Yugoslav-American relations, political
and military conditions in Yugoslavia during World War II, postwar communism in Yugoslavia, and Yugoslav émigré politics.
Also available on microfilm (73 reels).
Creator:
Fotić, Konstantin, 1891-1959
Physical Location: Hoover Institution Library & Archives
The collection is open for research; materials must be requested in advance via our reservation system. If there are audiovisual
or digital media material in the collection, they must be reformatted before providing access.
For copyright status, please contact the Hoover Institution Library & Archives.
Acquired by the Hoover Institution Library & Archives in 1982.
[Identification of item], Konstantin Fotić papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives.
Also available on microfilm (73 reels).
Konstantin Fotic (1891-1959) was born in Šabac, Serbia. His professional career was in diplomacy, serving the Royal Yugoslav
government as minister and ambassador to the United States, 1935-1944. Fotić was the last Yugoslav ambassador to the United
States before the coalition of New Yugoslav government was formed in 1944.
As an influential political figure in the Royal Yugoslav government, Fotić's later professional career was devoted to Serbian
émigrés' call for freedom and democracy for the Serbian people in Yugoslavia. He was an active member of the Serbian émigré
community in the United States and served as the president of the Serbian Central National Committee.
Fotić was a political writer and lecturer, writing numerous articles and books expressing his views on the situation in Yugoslavia
during World War II, particularly in regard to post-war communism in Yugoslavia and Tito's regime.
Scope and Content of Collection
The papers contain office and personal correspondence, reports, writings, speeches, clippings, and printed matter documenting
the politics of the Royal Yugoslav government in exile during World War II, the state of Yugoslav-American relations, and
the Serbian and Yugoslav émigré community.
The majority of Fotić's papers consist of office and personal correspondence collected during his diplomatic career as a Royal
Yugoslav secretary and ambassador to the United States. The
Office Files are comprised of diplomatic correspondence, telegrams, reports, and clippings documenting the politics of the Royal Yugoslav
government during World War II, Yugoslav-American relations, and the role of Petar II, King of Yugoslavia. Materials also
document the part played by Allied countries in the creation of the new Yugoslavia. Fotić's exchanges of letters with Nikola
Tesla, a Yugoslav inventor in the United States, indicating the Royal Yugoslav government support of Tesla's research, are
of particular interest.
A considerable number of Fotić's writings and speeches reflect his views on the situation in Yugoslavia during World War II,
and post-war communism in Yugoslavia and Tito's regime.
The
Serbian Central National Committee (SCNO) File documents Fotić's active role in Serbian émigré organizations, and their call for freedom and democracy for the Serbian people
in Yugoslavia. Extensive correspondence within the émigré community and its organizations document issues related to the political
and economic situation in Yugoslavia under Tito's government, Serbian contributions to the Allied victory in World War II,
and the communist dominated government. Among these are open letters addressed to the U.S. president and the General Assembly
of the United Nations. The papers also include a Serbian National Federation file documenting the largest Serbian émigré organization's
political views concerning émigré defense committees, Serbian prisoners of war, and refugees.
The
Yugoslav Displaced Persons and Prisoners of War File consists of correspondence, detailed reports, lists of prisoners of war, clippings and photographs. Documents reveal the
role that SCNO and the international refugee organization played in organizing the immigration of Serbian and Yugoslav prisoners
of war to the Dominican Republic.
The
Subject File includes documents on the Serbian Orthodox Church's involvement in Serbian émigré organizations, materials describing Draža
Mihailović's capture and trial, including the Committee for Fair Trial for Draža Mihailović report, and a petition to President
Truman, as well as material on Petar II, King of Yugoslavia, documenting his finances and role in émigré politics.
The
Tatjana Fotić Materials include correspondence of his wife with friends and the Serbian and Yugoslav émigré community. The material reveals Mrs.
Fotić's professional academic work and her active role in organizing the United Yugoslav relief fund, particularly the knitting
project to provide Yugoslav prisoners of war and refugees with warm clothing.
The
Printed Matter documents political developments in Yugoslavia and Europe at the end of World War II and Yugoslav émigrés' views on post-war
Yugoslavia.
Milan Gavrilović papers, Hoover Institution Library & Archives
Božidar Purić papers, Hoover Institution Library & Archives
Žarko Rista Popović papers, Hoover Institution Library & Archives
Subjects and Indexing Terms
World War, 1939-1945 -- Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia -- History -- Axis occupation, 1941-1945
Yugoslavia -- Emigration and immigration
United States -- Foreign relations -- Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia -- Foreign relations -- United States
Diplomats -- Yugoslavia