New Books Network Christopher Millington, "Murder in Marseille: Right-Wing Terrorism in 1930s Europe" (Manchester UP, 2025)
Sep 16, 2025
Christopher Millington, a Reader in modern European history at Manchester Metropolitan University, delves into the assassination of King Alexander I of Yugoslavia in 1934 by Croatian ultranationalists, the Ustashe. He explores the roots of right-wing terrorism, revealing how sociopolitical climates fuel extremist ideologies. Millington discusses motivations behind terrorism, highlighting the backgrounds of assassins and the chaotic political aftermath. He draws compelling connections between historical and contemporary terrorism, raising important questions about ongoing radicalization and violence.
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Centralization Fueled Deadly Resentment
- King Alexander sought to erase ethnic differences via forced Yugoslavism and a 1929 dictatorship.
- His centralizing, Serb-dominated rule fuelled minority resentment and plots for his removal.
Ustasha: Evolving Ultra-Nationalists
- The Ustasha combined ultra-nationalist eliminationism with some fascist elements but evolved over time.
- Millington prefers 'extreme right-wing ultra-nationalists' to capture their early focus on Croatian independence.
Training Camps On The Hungarian Border
- The Ustasha ran training camps in Hungary and Italy, teaching bomb making and small arms.
- Trainees practised on cardboard cutouts of Alexander and were inducted into Pavlich's personality cult.
