Franjo Tuđman

Franjo Tuđman was a Croatian historian and politician who became Croatia's first president after gaining independence from Yugoslavia in 1991. He played a key role in leading Croatia through a difficult period of war and transition, aiming to establish sovereignty and national identity. Tuđman was a controversial figure: admired for his efforts to preserve Croatian autonomy but criticized for his nationalistic policies and policies during the Croatian War of Independence. His leadership helped shape modern Croatia, and he remains a significant, though debated, figure in the country's history.