Gavrilo Princip lives to old age

Suppose Gavrilo Princip lives into old age, perhaps even into the 1990s. How would he be treated throughout his life? And how would he be looked at in the late 20th century?
 
Suppose Gavrilo Princip lives into old age, perhaps even into the 1990s. How would he be treated throughout his life? And how would he be looked at in the late 20th century?

He'd have a very interesting career in Yugoslavia in the 1920s and 1930s. Would he get exiled by the communists?
 
Suppose Gavrilo Princip lives into old age, perhaps even into the 1990s. How would he be treated throughout his life? And how would he be looked at in the late 20th century?
OTL one of his co-conspirators lived shortly before the breakup of Communist Yugoslavia. He had been a radical Serbian Nationalist scholar and professor who advocated genocide against the Albaniens and after WW2 adapted to the Communist ideology in Tito's Yugoslavia. He was minister under Tito's goverment and advocated the expelling of ethnic Germans and Hungaruans. In His later years during the 80es he denounced his Nationalist views. He died in 1990 at 93. His name was Vaso Čubrilović.
 
Last edited:
Gavrilo would become a minor "war hero" type figure upon his release and return to Yugoslavia. He'd hang around official celebrations and anniversaries, get a cushy office job and/or state pension for himself and his family; maybe receive a minor decoration.

If he does get into politics, he'd presumably be co-opted by one of the two major Serbian parties. Though he may also join one of the weaker socialist organizations. He probably wouldn't align with the interwar Communist party, due to its shrieking against the post-war settlement, but it's not completely impossible.

His treatment by the Communists would depend on his actions before and during WW2. If he joins the Partisan resistance, everything's cool; if not, he may be exiled or placed under permanent house arrest.

The 1990s? That sounds way too ambitious...with everything he had to endure in prison, it'd be a minor miracle if Princip lives into the 1960s.
 
For me, the question is more: Can Gavrilo Princip rule a nation, whether under communism (Principism anyone?) or fascism or any other system?

Nah, too much of an idealistic dweeb.

In the incredibly unlikely event that he does take power, it would be some kind of hybrid socialism or lightweight communism.
 
OTL one of his co-conspirators lived shortly before the breakup of Communist Yugoslavia. He had been a radical Serbian Nationalist who advocated genocide against the Albaniens and after WW2 adapted to the Communist ideology in Tito's Yugoslavia.

Found him! It was Vaso Čubrilović, who died in 1990.
 
The 1990s? That sounds way too ambitious...with everything he had to endure in prison, it'd be a minor miracle if Princip lives into the 1960s.

Not exactly, assuming he was in prison for only a few years, then was well-treated and lived comfortably, and got good medical care, it's doable. Frank Buckles, the last living American World War I veteran, was working in the Philippines when Japan invaded, and ended up spending three years imprisoned in harsh conditions by the Japanese, during which he endured conditions of near-starvation, and weighed less than 100 pounds when he was freed. Despite this, he ended up living to 110.
 
IF by some miracle he ends up dying in 1992 i expect Milosovich to grant him a state funeral live on TV.

He'd also have plenty of journalists seeking him out until the moment he dies looking for an interview, after he retires from politics/whatever he does.
 
Is there any information about his opinion about WW1? Perhaps he might try to be far from politics and nationalism. All people even aren't so intrested about politics that they would begin political career. Most plausible thing is that he try live as private citizen. For me it is bit much to live to 1990. 1980 might be more realistic. Him had quiet bad health through his life.
 
Not exactly, assuming he was in prison for only a few years, then was well-treated and lived comfortably, and got good medical care, it's doable. Frank Buckles, the last living American World War I veteran, was working in the Philippines when Japan invaded, and ended up spending three years imprisoned in harsh conditions by the Japanese, during which he endured conditions of near-starvation, and weighed less than 100 pounds when he was freed. Despite this, he ended up living to 110.

Hm, duly noted. But I still think it's not very likely.
 
Is there any information about his opinion about WW1? Perhaps he might try to be far from politics and nationalism.

He believed that the war was going to happen anyway, with or without his actions. In general, he was pretty dejected about it; and became even more dejected when the CP occupied Serbia and Montenegro. However, he still had hope that Austria-Hungary is doomed and that the Central Powers can be defeated. He also seemed to be vaguely hoping for a social revolution of some kind.

I agree that there's a distinct possibility he'd retire to a quite life and stay well away from any political arena.
 
I agree that there's a distinct possibility he'd retire to a quite life and stay well away from any political arena.

True. He did enough politics for one life with that bullet, he might as well resist all the calls to enter politics in the Yugoslavia he helped create.
 
Might he quietly emigrate to the US? The Americans might not be too keen on him, but I presume if he agrees to shut up, he might live out his days in the US.
 
In real life he had no chance of living more than a few years because of tuberculosis. Prior to his death, his skeleton was wrecked by the disease. To have him live longer in decent shape there'd have to be a cure; dunno if there was then or now.
 
Top