| Green Cadres | |
|---|---|
| Leaders | No centralised leadership |
| Dates of operation | 1914–1919 |
| Motives | Desertion, shortages, addressing real or perceived social injustices |
| Active regions | Various parts of Austria-Hungary |
| Opponents |  Austria-Hungary |
The Green Cadres,[a] or sometimes referred to as; Green Brigades or Green Guards, were originally groups of Austro-Hungarian Army deserters in the First World War. They were later joined by peasants discontented with wartime requisitioning, taxation, and poverty. A substantial number of desertions to the Green Cadres occurred as early as 1914, with their numbers peaking in the summer of 1918. They were present in nearly all areas of Austria-Hungary, but particularly large numbers were found in Croatia-Slavonia, Bosnia, Western Slovakia and Moravia, as well as in Galicia. The Green Cadres had no centralised structure and relied on peasants and banditry for food and shelter. As Austria-Hungary fell apart in October 1918, violent outbreaks associated with the Green Cadres peaked. These occurrences were particularly severe in Croatia-Slavonia, Slovakia and Galicia. "Greens" were also present in large areas of the Russian Empire, particularly in present-day Ukraine, however, this page is only about the Green Cadre in the former Austro-Hungarian Monarchy.
The Green Cadres were initially portrayed as desirable partners to the national movements working to achieve independence of Slavic peoples from Austria-Hungary. However, when Czechoslovakia and the State of Slovenes, Croats and Serbs were established, the new authorities found the Green Cadres problematic because of lack of discipline and suspected Bolshevik influence. The State of Slovenes, Croats and Serbs, faced with large-scale unrest in the countryside had to resort to inviting the Royal Serbian Army to restore order. The move significantly limited options available to the newly declared state, and gave the Kingdom of Serbia considerable advantage during the process of creating Yugoslavia. In Galicia, the short-lived Republic of Tarnobrzeg was established, with the help of the Green Cadres, until intervention by the Polish Army. From October to November 1918, violence was primarily directed against government officials and administration, landowners, and merchants – especially the Jews. The Green Cadres were largely dissolved by 1919.
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