Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Freedom from the Ottomans
A rebellion against Ottoman control broke out in Bosnia and Hercegovina (BiH) in 1875.
Both Serbs and Montenegrins joined the insurgency, Montenegrins (under Nikola) again
excelling themselves and making significant territorial gains. In the wake of the struggle
for Bosnia, the Congress of Berlin in 1878 saw Montenegro and Serbia officially achieve
independence from the Ottomans. Montenegro won control of upland territories in Nikšić,
Podgorica and Žabljak and territory around Lake Skadar and the port of Bar, effectively
tripling in size. The expansionist Austrians annexed BiH, thus stymying any further
Montenegrin expansion to the north. The Montenegrins, however, managed to take control
of the Ulcinj region of the Adriatic coast.
After 1878 Montenegro enjoyed a period of ongoing peace. Nikola's rule, however, be-
came increasingly autocratic. His most popular move during these years was marrying off
several of his daughters to European royalty. In 1910, on his 50th jubilee, he raised him-
self from the role of prince to king.
In the early years of the 20th century there were increasing calls for union with Serbia
and rising political opposition to Nikola's rule. The Serbian King Petar Karađorđević
(whose late wife was one of Nikola's daughters) was suspected of being involved in at-
tempts to overthrow King Nikola, and Montenegrin-Serbian relations reached their histor-
ical low point.
The Balkan Wars of 1912-13 saw the Montenegrins patching things up with the Serbs
to join the Greeks and Bulgarians in an effort to throw the Ottoman Turks out of Europe
once and for all. During the wars the Montenegrins gained Bijelo Polje, Berane and Plav
and in so doing bordered Serbia for the first time in over 500 years. The idea of a Serbian-
Montenegrin union gained more currency, and in the elections of 1914 many voters opted
for union. King Nikola pragmatically supported the idea on the stipulation that both the
Serbian and Montenegrin royal houses be retained.
