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| 1838 |
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| The sultan, supported by Russia, forced the abrogation of the constitution and the appointment of a Senate of Notables with almost complete power. | 1 |
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| 1839, June 13 |
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| Milosh abdicated, in protest against the oligarchic system. | 2 |
| Milan, son of Milosh, came to power. He died after a rule of only a few weeks. | 3 |
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| 1839–42 |
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| MICHAEL, the 17-year-old son of Milosh, became prince. His short rule was marked by constant intrigue on the part of the Karageorgevich faction (Defenders of the Constitution) who demanded the convocation of the Skupshtina. Michael was forced to flee. | 4 |
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| 1842–58 |
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| ALEXANDER KARAGEORGEVICH was elected by the Skupshtina. The strong protests of Russia forced the banishment of the popular leaders. Alexander's reign was the quietest in Serbian history, marked by a cautious foreign policy, the spread of Western influence, the growth of trade (especially with Austria), and the development of education (University of Belgrade, 1844; Academy of Sciences). Politically it was a period of factional trouble and corruption, the Senate being in complete control. | 5 |
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| 1843 |
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| The public postal system was established as the government concentrated on creating a state bureaucracy similar to Austria's. | 6 |
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| 1844 |
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| Iliya Garasanin, head of Prince Alexander's government, established the Yugoslav idea as Serbian foreign policy, stressing Slav unity. Russia forced his resignation in 1853. | 7 |
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| 1845 |
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| A regular army was created for internal security alone. | 8 |
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| 1847 |
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| The National Museum and the National Library were created. | 9 |
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| 1856 |
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| By the Treaty of Paris, Serbia was placed under the collective guaranty of the powers. | 10 |
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| 1858 |
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| The criminal justice system was reorganized. | 11 |
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| Dec. 23 |
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| Alexander was forced to abdicate by an opposition faction, supported by the Obrenovichs and by the Ottoman Empire and Russia. | 12 |
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