| |
| 4. Montenegro |
| |
| With a population of approximately 120,000 people, Montenegro was divided into 36 tribes living in 240 villages. The real power in the nation was concentrated in the hands of the leaders of these tribes, who alone could collect taxes and raise armies. United action, possible only when fighting external enemies, contributed to the continued primitive conditions and poverty in the country. Montenegro was unable to support its population; by 1912 a third or more of Montenegro's male, working-age population were forced to seek foreign seasonal jobs or emigrate permanently. | 1 |
| |
| 1782–1830 |
| |
| PETER I, vladika (prince-bishop). He was a regular ally of Russia in the wars against the Ottomans. Indeed, Montenegro was a virtual Russian protectorate, relying upon Russian subsidies to replace income through taxation. | 2 |
| |
| 1799 |
| |
| Selim III recognized the complete independence of Montenegro. | 3 |
| |
| 1830–51 |
| |
| PETER II, author in 1845 of The Garland of the Mountains and national poet of the southern Slavs. The last years of his reign were disrupted by revolts in the Brda region and by food riots. | 4 |
| |
| 1831 |
| |
| In an effort to increase unity, Peter created a senate of 12 members. | 5 |
| |
| 1833 |
| |
| The first primary school was opened. | 6 |
| |
| 1851–60 |
| |
| DANILO I. He abolished the office of prince-bishop and established himself as a secular ruler. His efforts to reform and modernize the state led to opposition, which ended in Danilo's murder (Aug. 12, 1860). | 7 |
| |
| 1852–53 |
| |
| One of the numerous clashes between the Montenegrins and the Ottomans threatened to lead to disaster for the former when Omar Pasha invaded the little state. The Ottomans were obliged to withdraw (Feb. 1853) under threats from Austria (Leiningen mission). A subsequent revolt (1857) and great power intervention produced a new recognition of autonomy (1862) (See 1857–62). | 8 |
| |
| 1855 |
| |
| A new law code established legal equality and the protection of private property. | 9 |
| |
| 1860–1918 |
| |
| NICHOLAS I, during his long reign, effected many military, administrative, and educational reforms and modernized the state. Montenegro definitely assumed a position among the lesser European powers. | 10 |
| |
| 1861 |
| |
| Following a revolt in Herzegovina, supported by the Montenegrins, the country was again invaded by Omar Pasha, who forced the recognition of Ottoman supremacy. | 11 |
| |
| 1876, July 2 |
| |
| War with the Ottoman Empire resulted from the great insurrection in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Despite bad conditions, Montenegro was successful. | 12 |
| |
| |
