Principality of Montenegro
Encyclopedia
The Principality of Montenegro was a former realm in Southeastern Europe. It existed from 13 March 1852 to 28 August 1910. It was then proclaimed a kingdom
by Knjaz Nikola
, who then became king.
The capital of the Principality was at Cetinje
and used the Montenegrin Perper
as its currency from 1906. The area of the principality roughly consisted of the central area of modern Montenegro
. It was a Constitutional Monarchy
but de-facto absolutist.
, when Knjaz Danilo, then known as Vladika Danilo II, decided to overthrow his ecclesiastical position of the Vladika and get married, which, after centuries of theocratic rule, turned Montenegro into a secular principality.
After the assassination of Knjaz Danilo on 13 August 1860, Knjaz Nikola
, the nephew of Knjaz Danilo, became the next ruler of Montenegro.
On 28 August 1910, it was proclaimed a kingdom
by Knjaz Nikola
, who then became king.
, elder brother of Knjaz Danilo
, led a strong army of 7,500 and won a crucial battle against the Turks (army of between 7,000 to 13,000) at Grahovac on 1 May 1858. The Turkish
forces were routed. A considerable arsenal of war trophies were left in Montenegrin hands, to come in handy again in the final wars of independence in 1862 and 1875-1878.
This major victory had had even more diplomatic significance. The glory of Montenegrin
weapons was soon immortalized in the songs and literature of all the South Slavs, in particular the Serbs in Vojvodina, then part of Austria-Hungary
. This Montenegrin victory forced the Great Powers to officially demarcate the borders between Montenegro
and Ottoman Turkey
, de facto recognizing Montenegro's centuries-long independence. Montenegro
gained Grahovo, Rudine
, Nikšić's Župa, more than half of Drobnjaci
, Tušina
, Uskoci, Lipovo
, Upper Vasojevići
, and part of Kuči
and Dodoši.
, as an inspiration for his own General Law of the Land from 1855 (Zakonik Danila Prvog). Danilo's Code was based on the Montenegrin traditions and customs and it is considered to be the first national constitution in Montenegrin history
. It also stated rules, protected privacy and banned warring on the Austrian Coast (Bay of Kotor
). It also stated: "Although there is no other nationality in this land except Serb nationality and no other religion except Eastern Orthodoxy, each foreigner and each person of different faith can live here and enjoy the same freedom and the same domestic right as Montenegrin or Highlander."
estimated in 1882 that the Principality had 160,000 inhabitants, although a more usual estimate is that it was around 230,000 inhabitants.
By literacy:
The supermajority being Eastern Orthodox.
The 1909 official census was undertaken by the authorities of the Principality. Ethnicity was decided according to the mother tongue, the official language
, then being the Serbian language
:
Total: 317,856 inhabitants.
By language:
By religion:
The total population was overestimated for political reasons. It was at about 220,000 inhabitants.
Kingdom of Montenegro
The Kingdom of Montenegro was a monarchy in southeastern Europe during the tumultuous years on the Balkan Peninsula leading up to and during World War I. Legally it was a constitutional monarchy, but absolutist in practice...
by Knjaz Nikola
Nicholas I of Montenegro
Nikola I Mirkov Petrović-Njegoš was the only king of Montenegro, reigning as king from 1910 to 1918 and as prince from 1860 to 1910. He was also a poet, notably penning "Onamo, 'namo!", a popular song from Montenegro.-Early life:Nikola was born in the village of Njeguši, the ancient home of the...
, who then became king.
The capital of the Principality was at Cetinje
Cetinje
Cetinje , Цетиње / Cetinje , Italian: Cettigne, Greek: Κετίγνη, Ketígni) is a town and Old Royal Capital of Montenegro. It is also a historical and the secondary capital of Montenegro , with the official residence of the President of Montenegro...
and used the Montenegrin Perper
Montenegrin Perper
The perper was the currency of Montenegro between 1906 and 1918. The name was adopted in accordance to the earlier Serbian perper, the currency of the Serbian Empire, which the Princedom, later Kingdom of Montenegro, consider itself a successor...
as its currency from 1906. The area of the principality roughly consisted of the central area of modern Montenegro
Montenegro
Montenegro Montenegrin: Crna Gora Црна Гора , meaning "Black Mountain") is a country located in Southeastern Europe. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea to the south-west and is bordered by Croatia to the west, Bosnia and Herzegovina to the northwest, Serbia to the northeast and Albania to the...
. It was a Constitutional Monarchy
Constitutional monarchy
Constitutional monarchy is a form of government in which a monarch acts as head of state within the parameters of a constitution, whether it be a written, uncodified or blended constitution...
but de-facto absolutist.
History
The Principality was formed on 13 March 1852 by Knjaz Danilo I Petrović-NjegošKnjaz Danilo
Prince Danilo I Petrović-Njegoš , , , son of Stiepo/Sava Petrović-Njegoš and wife Angelika Radamovich.Prince Danilo I, was the prince-bishop and later prince of Montenegro from 1851 to 1860...
, when Knjaz Danilo, then known as Vladika Danilo II, decided to overthrow his ecclesiastical position of the Vladika and get married, which, after centuries of theocratic rule, turned Montenegro into a secular principality.
After the assassination of Knjaz Danilo on 13 August 1860, Knjaz Nikola
Nicholas I of Montenegro
Nikola I Mirkov Petrović-Njegoš was the only king of Montenegro, reigning as king from 1910 to 1918 and as prince from 1860 to 1910. He was also a poet, notably penning "Onamo, 'namo!", a popular song from Montenegro.-Early life:Nikola was born in the village of Njeguši, the ancient home of the...
, the nephew of Knjaz Danilo, became the next ruler of Montenegro.
On 28 August 1910, it was proclaimed a kingdom
Kingdom of Montenegro
The Kingdom of Montenegro was a monarchy in southeastern Europe during the tumultuous years on the Balkan Peninsula leading up to and during World War I. Legally it was a constitutional monarchy, but absolutist in practice...
by Knjaz Nikola
Nicholas I of Montenegro
Nikola I Mirkov Petrović-Njegoš was the only king of Montenegro, reigning as king from 1910 to 1918 and as prince from 1860 to 1910. He was also a poet, notably penning "Onamo, 'namo!", a popular song from Montenegro.-Early life:Nikola was born in the village of Njeguši, the ancient home of the...
, who then became king.
Battle of Grahovac
Grand Duke Mirko PetrovićMirko Petrovic Njegoš
Mirko Petrović-Njegoš also Vojvoda Mirko , Grand Duke of Grahovo was a Montenegrin soldier, diplomat and poet of the House of Petrović-Njegoš. He was the older brother of Prince Danilo I and father of King Nikola, son of Stiepo/Sava Petrović-Njegoš and wife Angelika Radamovich...
, elder brother of Knjaz Danilo
Knjaz Danilo
Prince Danilo I Petrović-Njegoš , , , son of Stiepo/Sava Petrović-Njegoš and wife Angelika Radamovich.Prince Danilo I, was the prince-bishop and later prince of Montenegro from 1851 to 1860...
, led a strong army of 7,500 and won a crucial battle against the Turks (army of between 7,000 to 13,000) at Grahovac on 1 May 1858. The Turkish
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
forces were routed. A considerable arsenal of war trophies were left in Montenegrin hands, to come in handy again in the final wars of independence in 1862 and 1875-1878.
This major victory had had even more diplomatic significance. The glory of Montenegrin
Montenegro
Montenegro Montenegrin: Crna Gora Црна Гора , meaning "Black Mountain") is a country located in Southeastern Europe. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea to the south-west and is bordered by Croatia to the west, Bosnia and Herzegovina to the northwest, Serbia to the northeast and Albania to the...
weapons was soon immortalized in the songs and literature of all the South Slavs, in particular the Serbs in Vojvodina, then part of Austria-Hungary
Austria-Hungary
Austria-Hungary , more formally known as the Kingdoms and Lands Represented in the Imperial Council and the Lands of the Holy Hungarian Crown of Saint Stephen, was a constitutional monarchic union between the crowns of the Austrian Empire and the Kingdom of Hungary in...
. This Montenegrin victory forced the Great Powers to officially demarcate the borders between Montenegro
Montenegro
Montenegro Montenegrin: Crna Gora Црна Гора , meaning "Black Mountain") is a country located in Southeastern Europe. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea to the south-west and is bordered by Croatia to the west, Bosnia and Herzegovina to the northwest, Serbia to the northeast and Albania to the...
and Ottoman Turkey
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
, de facto recognizing Montenegro's centuries-long independence. Montenegro
Montenegro
Montenegro Montenegrin: Crna Gora Црна Гора , meaning "Black Mountain") is a country located in Southeastern Europe. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea to the south-west and is bordered by Croatia to the west, Bosnia and Herzegovina to the northwest, Serbia to the northeast and Albania to the...
gained Grahovo, Rudine
Rudine
Rudine is a village in the municipality of Čajetina, western Serbia. According to the 2002 census, the village has a population of 159 people.-References:...
, Nikšić's Župa, more than half of Drobnjaci
Drobnjaci
Drobnjaci is an Old Herzegovinian clan and region in northern Montenegro . Its unofficial centre is in Boan/Šavnik. The Drobnjaci families are predominantly Serb Orthodox, with a majority declaring as Serbs, the rest as Montenegrins...
, Tušina
Tušina
Tušina is one of the five rivers in the municipality of Šavnik, Montenegro. It is made of many streams that meet under Somina and Krnja Jela mountains. It is 10 km long....
, Uskoci, Lipovo
Lipovo
Lipovo is a village in Shchyokinsky District of Tula Oblast, Russia....
, Upper Vasojevići
Vasojevici
The Vasojevići tribe is the largest Serb clan in Montenegro. It occupies the area between Vjetarnih Lijeva Rijeka in the South and Bihor under Bijelo Polje in the North, Mateševo in the West to Plav in the East. The clan is one of seven "highland clans"...
, and part of Kuči
KUCI
KUCI is a college radio station broadcasting a Variety format. Licensed to Irvine, California, USA, the station serves the Orange County area...
and Dodoši.
Constitution of 1855
Knjaz Danilo used the Law of Petar I Petrović-NjegošPetar I Petrovic-Njegoš
Petar I Petrović Njegoš was the ruler of Montenegro, the Cetinje Episcop of the Serbian Orthodox Church and Exarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church throne. He was the most popular spiritual and military leader from the Petrović dynasty...
, as an inspiration for his own General Law of the Land from 1855 (Zakonik Danila Prvog). Danilo's Code was based on the Montenegrin traditions and customs and it is considered to be the first national constitution in Montenegrin history
History of Montenegro
The History of Montenegro begins in the early Middle Ages, into the former Roman province of Dalmatia that forms present-day Montenegro.-Illyria:...
. It also stated rules, protected privacy and banned warring on the Austrian Coast (Bay of Kotor
Bay of Kotor
The Bay of Kotor in south-western Montenegro is a winding bay on the Adriatic Sea. The bay, sometimes called Europe's southernmost fjord, is in fact a submerged river canyon of the disintegrated Bokelj River which used to run from the high mountain plateaus of Mount Orjen...
). It also stated: "Although there is no other nationality in this land except Serb nationality and no other religion except Eastern Orthodoxy, each foreigner and each person of different faith can live here and enjoy the same freedom and the same domestic right as Montenegrin or Highlander."
1882
SchwartzSchwartz
*Abe Schwartz , musician*Alan Schwartz , businessperson* Albert Schwartz, American swimmer*Allyson Schwartz *Alvin Schwartz , multiple people*Andrea Schwartz , Canadian swimmer...
estimated in 1882 that the Principality had 160,000 inhabitants, although a more usual estimate is that it was around 230,000 inhabitants.
1900
In 1900, according to international sources, the Principality of Montenegro had 311,564 inhabitants. By religion:- 293,527 Eastern Orthodox (94.21%)
- 12,493 Muslims (4.01%)
- 5,544 Roman Catholic (1.78%)
By literacy:
- 77% illiterate
- 71,528 (23%) literate
1907
In 1907, it had been estimated that there were around 282,000 inhabitants in Montenegro.The supermajority being Eastern Orthodox.
1909
Official language
An official language is a language that is given a special legal status in a particular country, state, or other jurisdiction. Typically a nation's official language will be the one used in that nation's courts, parliament and administration. However, official status can also be used to give a...
, then being the Serbian language
Serbian language
Serbian is a form of Serbo-Croatian, a South Slavic language, spoken by Serbs in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Croatia and neighbouring countries....
:
Total: 317,856 inhabitants.
By language:
- SerbianSerbian languageSerbian is a form of Serbo-Croatian, a South Slavic language, spoken by Serbs in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Croatia and neighbouring countries....
: about 95% - others mostly AlbaniansAlbaniansAlbanians are a nation and ethnic group native to Albania and neighbouring countries. They speak the Albanian language. More than half of all Albanians live in Albania and Kosovo...
By religion:
- Orthodox ChristiansEastern Orthodox ChurchThe Orthodox Church, officially called the Orthodox Catholic Church and commonly referred to as the Eastern Orthodox Church, is the second largest Christian denomination in the world, with an estimated 300 million adherents mainly in the countries of Belarus, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Georgia, Greece,...
: 94.38% - others (mostly Muslims)
The total population was overestimated for political reasons. It was at about 220,000 inhabitants.
Rulers
- Knjaz Danilo I Petrović-NjegošKnjaz DaniloPrince Danilo I Petrović-Njegoš , , , son of Stiepo/Sava Petrović-Njegoš and wife Angelika Radamovich.Prince Danilo I, was the prince-bishop and later prince of Montenegro from 1851 to 1860...
(1852 - 13 August 1860) - Knjaz Nikola I Petrović-NjegošNicholas I of MontenegroNikola I Mirkov Petrović-Njegoš was the only king of Montenegro, reigning as king from 1910 to 1918 and as prince from 1860 to 1910. He was also a poet, notably penning "Onamo, 'namo!", a popular song from Montenegro.-Early life:Nikola was born in the village of Njeguši, the ancient home of the...
(13 August 1860 - 28 August 1910).
