Principality of Serbia

Quick Facts: Who was Principality of Serbia?

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Principality of Serbia

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Autonomous Balkan state that evolved into the Kingdom of Serbia.

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Origins & Early Life

The Principality of Serbia (Serbian: Књажество Србија, romanized: Knjažestvo Srbija) was an autonomous, later sovereign state in the Balkans that came into existence as a result of the Serbian Revolution. Its creation was negotiated first through an unwritten agreement between Miloš Obrenović, leader of the Second Serbian Uprising, and Ottoman official Marashli Pasha, followed by a series of decrees of the Sublime Porte in 1828–1833. Its de facto independence ensued in 1867, following the evacuation of the remaining Ottoman troops from the Belgrade Fortress and the country; its independence was recognized internationally in 1878 by the Treaty of Berlin. In 1882 the country was elevated to the status of kingdom. The Serbian revolutionary leaders, first Karađorđe and then Miloš Obrenović, succeeded in their goal of liberating Serbia from centuries-long Ottoman rule.

Career & Major Achievements

Ottoman authorities acknowledged the state by the 1830 Hatt-i Sharif, and Miloš Obrenović became the hereditary prince (knjaz) of Serbia. Serbia was de jure an autonomous province of the Ottoman Empire, its autonomy was constrained by the presence of the Ottoman army on its soil and by being forced to pay to Istanbul a yearly tribute of 2.3 million groschen, which represented about 10% of the country's budget. At first, the principality included only the territory of the former Pashaluk of Belgrade, but in 1831–1833 it expanded to the east, south, and west. In 1866 Serbia began the campaign of forging the First Balkan Alliance by signing a series of agreements with other Balkan entities in the period 1866–1868. On 18 April 1867 the Ottoman government ordered the Ottoman garrison, which since 1826 had been the last representation of Ottoman suzerainty in Serbia, withdrawn from the Belgrade fortress.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The only stipulation was that the Ottoman flag continue to fly over the fortress alongside the Serbian one. Serbia's de facto independence dates from this event. A new constitution in 1869 defined Serbia as an independent state. Serbia was further expanded to the southeast in 1878, when its independence from the Ottoman Empire won full international recognition at the Treaty of Berlin. The Principality would last until 1882 when it was raised to the level of the Kingdom of Serbia.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1828: 1828 Milestone — Its creation was negotiated first through an unwritten agreement between Miloš Obrenović, leader of the Second Serbian Uprising, and Ottoman official Marashli Pasha, followed by a series of decrees of the Sublime Porte in 1828–1833.
2. 1830: 1830 Milestone — Ottoman authorities acknowledged the state by the 1830 Hatt-i Sharif, and Miloš Obrenović became the hereditary prince (knjaz) of Serbia.
3. 1831: 1831 Milestone — At first, the principality included only the territory of the former Pashaluk of Belgrade, but in 1831–1833 it expanded to the east, south, and west.
4. 1866: 1866 Milestone — In 1866 Serbia began the campaign of forging the First Balkan Alliance by signing a series of agreements with other Balkan entities in the period 1866–1868.
5. 1867: 1867 Milestone — Its de facto independence ensued in 1867, following the evacuation of the remaining Ottoman troops from the Belgrade Fortress and the country; its independence was recognized internationally in 1878 by the Treaty of Berlin.
6. 1869: 1869 Milestone — A new constitution in 1869 defined Serbia as an independent state.
7. 1878: 1878 Milestone — Serbia was further expanded to the southeast in 1878, when its independence from the Ottoman Empire won full international recognition at the Treaty of Berlin.
8. 1882: 1882 Milestone — In 1882 the country was elevated to the status of kingdom.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Principality of Serbia

True or False: “The Principality of Serbia achieved full international recognition as an independent state in 1867 when Ottoman troops left Belgrade Fortress.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): Serbia's de facto independence began in 1867, but its full international recognition was secured later by the Treaty of Berlin in 1878.

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