Bosnia and Herzegovina (Austro-Hungarian condominium)
Encyclopedia
The Austro-Hungarian condominium of Bosnia and Herzegovina was a condominium
established after the annexation
of Bosnia and Herzegovina
by Austria-Hungary
in 1908, following its occupation in 1878 under the terms of the Treaty of Berlin.
occupying force quickly subjugated initial armed resistance upon take-over in Bosnia and Herzegovina
, tensions remained in certain parts of the country (particularly Herzegovina) and a mass emigration of predominantly Muslim dissidents occurred. However, a state of relative stability was reached soon enough and Austro-Hungarian authorities were able to embark on a number of social and administrative reforms which intended to make Bosnia and Herzegovina into a "model colony
". With the aim of establishing the province as a stable political model that would help dissipate rising South Slav nationalism
, Habsburg rule did much to codify laws, to introduce new political practices, and generally to provide for modernization.
. Joint Imperial Minister of Finance and Vienna-based administrator of Bosnia Benjamin Kallay
promoted Bošnjaštvo, a policy that aimed to inspire in Bosnia's people 'a feeling that they belong to a great and powerful nation' and viewed Bosnians
as "speaking the Bosnian language
and divided into three religions with equal rights." The policy attempted to isolate Bosnia and Herzegovina from its irredentist neighbors (the Orthodox in Serbia
, Catholics in Croatia
, and the Muslims of the Ottoman Empire
) and to negate the concept of Croat and Serb nationhood that had already spread to Bosnia and Herzegovina's Catholic and Orthodox communities from neighboring Croatia and Serbia in the mid 19th century. Croats and Serbs who opposed the policy, ignored Bosnian nationhood and instead sought to claim Bosnian Muslims as their own, a move that was rejected by most Bosnian Muslims. Following the death of Kallay, the policy was abandoned and by the latter half of the 1910's nationalism was an integral factor of Bosnian politics, with national political parties corresponding to the three groups dominating elections.
The idea of a unified South Slavic state
(typically expected to be spear-headed by independent Kingdom of Serbia
) became a popular political ideology in the region at this time, including Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Austro-Hungarian government's decision to formally annex Bosnia-Herzegovina in 1908 added to a sense of urgency among these nationalists. The political tensions caused by all this culminated on June 28, 1914, when Serb nationalist youth Gavrilo Princip
assassinated the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, Archduke Franz Ferdinand
, in Sarajevo; an event that proved to be the spark that set off World War I
. Although some Bosnians died serving in the armies of the various warring states, Bosnia and Herzegovina itself managed to escape the conflict relatively unscathed.
During the Austro-Hungarian administration, the internal divisions of Bosnia and Herzegovina were kept, but their institutions modernized. Six districts formed the regional government and were maintained until 1922. The number of counties was 54.
, and the Sheikh ul-Islam
.
The occupation of Bosnia and Herzegovina led to great reforms of the Catholic Church in that country, after centuries in the Ottoman Empire
. In 1881, Vrhbosna
was elevated to an archdiocese, and the dioceses of Banja Luka
and Mostar-Duvno
were formed. Work began on the Cathedral of Jesus' Heart
in Sarajevo
in 1884 and was completed by 1889.
Condominium (international law)
In international law, a condominium is a political territory in or over which two or more sovereign powers formally agree to share equally dominium and exercise their rights jointly, without dividing it up into 'national' zones.Although a condominium has always been...
established after the annexation
Bosnian crisis
The Bosnian Crisis of 1908–1909, also known as the Annexation crisis, or the First Balkan Crisis, erupted into public view when on 6 October 1908, Austria-Hungary announced the annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Russia, the Ottoman Empire, Britain, Italy, Serbia, Montenegro, Germany and France...
of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina , sometimes called Bosnia-Herzegovina or simply Bosnia, is a country in Southern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. Bordered by Croatia to the north, west and south, Serbia to the east, and Montenegro to the southeast, Bosnia and Herzegovina is almost landlocked, except for the...
by 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...
in 1908, following its occupation in 1878 under the terms of the Treaty of Berlin.
History
Though an Austro-HungarianAustria-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...
occupying force quickly subjugated initial armed resistance upon take-over in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina , sometimes called Bosnia-Herzegovina or simply Bosnia, is a country in Southern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. Bordered by Croatia to the north, west and south, Serbia to the east, and Montenegro to the southeast, Bosnia and Herzegovina is almost landlocked, except for the...
, tensions remained in certain parts of the country (particularly Herzegovina) and a mass emigration of predominantly Muslim dissidents occurred. However, a state of relative stability was reached soon enough and Austro-Hungarian authorities were able to embark on a number of social and administrative reforms which intended to make Bosnia and Herzegovina into a "model colony
Colony
In politics and history, a colony is a territory under the immediate political control of a state. For colonies in antiquity, city-states would often found their own colonies. Some colonies were historically countries, while others were territories without definite statehood from their inception....
". With the aim of establishing the province as a stable political model that would help dissipate rising South Slav nationalism
Nationalism
Nationalism is a political ideology that involves a strong identification of a group of individuals with a political entity defined in national terms, i.e. a nation. In the 'modernist' image of the nation, it is nationalism that creates national identity. There are various definitions for what...
, Habsburg rule did much to codify laws, to introduce new political practices, and generally to provide for modernization.
Ethnic relations
The Austro-Hungarian policy advocated the ideal of a pluralist and multi-confessional Bosnian nationNation
A nation may refer to a community of people who share a common language, culture, ethnicity, descent, and/or history. In this definition, a nation has no physical borders. However, it can also refer to people who share a common territory and government irrespective of their ethnic make-up...
. Joint Imperial Minister of Finance and Vienna-based administrator of Bosnia Benjamin Kallay
Benjamin von Kállay
Béni Kállay de Nagy-Kálló or Benjamin von Kállay , Austro-Hungarian statesman, was born in Budapest. His family derived their name from their estates at Nagykálló, in Szabolcs, and claimed descent from the Balogh Semsen tribe, which colonized the counties of Borsod, Szabolcs, and Szatmár, at the...
promoted Bošnjaštvo, a policy that aimed to inspire in Bosnia's people 'a feeling that they belong to a great and powerful nation' and viewed Bosnians
Bosnians
Bosnians are people who reside in, or come from, Bosnia and Herzegovina. By the modern state definition a Bosnian can be anyone who holds citizenship of the state. This includes, but is not limited to, members of the constituent ethnic groups of Bosnia and Herzegovina: Bosniaks, Bosnian Serbs and...
as "speaking the Bosnian language
Bosnian language
Bosnian is a South Slavic language, spoken by Bosniaks. As a standardized form of the Shtokavian dialect, it is one of the three official languages of Bosnia and Herzegovina....
and divided into three religions with equal rights." The policy attempted to isolate Bosnia and Herzegovina from its irredentist neighbors (the Orthodox in Serbia
Serbia
Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
, Catholics in Croatia
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
, and the Muslims of the Ottoman Empire
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...
) and to negate the concept of Croat and Serb nationhood that had already spread to Bosnia and Herzegovina's Catholic and Orthodox communities from neighboring Croatia and Serbia in the mid 19th century. Croats and Serbs who opposed the policy, ignored Bosnian nationhood and instead sought to claim Bosnian Muslims as their own, a move that was rejected by most Bosnian Muslims. Following the death of Kallay, the policy was abandoned and by the latter half of the 1910's nationalism was an integral factor of Bosnian politics, with national political parties corresponding to the three groups dominating elections.
The idea of a unified South Slavic state
Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia refers to three political entities that existed successively on the western part of the Balkans during most of the 20th century....
(typically expected to be spear-headed by independent Kingdom of Serbia
Kingdom of Serbia
The Kingdom of Serbia was created when Prince Milan Obrenović, ruler of the Principality of Serbia, was crowned King in 1882. The Principality of Serbia was ruled by the Karađorđevic dynasty from 1817 onwards . The Principality, suzerain to the Porte, had expelled all Ottoman troops by 1867, de...
) became a popular political ideology in the region at this time, including Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Austro-Hungarian government's decision to formally annex Bosnia-Herzegovina in 1908 added to a sense of urgency among these nationalists. The political tensions caused by all this culminated on June 28, 1914, when Serb nationalist youth Gavrilo Princip
Gavrilo Princip
Gavrilo Princip was the Bosnian Serb who assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria and his wife, Sophie, Duchess of Hohenberg, in Sarajevo on 28 June 1914...
assassinated the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, Archduke Franz Ferdinand
Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria
Franz Ferdinand was an Archduke of Austria-Este, Austro-Hungarian and Royal Prince of Hungary and of Bohemia, and from 1889 until his death, heir presumptive to the Austro-Hungarian throne. His assassination in Sarajevo precipitated Austria-Hungary's declaration of war against Serbia...
, in Sarajevo; an event that proved to be the spark that set off World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. Although some Bosnians died serving in the armies of the various warring states, Bosnia and Herzegovina itself managed to escape the conflict relatively unscathed.
Parliamentary parties
- Croatian Peoples Community
- Croatian Catholic Association
- Muslim Peoples Party
- Serbian Peoples Organization
Non-parliamentary parties
- Muslim Progressive Party
- Muslim Democracy
- Serbian Peoples Independent Party
- Socialdemocratic Party of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Demographics
| Year | Muslim | % | Orthodox | % | Catholic | % | Jewish | % | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1879 | 448,613 | 38.7% | 496,485 | 42.9% | 209,391 | 18.1% | 3,675 | 0.3% | 1,584,164 |
| 1885 | 492,710 | 36.9% | 571,250 | 42.8% | 265,788 | 19.9% | 5,805 | 0.4% | 1,336,091 |
| 1895 | 548,632 | 35% | 673,246 | 42.9% | 334,142 | 21.3% | 8,213 | 0.5% | 1,568,092 |
| 1910 | 612,137 | 32.2% | 825,418 | 43.5% | 434,061 | 22.9% | 11,868 | 0.6% | 1,898,044 |
Administration
}}During the Austro-Hungarian administration, the internal divisions of Bosnia and Herzegovina were kept, but their institutions modernized. Six districts formed the regional government and were maintained until 1922. The number of counties was 54.
Governors
| Term | Incumbent | |
|---|---|---|
| July 13, 1878 | Congress of Berlin The Congress of Berlin was a meeting of the European Great Powers' and the Ottoman Empire's leading statesmen in Berlin in 1878. In the wake of the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–78, the meeting's aim was to reorganize the countries of the Balkans... by 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... (nominally remained under sovereignty of the Ottoman Empire 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... ) |
|
| July 13, 1878 - November 18, 1878 | Josef, Freiherr Philippovich von Philippsberg, Commander | |
| November 18, 1878 - April 6, 1881 | Duke William of Württemberg, Head of Provincial Government | |
| April 6, 1881 - August 9, 1882 | Hermann, Freiherr Dahlen von Orlaburg Hermann, Freiherr Dahlen von Orlaburg Hermann, Freiherr Dahlen-Orlaburg was an Austrian administrator. He was the Austrian governor of Bosnia and Herzegovina from 1881 to 1882.... , Governor |
|
| August 9, 1882 - December 8, 1903 | Johann, Freiherr von Appel, Governor | |
| December 8, 1903 - June 25, 1907 | Eugen, Freiherr von Albori, Governor | |
| June 30, 1907 - October 7, 1908 | Anton von Winzor Anton von Winzor Anton Freiherr von Winzor was an Austrian Administrator.He served as the Austrian governor of Bosnia and Herzegovina between 1907 and 1909. He then served as the first governor after the Austria-Hungary annexed Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1908.... , Governor |
|
| October 7, 1908 | Bosnian crisis The Bosnian Crisis of 1908–1909, also known as the Annexation crisis, or the First Balkan Crisis, erupted into public view when on 6 October 1908, Austria-Hungary announced the annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Russia, the Ottoman Empire, Britain, Italy, Serbia, Montenegro, Germany and France... by Austria-Hungary |
|
| October 7, 1908 - March 7, 1909 | Anton von Winzor Anton von Winzor Anton Freiherr von Winzor was an Austrian Administrator.He served as the Austrian governor of Bosnia and Herzegovina between 1907 and 1909. He then served as the first governor after the Austria-Hungary annexed Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1908.... , Governor |
|
| March 7, 1909 - May 10, 1911 | Marijan Varešanin Marijan Varešanin Marijan Varešanin von Varesch was an Austrian administrator. He was the Austrian governor of Bosnia and Herzegovina from 1909 to 1911.... , Governor |
|
| May 10, 1911 - December 22, 1914 | Oskar Potiorek Oskar Potiorek Oskar Potiorek was an Austrian general who served as the Austro-Hungarian governor of Bosnia and Herzegovina between 1911 and 1914... , Governor |
|
| December 22, 1914 - November 3, 1918 | Stjepan, Freiherr von Sarkotić-Lovćen, Governor | |
| December 1, 1918 | Kingdom of Yugoslavia The Kingdom of Yugoslavia was a state stretching from the Western Balkans to Central Europe which existed during the often-tumultuous interwar era of 1918–1941... |
|
Religion
The emperor of Austria-Hungary had the ability to appoint and dismiss religious leaders and to control religious establishments financially through agreements created with the papacy, the patriarchatePatriarchate
A patriarchate is the office or jurisdiction of a patriarch. A patriarch, as the term is used here, is either* one of the highest-ranking bishops in Eastern Orthodoxy, earlier, the five that were included in the Pentarchy: Rome, Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem, but now nine,...
, and the Sheikh ul-Islam
Sheikh ul-Islam
Shaykh al-Islām is a title of superior authority in the issues of Islam....
.
The occupation of Bosnia and Herzegovina led to great reforms of the Catholic Church in that country, after centuries in the Ottoman Empire
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...
. In 1881, Vrhbosna
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vrhbosna
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vrhbosna is an ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Roman Catholic Church in eastern Bosnia. Its episcopal see is the city of Sarajevo, capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It was elevated to an archdiocese on July 5, 1881. The Diocese of Vrhbosna is much older...
was elevated to an archdiocese, and the dioceses of Banja Luka
Roman Catholic Diocese of Banja Luka
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Banja Luka a diocese of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church in western Bosnia. The diocese is centred in the city of Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina.Erected on July 5, 1881, the diocese is a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Vrhbosna, as the Diocese of...
and Mostar-Duvno
Roman Catholic Diocese of Mostar-Duvno
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Mostar-Duvno is an ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Roman Catholic Church encompassing Herzegovina. The diocese, as well as the Franciscan Province, is centred in the city of Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina. It was formed on July 5, 1881...
were formed. Work began on the Cathedral of Jesus' Heart
Cathedral of Jesus' Heart
The Cathedral of Jesus' Heart in Sarajevo, commonly referred as the Sarajevo Cathedral is the largest cathedral in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is the seat of the Vrhbosanski Archbishop, currently Cardinal Vinko Puljić, and center of Catholic worship in the city...
in Sarajevo
Sarajevo
Sarajevo |Bosnia]], surrounded by the Dinaric Alps and situated along the Miljacka River in the heart of Southeastern Europe and the Balkans....
in 1884 and was completed by 1889.
See also
- Congress of BerlinCongress of BerlinThe Congress of Berlin was a meeting of the European Great Powers' and the Ottoman Empire's leading statesmen in Berlin in 1878. In the wake of the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–78, the meeting's aim was to reorganize the countries of the Balkans...
- Bosnian crisisBosnian crisisThe Bosnian Crisis of 1908–1909, also known as the Annexation crisis, or the First Balkan Crisis, erupted into public view when on 6 October 1908, Austria-Hungary announced the annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Russia, the Ottoman Empire, Britain, Italy, Serbia, Montenegro, Germany and France...
- Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of AustriaAssassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of AustriaOn 28 June 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, heir presumptive to the Austro-Hungarian throne, and his wife, Sophie, Duchess of Hohenberg, were shot dead in Sarajevo, by Gavrilo Princip, one of a group of six Bosnian Serb assassins coordinated by Danilo Ilić...
- Bosnian-Herzegovinian InfantryBosnian-Herzegovinian InfantryThe Bosnian-Herzegovinian Infantry was a branch of the army of Austria-Hungary, which had been granted some special and unique privileges distinct from other units...