Christmas Uprising
Encyclopedia
The Christmas Uprising or Christmas Rebellion (Serbian
: Божићна побуна, Božićna pobuna or Божићни Устанак, Božićni Ustanak) refers to the uprising of Montenegrin guerrilla fighters aimed against the planned unification of Montenegro with the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes. This event occurred in Montenegro
on 7 January 1919, the day of Orthodox Christmas, shortly after the First World War.
The catalyst for the uprising was the decision of the controversial Grand People's Assembly in Montenegro
(The Podgorica Parliament) for unification of Montenegro with the Kingdom of Serbia
. The unionist side (in favor of unification with Serbia) outnumbered the party favoring separation. The uprising was named after the Orthodox Christmas of January 7, 1919, when it occurred. The Unionists with aid from the Serbian Army
defeated the Zelenaši near Cetinje
. Many Montenegrin families and homes were destroyed, as well as many separatists being thrown in prison. The proponents of the rebellion fled to Italy or fled to the mountains, continuing a guerrilla war
under the banner of the Montenegrin Army in Exile.
The military leader of the uprising was Krsto Zrnov Popović
and its political leader was Jovan S. Plamenac. After it occurred, the dethroned King Nicholas was forced to issue a call for peace, but several groups of rebels continued to resist until 1929, most notably the militia of Savo Raspopović.
played an instrumental role in its organizing. Various Italian figures visited prominent Montenegrins who were known to be dissatisfied with the decisions of the Podgorica Assembly in order to spur them on to take up arms and rebel.
The Kingdom of Italy was vehemently opposed to the creation of joint South Slavic state Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, and the Italians disputed many of the new kingdom's coastal territories such as Dalmatia. Their support of the Montenegrin uprising was seen as part of a larger attempt to stretch the already frail defense capability of the newly created South Slavic state which would make it easier for Italians to attack the new state's still undefined borders.
of prime minister Milo Đukanović revealed a memorial statue for the Greens died in the battles.
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....
: Божићна побуна, Božićna pobuna or Божићни Устанак, Božićni Ustanak) refers to the uprising of Montenegrin guerrilla fighters aimed against the planned unification of Montenegro with the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes. This event occurred in 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...
on 7 January 1919, the day of Orthodox Christmas, shortly after the First World War.
Podgorica Assembly
The Podgorica Assembly , in full the Great National Assembly of the Serb People in Montenegro , was an assembly held in Podgorica that served as the representative body of the Montenegrin people during the...
(The Podgorica Parliament) for unification of Montenegro with the 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...
. The unionist side (in favor of unification with Serbia) outnumbered the party favoring separation. The uprising was named after the Orthodox Christmas of January 7, 1919, when it occurred. The Unionists with aid from the Serbian Army
Serbian Army
-Objectives:The Serbian Army is responsible for:* deterring armed threats* defending Serbia's territory* participation in peacekeeping operations* providing humanitarian aid and disaster relief-Personnel:...
defeated the Zelenaši near 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...
. Many Montenegrin families and homes were destroyed, as well as many separatists being thrown in prison. The proponents of the rebellion fled to Italy or fled to the mountains, continuing a guerrilla war
Guerrilla warfare
Guerrilla warfare is a form of irregular warfare and refers to conflicts in which a small group of combatants including, but not limited to, armed civilians use military tactics, such as ambushes, sabotage, raids, the element of surprise, and extraordinary mobility to harass a larger and...
under the banner of the Montenegrin Army in Exile.
The military leader of the uprising was Krsto Zrnov Popović
Krsto Žrnov Popovic
Captain Krsto Todorov-Zrnov Popović was one of the leaders of 1919 Christmas Uprising in Montenegro against Serbian dynasty Karađorđević, organized by the greens , followers of dethroned King Nikola and Montenegrin dynasty Petrović-Njegoš...
and its political leader was Jovan S. Plamenac. After it occurred, the dethroned King Nicholas was forced to issue a call for peace, but several groups of rebels continued to resist until 1929, most notably the militia of Savo Raspopović.
Italian role
Though the actual rebellion was started by local Montenegrin chieftains, the Kingdom of ItalyKingdom of Italy (1861–1946)
The Kingdom of Italy was a state forged in 1861 by the unification of Italy under the influence of the Kingdom of Sardinia, which was its legal predecessor state...
played an instrumental role in its organizing. Various Italian figures visited prominent Montenegrins who were known to be dissatisfied with the decisions of the Podgorica Assembly in order to spur them on to take up arms and rebel.
The Kingdom of Italy was vehemently opposed to the creation of joint South Slavic state Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, and the Italians disputed many of the new kingdom's coastal territories such as Dalmatia. Their support of the Montenegrin uprising was seen as part of a larger attempt to stretch the already frail defense capability of the newly created South Slavic state which would make it easier for Italians to attack the new state's still undefined borders.
Legacy
On 7 January 2008, on the 90th anniversary of the uprising, the Montenegrin GovernmentGovernment of Montenegro
The Government of Montenegro is the executive branch of state authority in Montenegro. It is headed by the prime minister. It comprises the prime minister, the deputy prime ministers as well as ministers....
of prime minister Milo Đukanović revealed a memorial statue for the Greens died in the battles.
