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Montenegrin-Ottoman War (1876-1878)
Encyclopedia
The Montenegrin-Ottoman War (Montenegrin
: Црногорско-османски рат, Crnogorsko-osmanski rat) was a war between Montenegro and the Ottoman Empire
that took place between 1876 and 1878. The war ended with Montenegro victorious. 6 major and 27 smaller battles were fought, among them was the crucial Battle of Vučji Do
.
A rebellion in nearby Herzegovina
sparked a series of rebellions and uprisings against the Ottoman forces in Europe
. Montenegro and Serbia
agreed to declare a war on Turkey on 18 June 1876, thus starting the war. Montenegrins, allied with Herzegovians, emerged victorious. One battle that was crucial to Montenegro's victory in the war was the Battle of Vučji Do
. In 1877, Montenegrins fought heavy battles along the borders of Herzegovina
and Albania
. Prince Nicholas
took the initiative and counterattacked the Turkish forces that were coming from the north, south and west. He conquered Nikšić
(24 September 1877), Bar
(10 January 1878), Ulcinj
(20 January 1878), Grmožur (26 January 1878) and Vranjina
and Lesendro (30 January 1878)
The war ended when the Turks
signed a truce with the Montenegrins at Edirne
on 13 January 1878. The advancement of Russia
n forces toward Turkey forced Turkey to sign a peace treaty
on 3 March 1878. recognising the independence of Montenegro
, as well as Romania
and Serbia
, and also increased Montenegro's territory from 4,405 km² to 9,475 km². Montenegro also gained the towns of Nikšić
, Kolašin
, Spuž
, Podgorica
, Žabljak
, Bar
, as well as access to the sea.
Montenegrin language
Montenegrin is a name used for the Serbo-Croatian language as spoken by Montenegrins; it also refers to an incipient standardized form of the Shtokavian dialect of Serbo-Croatian used as the official language of Montenegro...
: Црногорско-османски рат, Crnogorsko-osmanski rat) was a war between Montenegro and 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...
that took place between 1876 and 1878. The war ended with Montenegro victorious. 6 major and 27 smaller battles were fought, among them was the crucial Battle of Vučji Do
Battle of Vucji Do
The Battle of Vučji Do was a major battle that took place on 18 July 1876 in Vučji Do, Herzegovina in Ottoman Empire . The battle was fought between Montenegrins and Herzegovinians versus the Ottoman Turks...
.
A rebellion in nearby Herzegovina
Herzegovina Uprising
Several uprisings were led by Serbs and Croats in the region of Herzegovina, then under Ottoman rule:*1852-1878 Uprising*1875-1878 Uprising*1882 Uprising...
sparked a series of rebellions and uprisings against the Ottoman forces in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
. Montenegro and 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...
agreed to declare a war on Turkey on 18 June 1876, thus starting the war. Montenegrins, allied with Herzegovians, emerged victorious. One battle that was crucial to Montenegro's victory in the war was the Battle of Vučji Do
Battle of Vucji Do
The Battle of Vučji Do was a major battle that took place on 18 July 1876 in Vučji Do, Herzegovina in Ottoman Empire . The battle was fought between Montenegrins and Herzegovinians versus the Ottoman Turks...
. In 1877, Montenegrins fought heavy battles along the borders of Herzegovina
Herzegovina
Herzegovina is the southern region of Bosnia and Herzegovina. While there is no official border distinguishing it from the Bosnian region, it is generally accepted that the borders of the region are Croatia to the west, Montenegro to the south, the canton boundaries of the Herzegovina-Neretva...
and Albania
Albania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...
. Prince Nicholas
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...
took the initiative and counterattacked the Turkish forces that were coming from the north, south and west. He conquered Nikšić
Nikšić
Nikšić is a city in Montenegro . In 2003 the city had a total population about 75,000.Nikšić is located in Nikšić plain, at the foot of Mount Trebjesa. It is the center of the municipality , which is the largest in Montenegro by area...
(24 September 1877), Bar
Bar, Montenegro
Bar is a coastal town in Montenegro. It has a population of 17,727...
(10 January 1878), Ulcinj
Ulcinj
Ulcinj is a coastal resort town and municipality in Montenegro. The town of Ulcinj has a population of 10,828 of which the majority are Albanians...
(20 January 1878), Grmožur (26 January 1878) and Vranjina
Vranjina
Vranjina is an island in Skadar Lake in the Montenegrin municipality of Podgorica.-About the island:Created by a delta of the Morača River, the island is in the northern part of the lake...
and Lesendro (30 January 1878)
The war ended when the Turks
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...
signed a truce with the Montenegrins at Edirne
Edirne
Edirne is a city in Eastern Thrace, the northwestern part of Turkey, close to the borders with Greece and Bulgaria. Edirne served as the capital city of the Ottoman Empire from 1365 to 1453, before Constantinople became the empire's new capital. At present, Edirne is the capital of the Edirne...
on 13 January 1878. The advancement of Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n forces toward Turkey forced Turkey to sign a peace treaty
Treaty of San Stefano
The Preliminary Treaty of San Stefano was a treaty between Russia and the Ottoman Empire signed at the end of the Russo-Turkish War, 1877–78...
on 3 March 1878. recognising the independence of 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...
, as well as Romania
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
and 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...
, and also increased Montenegro's territory from 4,405 km² to 9,475 km². Montenegro also gained the towns of Nikšić
Nikšić
Nikšić is a city in Montenegro . In 2003 the city had a total population about 75,000.Nikšić is located in Nikšić plain, at the foot of Mount Trebjesa. It is the center of the municipality , which is the largest in Montenegro by area...
, Kolašin
Kolašin
Kolašin , is a town in northern Montenegro. It has a population of 2,989 .Kolašin is the centre of the municipality and unofficial centre of Morača region, named after Morača River....
, Spuž
Spuž
Spuž is small town within the Municipality of Danilovgrad, Montenegro. It is located halfway between Podgorica and Danilovgrad, in the Bjelopavlići valley...
, Podgorica
Podgorica
Podgorica , is the capital and largest city of Montenegro.Podgorica's favourable position at the confluence of the Ribnica and Morača rivers and the meeting point of the fertile Zeta Plain and Bjelopavlići Valley has encouraged settlement...
, Žabljak
Žabljak
Žabljak is a small town in northern Montenegro. It has a population of 1,937.Žabljak is the seat of the municipality...
, Bar
Bar, Montenegro
Bar is a coastal town in Montenegro. It has a population of 17,727...
, as well as access to the sea.
Battles fought
- Battle of Vučji DoBattle of Vucji DoThe Battle of Vučji Do was a major battle that took place on 18 July 1876 in Vučji Do, Herzegovina in Ottoman Empire . The battle was fought between Montenegrins and Herzegovinians versus the Ottoman Turks...
(18 July 1876) - Battle of FundinaBattle of FundinaThe Battle of Fundina took place on 2 August 1876 in Fundina, a village in Kuči, Principality of Montenegro.The Montenegrin Army was led by the two Montenegrin dukes, Ilija Plamenac and Marko Miljanov, who had about 5,000 people uder their direct command...
(2 August 1877) - Battle of Medun
- Battle of Trijebca
- Battle of Spuž
- Battle of Doljani