Montenegrin–Ottoman War (1876–78)
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The Montenegrin–Ottoman War (Montenegrin and Serbian Cyrillic: Црногорско-турски рат, Montenegrin-Turkish War) was a war between the Principality of 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 Ottomans in Europe. Montenegro and Serbia agreed to declare a war on Turkey on 18 June 1876. The Montenegrins allied themselves with Herzegovians. 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 Ottomans signed a truce with the Montenegrins at Edirne on 13 January 1878. The advancement of Russian 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.
Contents
Background
In October 1874, an influential Ottoman statesman, Jusuf-beg Krnjić, was murdered in Podgorica, which at the time was an Ottoman border town towards Montenegro. He had most likely been killed a near relative of Marko Miljanov. In revenge, Turks retributed against the local population and merchants. This event is known as the "Podgorica slaughter" (Podgorički pokolj). It resulted in bad relations between Montenegro and the Ottoman Empire, which furter deteriorated with the outbreak of the uprising in Herzegovina (1875). Montenegro provided the rebels with military and financial aid and represented their interests to the Porte. Montenegro requested that part of Herzegovina be handed over to the Montenegrins, but the Porte declined. Because of this, Montenegro declared war on 18 June 1876, immediately followed by its foremost ally, the Principality of Serbia.
1876
In the beginning of the war, when Miljanov arrived at Kuči, at the Ottoman frontier, the Kuči revolted and attacked the Turks.[1] The Pasha filled Medun and other small forts, Fundina, Koći, Zatrijebač and Orahovo with soldiers.[1]
The Piperi and Kuči tribes together attacked Koći, killing a small part, while they found Turks in tower houses whom they wanted to destroy with wooden cannons.[2] An epic poem regarding the war tells how Abdi Pasha the Cherkessian with 20,000 soldiers of the sanjak of Scutari and sent from the sultan went to attack the Kuči and Piperi.[3] The poem tells how part of the army went towards Koći, and then having clashed in Zatrijebač and Fundina.[3]
Battles
- Battle of Vučji Do (18 July 1876)
- Battle of Fundina (2 August 1876)
- Battle of Medun
- Battle of Trijebač
- Battle of Spuž
- Battle of Doljani
Aftermath
Plav and Gusinje
- Battle of Velika (1879)
- Battle of Novšiće (4 December 1879)
- Battle of Murino (1880)
- Battle of Velika (1880)
See also
References
Sources
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- Спиридон Гопчевић, „Црногорско-турски рат 1876. до 1878. године". Београд 1963
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