THE BRITISH DIPLOMACY AND THE CELEBRATION OF THE FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SECOND SERBIAN UPRISING
THE BRITISH DIPLOMACY AND THE CELEBRATION OF THE FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SECOND SERBIAN UPRISING

Summary/Abstract: The 50th Anniversary of the Second Serbian Uprising had a dual meaning: on the one hand it signified the need of Serbian people to develop their own selfconsciousness in relation to the Turks, and on the other hand it strengthened the feelings of national loyalty toward the Obrenović dynasty. Prince Mihailo decided to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Second Serbian Uprising despite the disapproval of the great powers, especially Britain. British representatives in Belgrade and in Constantinople got the instructions to ignore the whole event. They were strictly forbidden to attend the festivities. The British were afraid that the happening would be hostile toward the Ottoman Empire. Serbian potential allies, Princess of Montenegro and Romania received only informal invitations since the formal one would be openly aimed against Turkey. Serbian representative in Constantinople gave assurances to Turkish government and the representatives of the great powers that the event would not in any way be offensive to the Serbian Suzerain. The Grand Vizier was perfectly satisfied with the guaranties of the Serbian government. The Celebration was a clear sign of Serbian future independence as a state. The British representative in Belgrade sent a report to his government that the Serbian Prince was preparing to send an agent to Vienna to negotiate for the purchase of sixty thousand old muskets from the Austrian government. Mihailo Obrenović was simultaneously trying to strengthen his dynasty and preparing to go to war against Turkey.

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