The Unheld Convention of the Slavs in Belgrade in 1869 Cover Image

Несуђени скуп Словена у Београду 1869. године
The Unheld Convention of the Slavs in Belgrade in 1869

Author(s): Suzana Rajić
Subject(s): History
Published by: Istorijski institut, Beograd
Keywords: regents; Jovan Ristić; Milivoje Petrović Blaznavac; metropolitan Mihailo; Nikolai Pavlovich Shishkin; Nil Popov; Nicolai Pavlovich Ignatiev; slavophils; Slavic Beneficial Committee; Serbia; Russia

Summary/Abstract: Russian proclamation of the principle of non-interference in the Cretan crisis abated the tension between the great powers, but sparked criticism to the Chancellor A. M. Gorchakov and official course of foreign policy. Slavophiles and close to them diplomatic’s staff, led by General N. P Ignatyev, were resigned by the fact that Russia was withdrawing and leaving free hands to its opponents and left them Balkan Christians. The risk of slowing of Russian influence in the Balkans among Christians led Slavic Benevolent Committee in Moscow in vivid action. Soon was created the plan of Nil Popov, the secretary of Moscow Slavic Benevolent Committee, to held Pan-Slavic congress at 1869 in Belgrade. The regents were deliberately vague about the exact date, because the gathering of Slavs in Belgrade could lead to conflict with Vienna. On the one hand they wanted to break the awkward silence that could be negatively construed in Russia, and the other sought to gain time and delay a definitive answer as long as possible. Slavophiles did not achieve its main goal, which is the official retraction of Russia in the war against Turkey on the side of the Balkan Christians. In 1869 prevail was took by the official foreign policy line, which was held firmly policy of the agreement with the great powers and advocated for a peaceful resolution of the conflict in the Balkans. The course was pleased by the Regency in Serbia, which strived to overcome the crisis period during the minority of the Prince (1868–1872), free of the internal and external crises. Despite the unrealized plan of Pan-Slavic gathering, relations between Regency and Russia were increasingly better. This was the result of mutual efforts of the officials.

  • Issue Year: 2013
  • Issue No: 62
  • Page Range: 331-344
  • Page Count: 14
  • Language: Serbian