Oslobođenje Kosova / ili izlazak Srbije na more
Liberation of Kosovo/or Serbia’s Access to the Sea

Summary/Abstract: By the weakening of Ottoman Empire, the Serbian Nationalist Movement attempted to achieve a program of nationalist unification by founding the Serbian state, liberating Kosovo and joining the old Serbian land to the centre as well as by expanding to the south and south west, north and north west, to Orthodox lands. This nationalism, accepted by a majority of intellectuals did not rely on pure sensitivity (despite the irrational arguments of 'deep souls', non-material western interests, open hands of colonizers, sacrifice for freedom of un-free brothers) but remained a rational political concept of bringing together the national identity and political power in accordance with the political needs of Serbia. It was also an economic necessity in order to for a 'large state' to make progress which could not be imagined without its access to the sea. In a time of turmoil at the beginning of the twentieth century this special need became an imperative of Serbian politicians and intellectuals who tried by using impossible means to explain the traditions of Albanians and the need for their inclusion in the Serbian state.

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