Turkish constitution (Serbia)

The Constitution of 1838, often called the Turkish constitution (because it was issued in the form of a sultan firman), was a constitution of Principality of Serbia from 1838 till 1869. In this way, the Ottoman Empire wanted to show that Serbia is in subservience to it. Although the new constitution was less liberal than its predecessor Sretenje Constitution, Serbian prince Miloš Obrenović didn't want to rule obeying it, so he abdicated in favor of his son Milan Obrenović.

Background

The people of Serbia often rebelled against Miloš's autocratic and often brutal rule. Following one such rebellion, he agreed to adopt the very liberal Sretenje Constitution in 1835, that abolished serfdom, granted freedom of speech and the press, while the prince's power was reduced. The move was opposed by neighboring Austria, the ruling Ottoman Empire and Russia. It is believed that the three great empires saw the constitution as a danger to their own autocratic systems of government. Metternich's Austria particularly ridiculed the fact that Serbia had its own flag and ministry of foreign affairs. Miloš was glad to abolish the constitution at the demand of Russia and Turkey.

Prince Miloš Obrenović had changed his way of ruling upon the abolition of Sretenje Constitution. Prince Miloš stopped to act as supreme judge and abolished monopoly of salt trade. The new constitution was carried out by Russian Empire, Ottoman Empire and Austrian Empire. Russian envoy handed "basis" for the constitutional organization of Serbia. According to him, the constitution should contain only administrative provisions, because hatisheriff of 1830 granted political rights for Principality of Serbia. Russia requested keeping stay of the Council, through which she could put pressure on prince.

Aftermath

Although the new constitution was less liberal then its predecessor, Serbian prince Miloš Obrenović didn't want to rule obeying it, so he abdicated on June 13, 1839 in favor of his son Milan Obrenović. Milan died in less than a month after that and was succeeded by his brother Mihailo Obrenović. In 1842 his first reign came to a halt when he was overthrown by a rebellion led by Toma Vučić-Perišić, which enabled the Karađorđević dynasty to accede to the Serbian throne. The most influential men in Serbia after that were Vučić-Perišić and Ilija Garašanin.

See also

Literature

Template:Constitutions of Serbia

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