THE LAST PLAN OF PRINCE MIHAILO OBRENOVIC ABOUT BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

Abstract

During his second rule (1860–1868) Prince Michael Obrenovic was taking a lot of measures to prepare the general uprising on the Balkans, within the framework of far-reaching liberation plans and removing Ottomans rules among christians peoples. Due to the russian diplomatic support to Serbia on key issues and special support in the creation of the Balkan League, Russia’s role in the planning of the war in the Balkans, the impression was that the prince wanted a momentary war against the Ottoman state. Such an impression does not correspond to the real plans of the Prince Michael. Complex internal and foreign policy position of the Principality of Serbia, required caution and patience. That’s why the prince devoted himself to the realization of the plan for Bosnia and Herzegovina. He wanted to take Bosnia and Herzegovina without a great war, in fact, to put them under the serbians administration, with the aid of a one-off rebellion. After that, Prince could negotiate with Port for paying some kind of annual lease. First of all, it was necessary to ensure the neutrality of the great powers, but Russian support was not enough.