Два српска кнеза, отац и син – слике из британских дипломатских извештаја
Two Serbian Prince, Father and Son – Pictures from the British Diplomatic Report

Summary/Abstract: The aim of this article is to describe the way the British diplomacy viewed the Serbian Princes Milosh and Michael Obrenovic at the time of change at the Serbian throne in 1860. Britain first tried to establish consular relations with Serbia in 1828. The first British consul in Serbia was George Lloyd Hodges 1837 – 1838. His mission was not a success. Britain tried to influence the 1838 Serbian constitution but they failed. The Russian influence was deciding and the institution of the State Council was established. The institution was able to maintain control over the Serbian Prince. After that Milosh Obrenovic (1829 – 1839) left Serbia. He was succeeded by his son Milan and after Milan’s death by Prince Michael (1839 – 1842). When the British Consulate was set up again in 1842, the British consuls in Serbia had less influence in the Principality than Austrian or Russian representatives. After a short reign of Prince Alexander Karadjordjevic (1842 – 1858), Prince Milosh Obrenovic, was elected again in Serbia. Prince Michael was named as his successor. The British had decisive influence in Turkey after the Crimean war and they tried to implement it in Serbia. The British ambassador at Constantinople had a crucial effect on the British foreign policy towards Serbia. In 1858 the ambassador was Sir Henry Bulwer. The first aim of Milosh and Michael Obrenovic was to secure their hereditary power in Principality and to change the 1838 Constitution. The Porte and the great powers refused to grant them these requests. They only recognized Obrenovic`s electoral rights. Prince Milosh died in 1860 and Michael Obrenovic became the Serbian Prince. The change at the Serbian throne presented a need for the British diplomats to study their personalities. This article is trying to show what personal characteristics of the two princes were observed by the British. It is a try to show the challenge that ambassador Bulwer faced against Michael Obrenovic and the goals of his foreign policy. Michael proclaimed himself a hereditary ruler, continued to rule Serbia with no regard for the 1838 Constitution and continued his attempts to create Balkan union directed against Ottoman Empire. His main objective was to expel the Turks from Serbian towns. British policy had no effect on his plans. Great Britain never supported Serbian and other Balkan nationalisms.

• Details
• Contents