Movements of the Albanians in Kosovo and Metohia in the eve of the Young Turkish Revolution
As per the author's view, deep crisis which was upsetting the Ottoman Empires at the beginning of the 20th century was the consequence of a long-term non-resolution of the occurred problems, and a wrong approach to the events in the state. One of the ways of problems solving was the introductio...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Institute of Serbian Culture Priština, Leposavić
2011-01-01
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| Series: | Baština |
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| Online Access: | https://scindeks-clanci.ceon.rs/data/pdf/0353-9008/2011/0353-90081131175Z.pdf |
| Summary: | As per the author's view, deep crisis which was upsetting the Ottoman Empires at the beginning of the 20th century was the consequence of a long-term non-resolution of the occurred problems, and a wrong approach to the events in the state. One of the ways of problems solving was the introduction of reforms what some great powers were insisting on. Non-accordance among them, non-sincerity of the Ottoman powers, and resistance of the local leaders together with the inhabitants, were main obstacles in the execution of the proclaimed reforms. The consequence of such state was the Young Turkish Revolution which was upsetting the Ottoman Empire at the end of its existence. Albanian inhabitants took part in the struggle against reforms, partly under the influence of the local agas and beys, and partly due to the propaganda coming from the side of Austria-Hungary. Stories which could be heard among the Albanians were that the main guilty ones for the reforms introduction who would diminish their rights and equalize the 'Christian people' with them, Serbs and 'Muscovites' who supports them. Being got used to self-will, the Albanians could see in each movements introduced and implemented by Turkey, if only that was about taxes collection, the introduction of reforms, for what Serbs were being blamed. The pressure of great powers on the reforms implementation especially became stronger after the Affair in Ibarski Kolašin 1901-1902, where the self-will of the Albanians came to its full expression. The endeavour of the state to introduce reforms was subject to conflicts by the Albanians in the sense of frequent mutinies, which were rather more random with not precise and articulated requests, than represented an organized uprising. Mutinies were initiated with the aim to become fruitful from many sides: by state bodies, which enter the imposed reforms with no sincerity, from local leaders, who think reforms were directly pointed to their interests, and from Austria-Hungary propaganda which sees reforms as an obstacle in the project Drang nach Osten realization. These three important factors in the mutinies with the Albanians enlighten themselves in the events in the eve of the Young Turkish Revolution. By reacting to the stories on the reforms introduction the Albanians at many places throughout Old Serbia organize meetings in which they 'take an oath' against mutual conflicts, and with the aim to create a unique front against the action of the state. Documents are telling us that unity not only was it realized, but there were mutual conflicts as well, though more on religious basis between the Albanians Moslems and their fellow citizens Catholics - fandas. There were also differences in the Moslem's corpus, where leading Albanians were supporting movements rather declaratively than in reality having fear for their position in front of the authorities. Furthermore, The Serbs from the area of Kosovo and Metohia found themselves in an inappropriate position. Although the Albanians left them in peace for some time due to the occupation by their state formation, they were not excluded from the events completely. Calls from the Albanian side were coming to join meetings against reforms, what was considered as cynic one, since reforms should have improved position of Serbian and other Orthodox inhabitants, while from the other side, it was their wish, supported by the information of the Serbian consul, not to come into conflict with the state. They faced a direct danger in the situation as such. By denying of joining the movement against reforms they were absorbing caprice of the Albanian inhabitants on themselves, supported by propaganda on them as main culprits for reforms introduction. Two streams appear among the Albanians regarding reaction to such Serbian behaviour - both fatal. The first one, which had been pleaded by Ljumljani, was that Serbs should be killed massively and publicly, whilst the second one was more cautious and pleaded for the same, but to be done in a different manner - secretly and, at the same time, in less number, in order not to draw the attention of great powers. Just in that time there was the Pasian's affair, when one Serbian guard on its way to Poreč had been revealed and killed, what additionally directed the Albanians' attention toward the Serbs by making blunt their anyway barren movements against reforms? This served the state to continue with procrastination of reforms introduction, which finally resulted in the Young Turkish Revolution in 1908. |
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| ISSN: | 0353-9008 2683-5797 |