Some Key Dates in Montenegro’s History
Throughout the centuries Montenegro was known to favor dynamic changes in political alliances and wars for its independence, as well as grand aspirations of entering into the international community. It’s evidence of the resilience and determination that define our nation’s historical testament to forge its destiny on its terms.
Antiquity:
The Illyrian tribe, an Indo-European group that spoke a language called IIlyrian were the first people to occupy Monte Negro in antiquity. After the Roman conquest in the Illyro-Roman Wars, this region became part of the domain of the Roman Republic. And since it became the part of Illyricum province that also includes Dalmatia, and Praevalitana.
The Arrival of the Slavs :
The land had three principalities and they are — Duklja in the south, Travunia in the west and Raška (in which would also include Bosna) took up nearly all of north. In the 11th century, Duklja gained the independence from Bizantium Roman Empire in 1042., and further expanded its borders by including nearby regions such as Rascia (Greater Serbia) and Bosnia within it. His rule turned the realm into a proper, regarded country with boundaries and sovereignty however folded in at the start of 12th century. The kingdom entered a period of internecine struggles after King Bodin’s death (c. 1101 or c. 1108). Duklja achieved its zenith under Vojislav’s son, Mihailo around 1046–81 and his grandson Constantine Bodin (1081-1101).
The strength of the kingdom was further sapped by internal strife among nobles. In 1186 the area that is now Montenegro was included in territory ruled by Stafan Nemanja, but it passed through a series of state formations governed by the Nemanjić dynasty over two centuries. In the meantime, in 1421 under Balša II began to increase power over Zeta again and by the beginning of World War I they had taken most of it_rediscovered when Serbia collapsed at the end of fourteenth century following the conquest Ottoman Empire.
The name “Zeta” is first documented in the 13th century. After that, in the late 14th century south part of Montenegro (Zeta) was occupied by Balšić noble family, which then solidified their rule. Theirs and later the Crnojević titles were officially recognized alongside local lords’ ranks with designation lordship as titles to be used. The name Montenegro, which literally translates to Black Mountain or Negro’s mountain in Spanish, started being used separately the 15th century.
After 1421 replaced means to become a Serbian Despotate, after the fragmentation of Serbia only in name; except it really was subject from around 1455 another Montenegrin noble family – Crnojevićs. It was the final independent monarchy in the Balkans before a conquest by Ottoman Turks in 1496 and its annexation into sanjak of Shkodër. For a few years it had its own self-governing Sanjak province, the sanjak of Montenegro (1514-1528). The farther west Old Herzegovina had been part of Sanjak of Herzegovina as well.
15th-18th Centuries – Autonomy Under Ottoman Rule :
For several centuries beginning in the mid-15th century , Montenegro had an essentially autonomous range of succession and was subject to the Ottoman Empire .
1798 – Recognition of Independence :
By 1798 independence of Montenegro has been officially recognized and it had the status of a principality .
1878 – International Recognition of Independence :
In 1878 Montenegros sovereignty was confirmed on the international scene .
1918 – Integration into the Kingdom :
Following World War One Montenegro was incorporated as part of the Kingdom of Serbs , Croats and Slovenes .
1929 – Name Change an d Political Shift :
In 1929 , the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slov enes was re-named to become the “Kingdom of Yugoslavia” thus emphasising a political reorientation .
1945 – Formation of Socialist Fed eral Republic :
After World War Two, Montenegro joined forces with others in the region such as Serbia , Slovenia and Macedonia to allow them all become Social ist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia that was lead by Josip Broz Tito .
1980 – Tito’s Passing :
In 1980 , Josip Broz Tito died and a new age begins for Yugoslavia .
1991 – Djukanovic’s Ascendance and Union Support :
In 1991 Milo Djukanovic became Montenegrin primeminister , and he supported a union with Serbia; at the moment when other republics of former Yugoslavia were becoming independent .
1992 – Federal Republic of Yugoslavia ::
In 1992 ,Montenegro passed official (but not legally binding)) declarations of independence and Serbia formed the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia as partcipation in a coming storm was seen growing, along nationalistic lines togetherwith hostilities against Croats and Bosnian Muslims .
1997 – Djukanovic’s Victory :
Milogoran Milo Djukanovic successfuly defeated a pro-Milosevic candidate inthe Montenegrin presidential election of 1997 ..
1999 – Kosovo Conflict and Currency Change ::
During the Kosovo conflict and NATO air strikes, Djukanovic declared that Montenegro was not fighting in the conflict . Additionaly, Monte
negro, in addition introduced the German deutschemark as the official means of payment ..
2000 – Winds of Change :
The downfall of Milosevic, and the emergence in Belgrade of pro-Western reformers sparked Montenegro to push for more autonomy from Serbia , prompting the revision of legislation focusing on independence.
2002 – Adoption of Euro :
Montenegro adopted the euro ,as its official currency , in 2002 .. Solidifying its economic ties to Europe , Montenegro in 2002 followed the examples of Kosovo and Serbia taking a binding commitment as part of their obligations under Article VIII . It was to replace the Yugoslav dinar after which it officially used both coins issued by Yugoslavia at that time until introducing new tenders .
2002 – Formation of Serbia, and Montenegro ::
Agreement was reached with the aid of EU mediators, between Yugoslav , Montenegrin and Serbian leaders for a compromise in which Yugoslavia would be replaced by a new state named “Serbia & Montenegro”.
2006 – Path to Independence :
The pinch point finally came in 2006 ,when Montenegro conducted a referendum to become an independent country . The referendum passed by only 55.5 percent of the vote in favor of independence making Montenegro its 192nd member candidate as a UN state..
2007 – International Engagements :
In 2007 , Montenegro became a member of the IMF and World Bank .
2008 – Kosovo’s Independence and EU Aspirations :
Montenegro recognized Kosovo’s self- declared independence in 2008 and also applied for European Union membership .
2013 – Progress Toward EU Membership :
In 2013 the European Parlia ment welcomed Montenegro’s progress towards EU membership , but called on it to step up media freedoms and protection of womens rights to gender equality .
2016 – Coup Allegation s and Election Turmoil ::
Allegations of Serbian-directed Russian coup planing on the eve of 2016 parliamentary elections in Montenegro led to a political crisis .
2017 – Nato Membership and Diplomatic Strains :
Montenegro, a former Russian ally that became the 29th state to join NATO , in June of 2017 . Some believe it is this event (Russian coup planning) that triggered the country to join NATO.
2020 – Challenges to Democracy ::
Freedom House rated Montenegro as a “hybrid regime” rather than full democracy in 2020 , with low scores for government functioning, justice and media freedom declining from the previous year . ■
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