English 1050
09/23/2009
The biography of Djordje Petrovic Karadjordje
Almost five hundred years Serbia was a property of the Ottoman Empire. The Serbian people were suffering. They could not have their own religion, they could not walk down the streets free, male children were taken away from their mothers, so that they could serve the Ottoman’s army and also, what is the hardest thing, they were supposed to accept a different culture and religion. That was the hardest period for the Serbian nation. They needed miracle and salvation. They needed one person who will lead them to freedom, and they found it in 1804. Far from the Ottoman eyes, small group of Serbian people gathered in Orasac to decide their leader. They needed someone to lead them against the Ottoman Empire, someone who will be extraordinary, a good strategist and commandant of the army. As a result they saw all those advantages in one person. That person was Djordje Petrovic Karadjordje. For this reason the most important battles were won thanks to Karadjordje and his decisiveness, bravery and good way of commanding.
Djordje Petrovic Karadjore is also known as Crni Djordje, which means Black Djordje. He got that nickname from the Ottoman people because he was the worst enemy to them. As well he established the dynasty of Karadjordjevic. His day of birth was November 14th 1762. Thus the name that he got that day is the name of Saint Djordje. Also he got that name to protect him from enemies and to lead him to happiness. Djordje Petrovic was born in poor family. His parents were Petar and Marica Zivkovic from Masloseva. Moreover, he had family that consisted of big number of members.
In autumn of 1785, he married Jelena Jovanovic from Masloseva. For a lot of reasons, he was force to run with his family into Srem, which is province of Serbia. They stayed there until the last Austrian-Ottoman war. Escape to Austria in 1813, and also in 1876, were the two hardest periods in Karadjordje’s life. He was living in Srem for two years, until he joined to the Austrian army in war against the Ottoman Empire (1788-1891). Also, he was volunteered in group of people who called themselves Mihaljevicev frajkor, and he was under command of Radica Petrovic. This group of people was battling for the Austrian Empire. It is hard to say when Karadjordje went from frajkorac to brigand. As a result, Austria gave him the medal for bravery and also noncommissioned officer medal. Main excellence of this war is that it has the enormous participation of people in it. The Experience and edification that they got were the treasure for them. For this reason, during that time he traveled the lands of the Austrian Empire, met a lot of new people and improved his skill of (making) war.
How ever, Karadjordje did not achieve his glory very fast. Some people say that it is because he was making wars in groups of already famous people like Laza Dobric and Stanoje Glavas. Alone, he deserved a medal called the Harambasa. The word Harambasa means general of the group of people who were making war against the Ottoman Empire, and his group gathered over a hundred people in it. Establishing autonomy in Belgrade made Karadjordje stop being brigand, and to arrange his property in Topola. In that time he achieved average property.
On the other hand, after death of Laza Dobric he became again brigand. Stanoje Glavas and he were two most famous persons in Serbia in that time. Also participation in many wars left marks to his personality. In fact, people who explore history about that time say that he was not burden to his people, actually he was good protection.
The long period of enslavement and suffering, especially in time of the Ottoman domination, brought fear into the blood and bones of the Serbian people. The Serbian people were suffering and they wanted freedom. Because of this, in that time they started to raise the rebellion and Karadjordje had the main part in it. The main revolution was in 1804, but in that time Karadjordje was not the most popular person and he did not do any national duty, he was only famous because of his bravery to oppose the Ottomans. Because he killed a couple of the Ottoman’s people he became very popular in Sumadija.
In Sumadija and Kolubara they were preparing the rebellion. Kolubara is a province next to Sumadija. Naturally, the Ottoman Sultan found out about the rebellion, and he made the attack on the Serbian’s famous people in that time. He organized the meeting. At that meeting every famous Serbian were invited to come. As well, he made that event look like a pride for those people who were invited. So, they came that day to the meeting place but, in last moment Karadjordje decided not to go. He was suspicious about it. As it turns out, all people who came to that event were murdered.
In contrast, almost all decade of fighting against the Ottoman Empire (1804-1813), Karadjordje was the primary character. His activity was the most notable in 1804, but totally different after 1804. He was committed to gathering, organizing and encouraging people who were losing their balance, but also he took a radical attitude against traitors. Burning houses of traitors and Ottoman’s people who were living on lands of Serbia was his way of showing that the rebellion started. “Any Serbian who does not go with us into revolution will be attacked and condemned like all other Ottomans,” Karadjordje commanded. Successes at the beginning were accomplished thanks to his attitude and support that he got from his brigand group of people who were fighting against Ottoman cruelty.
On the other hand, by choosing Karadjordje to be a leader, Serbians accomplished the first serious step in organization of the national government. When Serbians countries fell into the domination of the Ottoman Empire, Serbian government, dynasty and authority disappeared. Crown dignity, in any way, could only be bought back again with the country’s new birth. Meanwhile, the institution of Karadjordje and the national community were building at the same time. Also, the national community of rebels was approved by the Russians. In general, the Russians and Serbians were together fighting against the Ottoman Empire. Karadjordje, after little doubtfulness and wandering, broadened and anchored his domination on the territory that he liberated from the Ottoman Empire.
The Constitution act from 1808 and also the Constitution act from 1811 admitted and gave Karadjordje the heritage and he was announced for the president of coalition. With that announcement he has the army and citizen’s command.
However, his comprehension of loyal character and duty was simple and he was not good in politics. Karadjordje has a distinctive appearance with the Serbian people. Except for his showing of bravery, he was very decent. In the Novosadski newspapers, he wrote a long time ago: “Imagine just how brave Serviljans are sitting on Vracar, and me poor fellow is between them. Your Petrovic is born Serviljanac.” As a result, to foreign people, diplomats and consolers, he was showing unnecessary condescension that is characteristic of the Serbian nation. In relations with foreign countries, he did not manage very well.
For example, you can read the quote that describes him the best and see what kind of person he was: “With only one guy that was following him, with little meat, tough cheese, little bread and brandy, always more armed than anyone can notice, Karadjordje in 1803, with short and easy step, with the shortcut he circumvented Sumadija and parts all over and cross the river Morava. He established his knowledge about using mountains, woods and water for future fights against the Ottoman Empire. But, the main goal for him was to acquaint with every more respectable host and win him for national fight against the Ottoman Empire.”
Indeed, Karadjordje was a matchless general. He wanted to ensure the unity of government and substantive country. For this reason, Karadjordje came back to the Serbia in 1817. Karadjordje was murdered in same year on July 25th, by the order of Milos Obrenovic.
Black Djordje fed himself very simply like all people from Sumadija. He was emphatically tall with a strong body. Furthermore, he had clear look, thin voice and speechless mouth. Extremely mobile, he went through lands of Serbia with his horse or afoot, finding himself always in the right place at the right time. Making war was his passion. For this reason, he was general of the army. He did not have anyone who could take his place or could be compared with him.
Karadjordje built the new Serbia, but because of his ignorance in politics people from Serbia did not recognize that. With a heroic way he directed the course of Serbian history. In truth, without exaggeration, we can say that his actions were magnificent.
Works Cited
Unknown, unknown. "Karadjordje Petrovic." Kolevka Srpske Drzavnosti, Orasac (2008): n. pag. Web. 09/20/2009.
Unknown, unknown. "Karadjordje Petrovic." Na mestu voljno (2008): n. pag. Web. 14 Oct 2009.
Unknown, unknown. "Karadjordje Petrovic." Karadjordje (2008): n. pag. Web. 14 Oct 2009.
Unknown, unknown. "Karadjordje Petrovic." Vidovdan (2008): n. pag. Web. 14 Oct 2009.
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