THE ATTITUDE OF ARMY TOWARDS POLITICAL MODERNIZATION IN THE PERIOD OF MILAN AND ALEKSANDAR OBRENOVIC’S RULE

Abstract

The independent state, Serbia, emerged as a product of rebellions and military successes. While the first rulers of modern-day Serbia were the above all soldiers, and only later politicians, the necessity of developing the armed forces in Serbia was caused by the basic function that the army has in every society as well as the specific circumstances of the newly created state. Regarding the relationship between the army and modernization, we need to distinguish two situations. The first situation refers to the modernization process within the army, including modern communication systems, training of soldiers, noncommissioned officers and officers, modern weapons and technical and technological resources. In Serbia, this process has been mostemphasized in the conflict between the concentrated national and the standing army. On the other hand, the army as an institution in modern times has its constitutional and legal powers, and any rise of the army and its elders from constitutional and legal frameworks becomes violation of the rule of law principle. In the period between the eighties of the 19th century and the First World War, the Balkan states modern armies were formed. King Milan understood the importance of managing the military, and during his three-year command of the Active Army, from 1897 to 1900, he carried out reforms that significantly influenced the modernization of the Serbian army. A reorganization of the Military Academy was carried out, better weapons were procured and the quality of senior staff was improved. King Milan sought to make social elite out of officers, loyal to the dynasty. After King Milan left the position of the Commander of the Active Army, budgetary funds allocated for the army were reduced, and all people who were believed to be supporters of King Milan, or who opposed the marriage between King Alexander and Draga, were removed from the active military service.