AHC: Maximum Montenegro

raharris1973

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How powerful or big could Montenegro have ever become?

Could it have been a rival of Serbia's rather than content to be Serbia's sidekick?

What happened to Montenegro's ruling dynasty by the way when the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes was created post-WWII?
 
It may be possible to make Montenegro Serbia's rival and/or senior partner in the game, but you'd have to go way back. As in, to the 1770s. The early 1800s at the very latest.

What happened to Montenegro's ruling dynasty by the way when the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes was created post-WWII?

The dynasty stayed in exile for a few years. Then in 1929 the Montenegrin claimant Michael (I) renounced his claim, recognized the legitimacy of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia and swore fealty to it. The Italians attempted to re-create the Kingdom of Montenegro under Axis occupation, but Michael refused to participate and other candidates could not be put forth for various reasons. So the attempt came to nothing.
 
The dynasty stayed in exile for a few years. Then in 1929 the Montenegrin claimant Michael (I) renounced his claim, recognized the legitimacy of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia and swore fealty to it. The Italians attempted to re-create the Kingdom of Montenegro under Axis occupation, but Michael refused to participate and other candidates could not be put forth for various reasons. So the attempt came to nothing.

And in OTL there is still notable monarchy restoration movement. Just wondering could Montenegro be in better situation if monarchy would had restored after independence referendum or if Yugoslavia wouldn't had ever created and Montenegro would had remained independent.
 
And in OTL there is still notable monarchy restoration movement. Just wondering could Montenegro be in better situation if monarchy would had restored after independence referendum or if Yugoslavia wouldn't had ever created and Montenegro would had remained independent.

Well, the King has some recognition, and he can even sign diplomatic document if the President authorizes him to. It's kinda like Romania, the pretender is still considered as King/Queen, but has no official status. The have as luch power as Queen Elizabeth II when you think about it : they just have to nod their head and they can change the course of events, because people will listen to them.


And about the genral topic, I guess that Montenegro could find some way as a new San Marino, never fighting wars, following it's own policy ... it could be a bit like Japan, becoming a cultural superpower through opening after volunterely secluding for a long time. I a not sure, but the best schemee I see for Montenegro is :

1 : conquering some Yugoslav territories or getting them after independantist revolts, but only on the Ottoman side, by helping people to revolt.
2 : find some way to get Austrian protection by promising to never annex any territory of the Hapsburg Monarchy nor supporting rebels
3 : after WWI (it will probably not butterfly it) when Austria Hungary gets dismantled, Montenegro say that they promised not to take Hapsbug lands, and ask for perpetual neutrality, Hapsburg are welcomed in the country, as well as some German nobility (but not the Royal family, they would go to Netherlands like OTL I guess).
4 : being insanely secluded and create it's own Montenegrin culture that would incorporate Slavic elements from the people, but also German element from the German intelligentsia that arrived with nobility. Then, people would not be interested in joining nor quitting Montenegro, because they are no Yugoslavs anymore but some akward but still pleasant blend.
5 : not siding with anyone, either by Swiss, Swede, or wrapping themselves in a ball way, hoping it will be over soon, while maybe some old Germans would try to extract their friends from Germany if they are threatened by Nazis/Soviets/Allies
6 : being respected as neutral during Yalta
7 : being an open door during Cold War, and therefore quiting it's seclusion.
 
Montenegro always struck me as a bit of a lone swiss canton with religious leadership.
Making it stronger probably requires neighbouring similar cantons which is difficult considering Ottoman rule and neighbouring polities. Difficult in that changing them makes it not "Montenegro" but more a coastal SerboCroat state.
Best way to create a more independent Pomorje might be either a weaker but longer lasting Kingdom of Bosnia or an initially stronger Bosnia that later collapses leaving the coast independent but able to defend itself.
 
Montenegrin forces advanced to Scutari and intended to annex it as a seaport, but the powers under pressure made them withdraw in order to give it to Albania.

So, there you have a potential massive change to their territory
 
Could Montenegro become the nucleus of a Serb state? I don't think so, considering Serbia was initially centred around Belgrade, but could a larger Serbian revolt for whatever reason result in the Montenegrin dynasty become the rulers of Serbia?
 
If Montenegro had a larger population both in size compared to OTL Montenegro and ATL Montenegro's neighbours, then it's power would be enlarged.
 
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