WI: The Timok Rebellion was successful?

Deleted member 97083

In 1883, a massive rebellion occurred in the Kingdom of Serbia, called the Timok Rebellion, which apparently took over almost half the country before it was crushed by the reformed Serbian Army. Notably this rebellion was radical and anti-bureaucrat, but not completely socialist despite the leading role of the "People's Radical Party". What if this rebellion was successful and the king of Serbia, Milan I, was deposed? How might foreign states react?
 
There was one major danger to the rebellion even if it wins: Austria had a plan to invade Serbia if the rebels successfully overthrow Austria's stooge, Milan. Not sure what the best way to avoid triggering this would be.

One possibility is that the rebels elect Peter Karadjordjevic to the throne. Peter I was the son of a well-known Austrophile prince and believed to be Austrophile himself by Vienna (which was only partially false). This has some chance of staying Vienna's hand; and also gives the rebellion the glamour of a dynastic struggle - something Europe would find much easier to swallow than a radical-democratic (and borderline socialist) revolution.
 

raharris1973

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One possibility is that the rebels elect Peter Karadjordjevic to the throne. Peter I was the son of a well-known Austrophile prince and believed to be Austrophile himself by Vienna (which was only partially false). This has some chance of staying Vienna's hand; and also gives the rebellion the glamour of a dynastic struggle - something Europe would find much easier to swallow than a radical-democratic (and borderline socialist) revolution.

Interesting, if the Karageorgovichi are back in power but under an Austrophile member, could we see decent Austro-Serbian relations deep into the 20th century? After all, the unpopular Obrenovich-Austrian partnership won't fester all the way till 1903, there is no Queen Draga, etc.
 
Interesting, if the Karageorgovichi are back in power but under an Austrophile member, could we see decent Austro-Serbian relations deep into the 20th century? After all, the unpopular Obrenovich-Austrian partnership won't fester all the way till 1903, there is no Queen Draga, etc.

Doesn't seem very likely. The rebels were no fans of Austria. And, even if armed intervention is avoided, Austria itself will not be friendly to any government created by toppling Milan Obrenovic after 1880.

The member in question is the same man as OTL's King Peter, who presided over Serbia after 1903. Needless to say, his perceived Austrophilia was in reality mild and very conditional; and he was not often interested in imposing it onto the government.

Queen Draga was, I think, the smallest of all the problems faced by the Obrenovic dynasty. She could have even been part of a solution, if Alexander was a bit less daft.
 
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