Čučić Vesna: The Republic of Dubrovnik Final Crisis

Vesna Čučić: The Republic of Dubrovnik Final Crisis

The Republic of Dubrovnik experienced its last and greatest crisis in 1806. The crisis was so severe and complex that this centuries-old aristocratic Republic was, for the first time, unable to overcome it. The causes of the crisis were both external and internal. At the end of the 18th and the beginning of the 19th centuries, the Old Continent was in social turmoil, initiated by the French Revolution and the fear of the growing strength of the middle class in European countries. In the East, the Ottoman Empire was weakening. The great powers, particularly Russia and Austria, were working hard to further undermine its strength from within and to make eventual division of it easier. However, their efforts were frustrated by the rise of Napoleon. In his military expedition, he conquered the Eastern Adriatic Coast as well. His aggressiveness became a threat to British colonies, and, as a result, England had approached Russia to become allied with it. In the end, it succeeded.
During European Wars at the end of the 18th and the beginning of the 19th centuries-wars fought mainly because of the Eastern Question- the Republic of Dubrovnik enriched itself from its maritime trade. It was a neutral state, and ships under its flag were able to sail freely; in addition, they were protected by a Ferman granted by the Sultan. This economic prosperity, however, stood in divergence with the internal political situation of the Republic at that time, namely, the commoners, although the main protagonists in the renewal of maritime trade after the earthquake of 1667 were not yet allowed to participate in the Republic’s government. This class was further weakened by the fact that ten of its richest families were accepted into the ranks of the aristocracy. On the other hand, their presence in the governing class of aristocrats led to division among the aristocrats themselves. This division was mainly based on bloodlines and social status. Two groups resulted from this division: the salamankezi and the sorbonezi. Later, the division among aristocrats was also based on their affiliation with the Great European powers: Francophiles, Austrophiles, and Russophiles. The divisiveness among the aristocrats and their continued determination not to share power with the commoners made them less capable of confronting the complex set of problems facing the Republic. An additional factor contributed to the weakness of the aristocratic class. Restrictive marriage laws resulted in an ever-decreasing number of aristocratic descendants.
The strength of the Republic of Dubrovnik was not to be found in its military might but in the wealth of information at its disposal and its skillful use in carrying out its diplomacy with the East and West. It fostered good relations with everyone. It tried to maintain friendly relations with all and to find protectors among them. With those nations that were weak, it always remained cordial and polite and made efforts not to antagonize them. This strategy allowed the Republic to protect and preserve its statehood. Its relations with the Ottoman Empire, Spain, Austria, and the Papal States were especially good. The monetary tribute it paid to the Ottoman Empire since the 15th century served as the basis for its security. It was this very tribute that enabled the Republic to avoid subjugation by the Venetian Republic through the centuries.
The conduct of foreign policy by the Republic at the end of the 18th and beginning of the 19th century was made much more difficultbecause the European political situation changed and became quite complex. Before that period, the Republic was secure in its stable system of protection. However, with the rise of Napoleon and with the continued weakening of the Ottoman Empire, its main protector over the centuries, the Republic could not be so secure any longer. After the Treaty of Pressburg, according to which France gained the whole Eastern coast of the Adriatic, the Republic was formally surrounded by French possessions. However, the actual French possession of this region was delayed by the slow advancement of French troops through Dalmatia. This slow advance, caused by a number of different factors, allowed Russia to make a pre-emptive strike and occupy the Bay of Kotor at the beginning of March 1806. This was yet another ominous sign for the Republic of Dubrovnik. From this point forward and until May 27, the Republic was forced to abandon its foreign policy of neutrality and to choose sides with either the East or the West. It chose the West and allowed the French troops to pass through the City on their way to the Bay of Kotor. This was done with Napoleon’s assurance that the Republic would retain its autonomy.
Following the entrance of the French troops into the City, the war between the French and the Russians ensued. The Russians were allied with the Montenegrin paramilitary forces as well as supported by the neighboring Vlachs-Ottoman subjects who were members ofthe Orthodox Church. The main confrontation between the French and Russian forces took place in the region of Konavle. The fiercest battle engaged in by the French, one which exacted heavy casualties, took place on 17 June 1806 in the area of Brgat. Because of their heavy losses, the French withdrew to the safety of the City walls and remained there, surrounded by the enemy, until the arrival of General Molitor, who broke the siege on 6 July 1806. In the meantime, the allied Russian, Montenegrin and Vlach forces engaged in the wanton destruction of property and the killing of innocent inhabitants in their path. Along with this destruction, they continued to shell the City as well.
The Republic of Dubrovnik did not have much choice as to its course of action in 1806. Without any significant military strength and without the support of the great powers, the Republic, as a small state, found it impossible to remain neutral any longer. The only option open to the Republic was for it to take the side of one of the warring parties. Any other option was but an illusion. The Western option could have had a chance had the French arrived with a larger military force that could have been spread across the Republic’s entire territory. Clearly, neither France nor any other major power had any interest in preserving the independence of the Republic of Dubrovnik. Only Russia had such an interest-and then, only as a temporary measure. Russia was of the mind that its interests would best be served if Napoleon were prevented from possessing the entire Eastern shore of the Adriatic. Meanwhile, the events unfolding on the battlefields were in favor of Napoleon. With the breaking of the siege on Dubrovnik by General Molitor on July 6, the allied Russian and Montenegrin forces were beaten back. By the beginning of October, they were completely driven from the territories of the Republic by General Marmont. By that time, the Republic’s finances were totally exhausted because of wartime obligations and various loans made to the French. The fall of the Republic was imminent.
With the dissolution of the Republic of Dubrovnik by decree of General Marmont on 31 January 1808, the French administrative rule formally began. Some time later, a few of the aristocrats attempted to restore the Republic through a general uprising that had the support of both England and Austria. Both were keen to see the French leave the region. However, the attempt was unsuccessful. Nonetheless, Austria benefited by the attempt inasmuch as it facilitated the expulsion of the French from the territories of Dubrovnik. After the fall of Napoleon, the territory of the former Republic of Dubrovnik was given to the Hapsburg Monarchy by decree of the Congress of Vienna in 1815.