A Montenegrin in battle dress, circa 1860

In 1799, faced with major uprisings in the Balkans, the Ottoman Empire recognised Montenegro’s full independence. However, the successors of Sultan Selim III challenged this decision and sought to regain control of the principality.
Over the years, several Ottoman attacks were repelled, notably with the help of Austria. Montenegro’s independence and borders were recognised internationally at the Congress of Berlin in 1878.