Иза фронта – живот у престоници уочи и током рата за ослобођење и независност 1876. године

Abstract

Рат за државну независност припреман је дуго, а одлука о рату донешена је након пуних десет месеци размишљања и припрема у државном врху. Стога ратна прокламација од 30. јуна 1876. није била изненађење за било кога. Понајмање је рат могао изненадити житеље престонице Кнежевине Србије, Београда. Од када је великом дипломатском акцијом кнеза Михаила 1867. године исељен турски гарнизон из београдске тврђаве, престоница је постала искра политичког, научног, друштвеног и културног живота Србије. Још увек са скромним бројем житеља који није досезао ни тридесет хиљада људи, Београд је, у време Источне кризе (1875–1878), као престоница, био највећи и најзначајнији центар у земљи, место где су се доносиле најважније политичке одлуке, али и стециште дипломатских, хуманитарних организација, страних дописника, официра.

With the publication of the war proclamation, a state of war began. Special measures for living in the capital also came into force. No one could come into the city without the approval of the police authorities in Belgrade. Tavern owners had limited working hours and had to close their shops at 10:30 p. m. After the designated time nobody was not allowed to be outside of the homes. The authorities called on the citizens of Belgrade to “obey the law” and respect order. During the war, not a single incident was recorded in the capital. On June 29, 1876, the citizens of Belgrade saw off the Prince who left city to join his army. People were waiting for news from the battlefield with high hopes. In the capital, where the war was advocated the loudest, the fighting spirit waned at the first halt on the front. Public opinion underestimated the strength of the Ottoman army and hoped that the Serbian army would reach Sarajevo during the night. Raising morale had to be approached urgently. This was done thanks to the brave women of the capital. Ladies in the capital quickly organized a hospital for the wounded. They collected charitable contributions, medical materials, and cared for the wounded. These were wives and daughters of senior officers, ministers, merchants, doctors, and teachers. The activity of the Red Cross Society also came to life. In the most critical moments and devastation of the eastern and southern parts of the country, the inhabitants of the capital had worked together and in solidarity, which was manifested publicly and organized for the first time in recent Serbian history.