The night that changed Serbia: Was the May Overthrow a restoration of democracy or a pattern of political violence in Serbia?

Exactly 123 years ago, the dramatic events of the May Overthrow reshaped modern Serbian history, ending the Obrenović dynasty and ushering in the Karađorđevićs. While historians acknowledge the coup's pivotal role in democratizing Serbian society and restoring the 1888 constitution, they also point to the problematic legacy of political violence it introduced.

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The May Overthrow was an event of great importance, both because of the removal of the Obrenović dynasty and the return of the Karađorđević dynasty, and because of the return of the 1888 Constitution – events that "introduced Serbia into a period of livelier parliamentarism."

In the night between June 10-11 (Gregorian calendar), a group of about a hundred conspirators, primarily young military officers led by Dragutin Dimitrijević Apis of the "Black Hand" organization, assassinated King Alexander Obrenović, Queen Draga Mašin, and several high-ranking officials. This act not only ended the Obrenović rule but also paved the way for Peter I Karađorđević to ascend the throne.

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One of the important indicators of the positive side of this change is the fact that after the coup, some of the biggest critics of the Karađorđević dynasty – the social democrats, among whom Dimitrije Tucović would hold a prominent place – would be able to restart their party newspaper, Radničke novine, and found their own political party precisely thanks to the legal changes after the coup.

Historian Dr. Miloš Vojinović highlights that the coup facilitated a period of more vibrant parliamentarism. Following the overthrow, critics of the Karađorđević dynasty, like the social democrats, were able to revive their party newspaper, "Radničke novine," and establish their own political party, thanks to legislative changes post-coup. However, Vojinović also notes the inherent contradiction: while Serbia gained political freedoms, the military demonstrated its ability to act as an independent political force, exceeding the bounds of civilian institutions. Memoirs from the time reveal how easily the conspiracy spread, fueled by the king's unpopularity, and how the military intruded into political discussions.

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The violent murder of the king and queen created a serious contradiction. Namely, Serbia gained more political freedoms, but at the same time, the army showed that it could act as an independent political actor, above civilian institutions.

Dr. Milivoj Bešlin concurs that the May Overthrow was a significant event that opened avenues for democratization. The restoration of the 1888 constitution was a key outcome. Yet, the violent method of the assassinations cast a long shadow, creating a precedent for political instability and the military's undue influence in state affairs, a tension that would continue to shape Serbia's political landscape.

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The May Overthrow, therefore, opened space for more modern and fuller parliamentarism, but at the same time permanently burdened it with the legacy of that violent event.