![]() ![]() Although the Balkan Question did not affect Germany directly, his view was that any conflict between the major European powers that threatened the status quo was against German interests. The Congress was attended by Britain, Austria-Hungary, France, Germany, Italy, Russia and the Ottoman Empire.īismarck’s prime concern was that nothing should upset Germany’s growing international status. He was also anxious to preserve the League of Three Emperors. As a result the German Chancellor, Otto von Bismarck called the Congress of Berlin to discuss the partition of the Ottoman Balkans among the European powers. The recently united Germany simply wanted to keep the peace and prevent its allies from going to war with each other. ![]() Although Austria-Hungary had acquired Bosnia Herzegovina, it was unhappy that Russia had usurped its right to control the Balkans. France still harboured resentment over Russia’s role in the defeat of Napoleon and was trying to re-establish itself after its defeat in the Franco-Prussian War.įrance did not want to see any Russian interference in the Mediterranean that could possibly harm her interests in Palestine. ![]() Britain even went so far as to threaten Russia with war if it occupied Constantinople. Not only by the growth of nationalism among the Balkan states, but with the Suez Canal now open, there was deep concern that a growing Russian influence in the region would interfere with the important route to India. This included Macedonia, giving it access to the Aegean Sea and expanding Russian influence over the entire Balkan region.īritain was horrified. A large Principality of Bulgaria was created as an autonomous vassal of the Sultan. Montenegro, Romania and Serbia were recognised as independent and all three were expanded. Germany had little interest in the Balkans, but Austria-Hungary was promised Bosnia Herzegovina to ensure its victory benevolent neutrality.įollowing the war and Russia’s decisive victory in 1878, the Treaty of San Stefano liberated almost all of the Ottoman European territories. This obviously contravened the terms of the Treaty of Paris and Russia made use of its alliance with Austria-Hungary and Germany through its membership of the League of Three Emperors that had been established in 1873. Following these “Bulgarian Atrocities”, Russia acted the part of protector of the Slavs and Christians and invaded Turkey. ![]() However, in 1876 there was a Bulgarian uprising and this was savagely crushed by the Turks. This was designed to stop Russia from interfering in the Turkish Empire if it felt that Christians were being persecuted. In addition, the Treaty made Russia give up its claim to be the protector of the Sultan’s Christian subjects. The Treaty provided no clear answer or guidance in solving what had come to be universally known as the “Eastern Question”.Īlthough the Treaty gave nominal independence to Moldavia and Wallachia, which in 1861 became the Kingdom of Romania, this remained very much an Ottoman puppet state, providing a very useful buffer against Russia. In the short term the Treaty of Paris allowed a temporary stability to return to Europe, but in the longer term it ignored the growing nationalist sentiments in a number of the Ottoman subject nations. The subsequent Treaty of Paris, signed on 30th March 1856, considerably reduced Russian influence in the region by making the Black Sea neutral, closing it to all war ships and prohibiting the presence of armaments on its shores. The legacy of the French defeats at Trafalgar and Waterloo caused the British to be constantly concerned that the French would try to seek revenge and for their part the French never hesitated to blame the British whenever there was a military setback. We have already looked at the causes of the Crimean War and the way that Britain and France united to stop Russia from expansion.Īlthough on the face of it Britain and France had been united against the common foe, in fact they were far from being friends. YPRES - To understand the reasons for the outbreak of the Great War in 1914, it is necessary to have some knowledge and understanding of the diplomatic wrangling that took place many decades earlier throughout Europe and the Balkan region.Ī major concern throughout in the post-Napoleonic era was the maintenance of a “Balance of Power” that has been mentioned a number of times in these articles. ![]()
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