Transcript 3a_Eastern_Crisis

How did events in the Balkans lead to a
crisis between the Great Powers?
Background: The Ottoman
Empire
The Ottoman Empire
had once been a
great power.
At its height in 1683,
its borders stretched
from Europe,
including the
‘Balkans’ into Asia
Minor and across
parts of North Africa
But by the end of the19th Century it
was ‘the sick man of Europe’
Ruling such a diverse range of peoples
– Slavs, Turks – was proving difficult.
The co-existence of many different
races and religions, Muslim and
Christian, was a source of great tension
which often sparked bitter uprisings.
What problems could arise if the of the
sick man of Europe actually died?
Any solutions to this problem?
The Ottoman Empire by 1870 –
What was at stake? What was up
for grabs?
Control of ‘European Turkey’ –
(includes Bulgaria and Bosnia).
Important trade routes
of Black Sea and
Straits of
Constantinople leading
to Mediterranean Sea
Access to Suez Canal
and Persian Gulf
Germany
Having consolidated her position after the Franco-Prussian War,
she was now emerging as a dominant European power.
However, she was concerned about potential threats to her
power; most notably from France, with its continued desire for
‘ravanche’, and also from growing friction between Russia,
Austria-Hungary over the fate of the Balkans.
Her geographical position poses a significant threat, sandwiched
as you are between other great European powers – what would
be the outcome of an alliance between France and Russia? or
France and Austria-Hungary??
Russia
In recent years, Russia’s attention has increasingly focused on
the Balkans.
As leader of the Orthodox Church, she is morally obliged to
protect the Christian Slavs currently ruled there by Muslim
Turks.
Within Russia there is much sympathy for the ideas of ‘PanSlavism’ or ‘Slav nationalism’ currently brewing in the Balkans.
The crumbling Ottoman Empire also provides tempting
opportunities to expand your territorial control of the Black Sea
and Straits of Constantinople.
Great Britain
Bismarck commented that ‘England should take the lead in the
Eastern Question’.
It is certainly true that Britain was concerned by the possible
growth of Russian influence over the Balkans and
Constantinople. This could alter the balance of trading power in
the Mediterranean, Black Sea and, by access to the Suez Canal,
the wider world!
Another concern is Germany’s growing industrial and military
power since unification in 1871.
Austria-Hungary
Main concern is the growing spirit of Pan-Slavism or Slav
Nationalism in the Balkans, bordering Austria-Hungary. This
could undermine the stability of her own empire.
The biggest threat comes from Russia, who has
expansionist plans for the Balkans and is encouraging the
Slavs in the region.
Situation 1: Initial thoughts?
Any ideas about how would Germany might
make her own position in Europe more secure?
Whom do she sees as potential allies or threats?
Outcome 1
After a series of positive meetings
between the German Kaiser,
Habsburg (Austro-Hungarian)
Emperor and Tsar of Russia, the
THREE EMPERORS LEAGUE
(Dreikaiserbund) was formed in
1873.
Under this vague alliance, the
three powers pledged to consult
each other over issues that might
affect peace and stability.
Situation 2: The Eastern Crisis
of 1875-6
Tensions with
Turkish rule erupted
in 1875-76 with a
series of
demonstrations in
Bosnia and
Herzegovina which
then spread to
Bulgaria.
Outcome 2
Both Russia and Austria-Hungary
pledged to honour the terms of the
Dreikaiserbund, but the mood was
tense particularly in Russia
At this stage no other powers became
involved in war.
Situation 3 1876: The
Bulgarian atrocities
According to reports, in 1876
the Turks massacred over
10,000 Bulgarians.
News of the terrible atrocities
carried out against Balkan
Christians spread throughout
Europe. Russia faced pressure
from the press and clergy to aid
the Christian Slavs.
However, Russia also faced
economic problems after a
series of bad harvests.
Outcome 3: Russian victory and The Treaty of
San Stephano
Outcome 3:
The signing
of the treaty
of San
Stephano.
Russia declared war on Turkey in April 1877 and by 1878 had
decisively beaten the Turks.
By the terms of the Treaty of San Stephano in March 1878 European
Turkey was reduced to small unconnected territories by the creation
of a ‘Greater Bulgaria’, under Russian occupation for two years, while
Russia herself made some useful territorial gains.
Situation 4: The Congress of
Berlin, 1878
In response to international outrage at the terms of
the Treaty of San Stephano, the great powers agreed
to meet in Berlin to thrash out a new agreement.
Outcome 4: Results of the Berlin
Congress
Greater Bulgaria was divided into three:
the north part, Bulgaria was granted complete independence under Russian
supervision.
the southern part was named Eastern Rumelia and was given self-government under
Turkish control.
The third part, called Macedonia, was returned to Turkish rule.
Russia recovered Bessarabia, which she had lost to Rumania during the Crimean War
Russia also acquired Batum, a valuable port on the eastern edge of the Black Sea, from
Turkey.
Austria-Hungary gained control of Bosnia from the Ottoman Empire.
Britain gained control of the Meditteranean island of Cyprus and claimed the right to
send any warships into the Black Sea when necessary.
The Sultan of the Ottoman Empire agreed to a series of reforms within his country.
Bessarabia (Russia)
Bulgaria (independent
under Russian supervision)
Bosnia (given to Austria-
Eastern
Rumelia
Hungary)
(independent under
Turkish control)
Macedonia (returned to
Turkish rule)