How serious a threat to European peace was the Balkan crisis of 1875-8? Explain your answer.

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Edijana Obiakpani-Guest                                   Mr. Dennis

How serious a threat to European peace was the Balkan crisis of 1875-8? Explain your answer.

By 1875 the Ottoman Empire, ruled by the Turks, was weakening and countries within the Empire were starting to rally for independence. The Turkish Empire mainly consisted of countries in the Balkans, which major European powers were now starting to take an interest in for various different reasons. The main countries involved in this rivalry were Austria-Hungary and Russia, who also had a long history of hostility towards each other. There were also growing tensions between other countries such as Germany and Britain.

The crisis started out as a mere expression of local discontent within the Balkans; however Serbia tried to escalate the situation, turning it into a Slav Crusade against the Turks. There had been a long tension between the Slavs and Turks, due to elements such as religion and nationality; though this incident showed how much the Ottoman Empire was weakening and how the Nationalist feelings were rising. The Turks reacted violently, killing thousands in Bulgaria in 1876 and causing an outcry throughout the rest of Europe. In Russia the atrocities of the Turks caused a major Pan-Slav feeling, resulting in the Russian people putting increasing pressure on the government to fulfil their role as ‘Protector of the Slavic People’.

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The main outcome of a potential war between the Turks and the Balkan people was the possibility of war between Austria and Russia. Russia needed an ice-free port, as well as needing to protect ‘its people’, whereas Austria’s aim in the Balkans was to protect its own Empire from the Nationalist epidemic. In turn, this caused a problem for Germany, who would no doubt have to pick between one of its allies. The other was then very likely to ally with France, making France more confident and probably more willing to seek revenge against Germany, resulting in a war ...

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