Bosnian Crisis
Explain the causes and consequences of the 1908 Bosnian crisis
Austria-Hungary after 1878 Treaty of Berlin was allowed to occupy Bosnia and Herzegovina. Certain events happened to make Austria-Hungary feel threatened that she would no longer be able to ‘rule’ Bosnia and Herzegovina. The 1908 Bosnian crisis happened due the fact that Austria-Hungary wanted to and did annex Bosnia and Herzegovina. After the annexation, many problems were made, some were solved others weren’t. Austria-Hungary feeling threatened caused the Bosnian crisis, and her way of dealing caused the consequences of the crisis.
The annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina happened because the Austro-Hungarian government felt threatened. The Treaty of Berlin in 1878 allowed Austria-Hungary to occupy and run Bosnia and Herzegovina. Bosnia and Herzegovina both bordered Serbia, therefore, a big part of the population were Serbs. This is why the Serbian government hoped to ‘win’ Bosnia and Herzegovina. It would mean they would have more land as well as more nationalists. Events happening in the Turkish Empire made the government believe that it was necessary to end the opposition of the Southern Slavs and have them onboard to the Emperor’s rule. The 1908 Young Turk Revolution forced the Turkish Emperor to accept the creation of a constitutional government. This was a step in the right direction for Turkey, however, a step in the wrong direction for Austria-Hungary. It would mean that Bosnia and Herzegovina could have a chance to have a say in the Empire or even become independent. Therefore, Austria-Hungary felt threatened about her occupation in the province. Her fears were right, as because of the new government representatives of Bosnia and Herzegovina were invited to the Turkish parliament. As soon as this happened, Austrian Foreign Minister, Aehrenthal decided action needed to be taken urgently. Aehrenthal met with the Russian Foreign Minister, Izvolsky to make a deal. The deal was that if
Austria-Hungary after 1878 Treaty of Berlin was allowed to occupy Bosnia and Herzegovina. Certain events happened to make Austria-Hungary feel threatened that she would no longer be able to ‘rule’ Bosnia and Herzegovina. The 1908 Bosnian crisis happened due the fact that Austria-Hungary wanted to and did annex Bosnia and Herzegovina. After the annexation, many problems were made, some were solved others weren’t. Austria-Hungary feeling threatened caused the Bosnian crisis, and her way of dealing caused the consequences of the crisis.
The annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina happened because the Austro-Hungarian government felt threatened. The Treaty of Berlin in 1878 allowed Austria-Hungary to occupy and run Bosnia and Herzegovina. Bosnia and Herzegovina both bordered Serbia, therefore, a big part of the population were Serbs. This is why the Serbian government hoped to ‘win’ Bosnia and Herzegovina. It would mean they would have more land as well as more nationalists. Events happening in the Turkish Empire made the government believe that it was necessary to end the opposition of the Southern Slavs and have them onboard to the Emperor’s rule. The 1908 Young Turk Revolution forced the Turkish Emperor to accept the creation of a constitutional government. This was a step in the right direction for Turkey, however, a step in the wrong direction for Austria-Hungary. It would mean that Bosnia and Herzegovina could have a chance to have a say in the Empire or even become independent. Therefore, Austria-Hungary felt threatened about her occupation in the province. Her fears were right, as because of the new government representatives of Bosnia and Herzegovina were invited to the Turkish parliament. As soon as this happened, Austrian Foreign Minister, Aehrenthal decided action needed to be taken urgently. Aehrenthal met with the Russian Foreign Minister, Izvolsky to make a deal. The deal was that if
Cited: Wolfson, Robert. Years of Change: European History, 1890-1945. London: E. Arnold, 1978. Print.