15.2.5

The Crisis in the Balkans (1908-1909)

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The Crisis in the Balkans (1908-1909) - 'Eastern Question'

There were concerns that a collapse of the Ottoman Empire in the Balkans could cause tension between Russia and Austria-Hungary. This was the ‘Eastern Question’.

Illustrative background for Slav NationalismIllustrative background for Slav Nationalism ?? "content

Slav Nationalism

  • Nationalism means ‘a sense of national consciousness’.
  • Most of the Serbian and Russian populations were Slav. This meant that the two had a natural bond and similar patriotic feeling.
  • But, Serbia was still part of the Ottoman Empire and many slavs wanted to be free from the Ottoman Empire.
Illustrative background for Austria-Hungary and Balkan NationalismIllustrative background for Austria-Hungary and Balkan Nationalism ?? "content

Austria-Hungary and Balkan Nationalism

  • Austria-Hungary saw Slavs (often found in Serbia and Russia) as an inferior (worse) race.
  • Austria-Hungary opposed Balkan nationalism because it had many Slavic people in its own empire and they might want to break away too.
    • Some Slavs carried out acts of terrorism against Austria-Hungary.
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Road to crisis

  • With the backing of Germany, Austria-Hungary felt confident to move on Serbia.
  • Austro-Hungarian politicians wanted to shut down the threat of Slav nationalism and make an example of Serbia.

Jump to other topics

1The Medieval World: 450-1450 AD

1.1Anglo-Saxon England

1.2The Contest for the English Throne

1.3Conquering the Holy Land, 10-96-1396 AD

1.4King John

1.5The Magna Carta & Parliament

1.6The Black Death

2Worldviews

3The Empire of Mali

4The Renaissance & Reformations, 1500-1598 AD

5The British Empire, 1583-1960 AD

6The Peasants' Revolt

7Religion in the Middle Ages

8Slavery, 1619-1833 AD

9The English Civil War, 1642-1660

10The Industrial Revolution, 1750-1840

11US Independence, 1775-1783

12The French Revolution, 1789-1815

13The British Empire, 1857–1930

14Suffrage

15World War 1, 1914-1918

16The Inter-War Years, 1919-1939

17World War 2, 1939-1945

18The Cold War, 1947-1962

19Civil Rights in the USA, 1954-1975

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