Revision Diary - iii Morocco and Agadir

1900-1914: Bosnian Crisis

Bosnian Crisis 1908-9.

Make sure you have detailed factual knowledge about AND HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT the following issues and topics:

WHY DID TENSION INCREASE IN EUROPE 1900-1914?

1. A description of the Bosnian Crisis.

2. The effects of the Bosnian Crisis.

The Bosnian Crisis of 1908

Overview

Turkey was weak and corrupt - 'the sick man of Europe'. In 1908 there was a revolution in Turkey, and Austria-Hungary took advantage of this to annex (conquer) Bosnia. This annoyed Serbia - Bosnia was full of Serbs, and Serbia had hoped to take over Bosnia itself. Russia supported Serbia, but Germany supported Austria-Hungary, and Russia and Serbia had to back down.

Facts

1. Serbia had been hoping to get part of Bosnia so it could have a port on the Adriatic Sea and start trading with Europe.

2. The Kaiser boasted that he had stood by Austria 'in shining armour'.

3. There was soon more trouble in the Balkans - the Balkans War of 1912-13.

Results of the Bosnian Crisis

Note that it is arguable the Bosnian Crisis was the main cause of the war.

1. Serbia was angry because Bosnia was full of Serbs - this caused the assassination at Sarajevo.

2. Kaiser Wilhelm was proud that he had helped Austria 'in shining armour' - so he did so after Sarajevo he gave Austria a 'blank cheque', which led to the slide to war in 1914.

3. Russia was angry at having to back down and vowed not to do so again - this caused Nicholas's disastrous decision to mobilise for war in 1914.

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