Congress of Berlin 1878
Topic: The Rise of Nationalism in Europe · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
The Congress of Berlin was a meeting of the great powers of Europe in 1878, hosted by the German chancellor Otto von Bismarck. Russia had defeated the Ottoman Empire and forced on it the Treaty of San Stefano (1878), which created a large Bulgaria under Russian influence. Britain and Austria-Hungary objected, so the Congress rewrote that treaty. It matters because the new borders left Balkan peoples unhappy and the great powers suspicious of each other.
Example
At Berlin, Serbia, Montenegro and Romania were recognised as independent states. Bulgaria was made much smaller. Austria-Hungary was allowed to occupy Bosnia-Herzegovina, which angered Serb nationalists.
Don't confuse with
- Treaty of Vienna (1815): this was hosted by Metternich after Napoleon's fall. It restored the old monarchies, while Berlin dealt with the Ottoman Balkans.
Related concepts
- Imperialism
- Balkan problem
- Ottoman Empire
- Sick man of Europe
- Eastern Question
- Crimean War
- Pan-Slavism
- Austria-Hungary
- Young Turks
- Balkan Wars 1912-1913