The Bosnian Crisis European History Davis 1

Key Factors (Causes)  Russia’s defeat in the Russo-Japanese War changed Russia’s focus from Asia to the Balkans where they sought to regain their lost prestige with increased vigor  Aerenthal of Austria and Izvolsky of Russia each had personal goals for their respective countries that they tried to reach (annexations and preservation of peace in the Balkans respectively)

Important Actors  Major Actors in the Bosnia Crisis included the following: Foreign Minister Baron Alois Lexa von Aerenthal of Austria Pursued annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina Foreign Minister Alexander Izvolsky of Russia Allowed annexations to take place, angering the rest of the Russian foreign ministers British Leader Lord Grey Interfered in Russia’s desires to acquire the Straits and would not compensate her for the losses of Serbia and Montenegro, causing escalations in Russian anger at home

Key Points of Crisis  The Russian Tsar would not support Izvolsky when his Foreign Ministers asked about the Tsar’s approving the annexations causing Izvolsky to be shamed  Before another meeting could be called to rediscuss the annexations, Austria annexed Bosnia and Herzegovina  Coupled with the Bulgarian declaration of independence the day before, October 5, it looked like Aerenthal had betrayed Izvolsky  For the remainder of his career Izvolsky worked against the Austrians

Key Points of Crisis (cont)  British stood in the way of Russian expansion in the Straits and in the Balkans, prolonging the conflict  Germany supported Austria, contrary to Bismarck’s policies of supporting Austria only if they were attacked, due to the change in foreign policy

Key Points of Crisis (cont)  Eventually Russia collapsed and asked for a way out  The Germans gave them one but made them pay dearly so while the Germans and Austrians celebrated their new enemy, Russia, decided that it would not be shamed again causing its drastic increase in both military size and efficiency

Implications  All of Europe knew that another major eastern crisis would end in armed conflict and that, due to largely the Schlieffen Plan, it would involve all of Europe as a whole  The Bosnian Crisis effectively split apart Russia and Austria/Germany  It produced a situation in which future disputes would put them at odds with one another  Basically, it set the stage for who would comprise the Allies and who would comprise the Axis powers during WWI and how all of Europe would be involved