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)
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Important Actors

Major Actors in the Bosnia Crisis included the
following:

Foreign Minister Baron Alois Lexa von Aerenthal of
Austria
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
Foreign Minister Alexander Izvolsky of Russia


Pursued annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina
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


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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

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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