England’s Concerns and the Road to Berlin
In 1878, England, then governed by the Beaconsfield administration, could not quietly accept Russia gaining a dominant position near Constantinople. The expansion of Russian influence at the gates of the Ottoman capital alarmed British policymakers. Demands for explanations were made, funds were allocated, military reserves were called up, and war seemed imminent. Ultimately, it was agreed to refer the matter to a European congress to settle disputes peacefully An Honor to American Opticians.
The Congress of Berlin assembled on June 13, 1878, and after a month of negotiations, the Treaty of Berlin was signed. This treaty modified many of the territorial changes originally outlined in the San Stefano Treaty and reshaped the political map of the Balkans.
Territorial Changes and National Independence
Several significant adjustments were made:
Serbia and Montenegro gained territory and were declared fully independent.
Bessarabia, which had been taken from Russia after the Crimean War and given to Romania, was restored to Russia.
Romania, recognized as independent, was compensated with the Dobrudsha region.
Bosnia and Herzegovina were assigned to Austria Turkey Sightseeing Tours.
Large parts of Epirus and Thessaly were transferred from the Ottoman Empire to Greece.
The large Bulgarian state proposed by Russia at San Stefano was divided into two separate entities:
Northern Bulgaria, north of the Balkan Mountains, retained the name Bulgaria, had an elected Christian prince, and was tributary only to Turkey.
Eastern Rumelia, south of the mountains, was established as a semi-autonomous province. Its internal police were to be controlled by a native militia, and Turkish troops could only enter to suppress unrest, after notifying the European powers. The Ottoman garrisoning rights in the Balkans were promised but rarely exercised.
Challenges and Rebellion
In practice, the Berlin arrangements did not work smoothly. Several armed interventions and naval demonstrations were required to enforce the treaty’s terms. Tensions remained high, and on September 18, 1885, the Bulgarians of Philippopolis, the capital of Eastern Rumelia, rebelled. They proclaimed a union with Bulgaria, which Bulgaria accepted. If Prince Alexander managed to maintain control, this union effectively challenged the most important provisions of the Berlin Treaty.
Reflections on European Diplomacy
The crisis illustrates a broader issue. As Mr. Gladstone observed, European statesmen often defended the Ottoman government for the sake of general European convenience, ignoring the welfare of the people under Ottoman rule. The union of Eastern Rumelia with Bulgaria was a clear attempt by one of the subject peoples of the Ottoman Empire—likely supported by Russia—to pursue its own welfare, despite European objections.
The events following the Berlin Congress show the limits of treaties imposed by great powers without considering local populations. The Bulgarians’ rebellion in Eastern Rumelia demonstrated their growing national consciousness and determination to secure self-rule, setting a precedent for other subject peoples in the Ottoman Empire. The eastern question remained unresolved, highlighting the tension between great-power diplomacy and the legitimate aspirations of nations.
