THE EASTERN CRISIS OF 1875-78 AND SERBIA'S PLACE IN IT

Abstract

The Eastern Crisis was a highly significant period in the history of international relations and international law, playing a crucial role in the emergence of an independent Serbian state and its future position in the power dynamics of the Balkans. This term refers to the period beginning with the weakening of the Ottoman Empire in the Balkans and lasting until its almost complete withdrawal from this part of Europe in 1912.

Between 1875 and 1878, the confrontations among the great powers in the Balkans were extremely intense, leading to major military conflicts (Serbia-Turkey, Russia-Turkey), as well as the occupation of Bosnia and Herzegovina by Austria-Hungary.

At the beginning of this period, Serbia was still a vassal state within the Ottoman Empire, but it had a well-established and stable governmental structure with aspirations focused on the liberation and unification of the Serbian people. The uprising in Bosnia and Herzegovina further accelerated these ambitions. Russian Pan-Slavist circles played a significant role in hastening the outbreak of war between Serbia and Turkey, with Russian volunteer forces under the command of General Chernyaev having a particularly influential role. Despite Serbia’s failure in the First Serbian-Turkish War in 1876, the ultimate outcome was the defeat of the Ottoman Empire—first by Russia, which entered the war against the Ottomans on April 24, 1877, and then by Serbia, whose revitalized army advanced deep into the still-occupied Serbian territories, entering Gračanica on February 5, 1878, following the liberation of Vranje and Gnjilane. The end of the war brought the interests of the great powers to the forefront, leading to the occupation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the establishment of the San Stefano Bulgaria. The final resolution of these conflicts was reached at the Congress of Berlin.