At the signing of the Treaty of Berlin, Austria gained influence over Bosnia and Herzegovina, while Bulgaria fell under the presumed influence of Russia. The current situation in the Balkans hasn’t altered this balance between the two empires. While there may be little objection from the powers on this matter, the methods employed by Austria and Bulgaria have stirred discontent among European governments, causing initial grumbling and complaints that have since subsided. Europe has, nevertheless Austria-Hungary and Bulgaria’s Assertiveness, given its approval to acts that highlight the ineffectiveness of the Treaty of Berlin in restraining political actions in the Balkan Peninsula.
Southeastern Europe revolve
The enduring causes of unrest in Southeastern Europe revolve around the national ambitions and animosities among the region’s diverse races. Cavour’s assertion that nationality is a powerful force in politics finds resonance in the Balkans. The weakness of the Treaty of Berlin lies in its failure to recognize this truth. Over the past decade, the Serb, Bulgar, and Greek populations have vied for numerical supremacy in Macedonia, each aspiring for control when the Ottoman rule recedes. This struggle, coupled with the inefficiency of Turkish governance, has turned Macedonia into a land of lawlessness and outrage Personal Tours Bulgaria.
The ambition of the Serb people to unite with Bosnians and Herzegovinans in the envisioned “Great Serbia” intensified the bitterness against Austria when the provinces were annexed in October, disrupting their aspirations. The ongoing race struggles in the Balkan Peninsula pose a significant challenge to the statesmen of the powers and continue to threaten continental peace.
