This article is part of the series The Road to World War I .

Background

Since 1878 Austria was allowed to govern the Turkish provinces of Bosnia and Herzegovina. In Serbia, a pro-Russian government was elected in 1903, posing a first threat to Austrian hegemony over Bosnia and Herzegovina. During the “Young Turk” movement of 1908, the Sultan was overthrown, throwing the Turkish Empire in turmoil and diverting its attention from foreign to domestic issues.

Austrian attitudes towards Bosnia

The Habsburg Empire faced a serious threat of disintegrating due to the rise of nationalism in the Balkans. At the same time, the Balkans were of key interest to Austria: increasing her own sphere of influence while simultaneously decreasing that of Russia was a key aim in foreign affairs.

By annexing Bosnia Austria hoped to

• extend her own sphere of influence in the Balkans
• weaken Russia’s influence in the region
• humiliate Serbia and to choke her growing influence on Bosnia’s Slav population

Turkish attitudes towards Bosnia

Although the provinces were governed by Austria, they were technically speaking still part of the Turkish Empire. That Turkey had not abandoned these territories was shown by her invitation of Bosnian representatives to participate the new Turkish Parliament.

Russian attitudes towards Bosnia

The Russians believed themselves the natural leaders of the Slav people. Similarly to Austria, Russia desired to increase her sphere of influence in the Balkans while containing that of Austria.

Serbian attitudes towards Bosnia

Serbia, who had gained independence from Turkish rule, was eager to annex the provinces of Bosnia and Herzegovina, if not more of the Austrian Empire, herself.

The Annexation of Bosnia Herzegovina

Before annexing the provinces, the Austrian Foreign Minister contacted his Russian counter-part, Izvolski. In a secret agreement, it was arranged that Russia would accept Austria’s annexation in exchange for Austrian support to Russia’s claim for a revision of the “Straits Convention” (so Russian warships could pass the Dardanelles which linked the Black Sea to the Mediterranean). Contrary to Izvolski’s expectations, this was not referred to in an international conference. Austria annexed Bosnia October 6, 1908.

Reactions to the annexation

Turkey and Serbia were outraged and started to mobilise their forces. The Russian government denied knowledge and took Serbia’s side and started herself to mobilise. Consequently, Austria depended on her ally Germany, from which she received full support and an advice to take a “hard line”. Russia, too weak to fight a war, backed down after a German threat. Serbia was alone and backed down too. An international meeting was held and the annexation confirmed. Turkey received two million pounds compensation for her losses.

Consequences

The annexation brought Austria’s conflict with Russia into the open made each power more determined to “win the next round”. By supporting Austria-Hungary in the Bosnian Crisis, Germany showed that

• she was prepared to mobilise and go to war if necessary for her ally, and
• consequently get involved in Balkan affairs, hence clashing with Russia.

The Russians suffered a grave diplomatic defeat, far greater than the ones suffered by Germany during the Moroccan Crises, and was determined not to be pushed around by Germany and Austria again. A further setback would have discredited her not only of her influence in the Balkans but also in front of her ally France, and consequently launched a programme of military re-construction.

The annexation, contrary to Austria’s hopes, resulted in a further rise of nationalism. Serbia now openly supported South Slav opposition to the Habsburg Empire – best illustrated by the foundations of new terrorist organisations, such as the “Black Hand” in 1911, one of who’s members would trigger the war by assassinating the Arch Duke of Austria in the Summer of 1914.