Great Eastern Crisis

The Great Eastern Crisis (1875-1878) was a conflict involving the decline of the Ottoman Empire and rising nationalist movements in the Balkans. European powers, particularly Austria-Hungary, Russia, and Britain, debated how to handle the turmoil within the Ottomans to protect their interests. Russia aimed to support Slavic and Orthodox Christian populations, while Austria-Hungary sought to limit Serbian and Balkan independence. The crisis escalated with uprisings and diplomatic tensions, culminating in the Russo-Turkish War (1877-1878). The resulting Treaty of Berlin redrew the map of Southeast Europe, weakening the Ottoman Empire and setting the stage for future conflicts.