The Eastern Question

The Eastern Question

The Eastern QuestionWhat should happen to the Balkans if the Ottoman Empire disappeared as the fundamental political fact in Southeastern Europe?

The Balkan Peninsula

Mention the countries in the Balkan peninsula

Present South East Europe

The Ottoman Empire

Who wanted control of the region?The Ottoman Empire

The Austrian Empire

Russia

What did the other powers do?Diplomants of other European countries ignored the wishes of their own citizens so why listen to Balkan peasants?

France and Britain changed sides according to their interests in the region and the possible problems caused to their nearby domains.

PowersRussian ambition was a disturbing agent in the aerea. They wanted to gain access to a warm water port in the Black Sea and the Mediterranean.Britains main concern was to protect her interests in India and the trade routes for their products (Industrial Revolution). They provided intermittent support to Ottoman control.

France main interest in the region was the expansion of colonies in Northern Africa and her influence in the middle east. Together with Britain they supported Greek independence.Austria was traditionally an enemy of the Ottoman Empire but they needed their support in the area. They did not want Russia to replace the Ottoman empire as their neighbour in the area.

What were the 4 main episodes in the conflict? (1821-1856)

Greek War of Independence (1821-1832)

The first Mehemet Ali crisis

The second Mehemet Ali crisis

The Crimean War

Greek War of Independence(1821-1832)

Led by properous middle class and merchantsInspired by the ideas of the enlightenmentSupported by most European powersAn independant Greece meant a much stronger resistance to Russian interference in the Balkans.Accepted by Britain, France and finally Russia.Final Independence 1832

First Mehemet Ali Crisis 1832-3Supported by France the sultan claimed Syria as he had not received any benefits from the Greek independence.Russia and Turkey became allies in the event of attacks.Britain disliked the alliance as it might mean the partition of the Empire between Russia and Austria

Second Mehemet Ali Crisis 1839-40Mehemet Ali demanded the possession of Egypt and Syria after the death of the sultan.France supported Ali, Britain supported the Ottoman Empire and the Russians tried to make the British and French fight each other.After the London Convention signed by Britain, Austria, Prussia and Russia only the south of Syria was granted.

Crimean War

The Charge of the Light Brigade at Balaklava by William Simpson (1855), illustrating the Light Brigade's charge into the "Valley of Death" from the Russian perspective.

Officers and men of the 13th Light Dragoons, survivors of the charge, photographed by Roger Fenton

Souvenir picture of the 1904 survivors' reunion

Watch the clip and answer the questionsWhat does each animal represent?What does each animal do?What kinds of jobs can you see?What new inventions appear?What is the name of the building?Is there any person you can recognise?Who are the people who bear gifts? What are these gifts?What flourishes under the monarch?

Peace of ParisThe Treaty of Paris was a truce to the Eastern Question, not a real peace. One clause in the treaty made the Black Sea neutral and closed it to all warships. A second forbade the building of fortifications and the presence of armaments on the shores of the Black Sea. The Black Sea became a military 'no-go' area to prevent Russia intimidating Turkey. These two clauses restored the status quo but proved only to be a truce which lasted until 1870 when Russia began to re-fortify the Black Sea and the Allies were unable to stop them.Russia and TurkeyRussia was made to give up her claim to be the protector of the Sultan's Christian subjects. This return to the status quo required Russia to abandon religious excuses to interfere in the Turkish Empire, but Russia failed to honour this clause in 1876.

Europe and Turkey

Although the Sultan was made to promise to reform his Empire and to become less dependent on the Powers, he did nothing, and the Ottoman Empire continued to crumble and disintegrate which was the cause of the Bulgarian rising. Turkey was dismembered piecemeal in the nineteenth century as European areas won independence: Moldavia and Wallachia became the Kingdom of Romania in 1861Bulgaria became autonomous in 1878Austria-Hungary took over the administration of Bosnia-Herzegovina in 1878Russia was made to move out of the Black Sea area by being deprived of parts of Bessarabia.

Crimean War Memorial