Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- List of maps
- Preface
- Introduction
- PART I WAR AND NATIONAL CONSOLIDATION, 1887–1941
- Chapter 1 The Balkan national monarchise
- Chapter 2 The Dual Monarchy: Austria-Hungary from 1867 to 1914
- Chapter 3 The end of Ottoman rule in Europe: the Albanian and Macedonian questions
- Chapter 4 World War I
- Chapter 5 The first postwar decade
- Chapter 6 Balkan authoritarian regimes: the outbreak of World War II
- PART II WORLD WAR II AND THE POSTWAR DEVELOPMENTS
- Conclusion
- Bibliography
- Index
Chapter 3 - The end of Ottoman rule in Europe: the Albanian and Macedonian questions
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 30 December 2009
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- List of maps
- Preface
- Introduction
- PART I WAR AND NATIONAL CONSOLIDATION, 1887–1941
- Chapter 1 The Balkan national monarchise
- Chapter 2 The Dual Monarchy: Austria-Hungary from 1867 to 1914
- Chapter 3 The end of Ottoman rule in Europe: the Albanian and Macedonian questions
- Chapter 4 World War I
- Chapter 5 The first postwar decade
- Chapter 6 Balkan authoritarian regimes: the outbreak of World War II
- PART II WORLD WAR II AND THE POSTWAR DEVELOPMENTS
- Conclusion
- Bibliography
- Index
Summary
the ottoman empire
The decisions of the congress of berlin greatly reduced the Ottoman territories in the Balkan peninsula. Although the ability to control the domestic politics of Romania, Serbia, and Montenegro had long been lost, the fact that these states were still part of the empire had given prestige to the Porte as well as some practical advantages in foreign relations. In addition, Thessaly, a part of Epirus, and lands bordering on Serbia and Montenegro had been surrendered. Bulgaria, Eastern Rumelia, Bosnia, Hercegovina, and the Sanjak of Novi Pazar, still under Ottoman suzerainty, were no longer under the direct authority of Constantinople. Nevertheless, despite these severe losses, the empire held extensive Macedonian and Albanian territories, most of Epirus, and Thrace. Hope was also never abandoned that the Habsburg occupation of Bosnia-Hercegovina might at some time be ended and these provinces returned. The question facing the Ottoman government was how the remaining possessions could best be administered and defended against further claims from either the Balkan people or the great powers.
The sultan at the time, Abdul Hamid II, had come to the throne in 1876 at the age of thirty-four at a time of revolution and war. He had seen his two predecessors removed by palace revolts, and he had been forced to wage war with the Balkan states and with Russia during his first year in power. These events obviously made a deep impression on his attitude toward the powers and those around him.
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- History of the Balkans , pp. 79 - 105Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 1983