Eastern Question

Definition

The Eastern Question refers to the geopolitical issues and concerns surrounding the decline of the Ottoman Empire and the implications for European powers in the 19th century. As the empire weakened, questions arose about how to manage its territories, influence rising nationalism, and balance power among European nations, creating significant diplomatic tensions.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Eastern Question emerged prominently in the 19th century as various European powers sought to exert influence over the waning Ottoman Empire.
2. Nationalist movements in territories like Greece, Serbia, and Bulgaria were fueled by the desire for independence from Ottoman rule, complicating European diplomacy.
3. The Crimean War highlighted the fierce rivalries among European powers as they vied for control and influence in regions formerly governed by the Ottomans.
4. The Eastern Question also revealed the growing tensions between Russia, which sought access to warm water ports and expansion at the Ottomans' expense, and Western European nations wary of Russian expansionism.
5. The decline of the Ottoman Empire created a power vacuum in Southeast Europe that contributed to rising nationalist sentiments and ultimately led to conflicts like the Balkan Wars in the early 20th century.

Review Questions

• How did the decline of the Ottoman Empire influence nationalist movements in Southeastern Europe during the 19th century?
  • The decline of the Ottoman Empire significantly influenced nationalist movements in Southeastern Europe by providing an opportunity for various ethnic groups to seek independence. As the empire weakened, countries like Greece, Serbia, and Bulgaria began to assert their identities and push for autonomy or outright independence. The disintegration of central authority allowed these national identities to flourish, leading to uprisings and ultimately conflicts that reshaped the political landscape in Europe.
• Evaluate how the Eastern Question shaped diplomatic relations among European powers in the 19th century.
  • The Eastern Question shaped diplomatic relations among European powers by creating a complex web of alliances and rivalries as countries sought to capitalize on the weakening Ottoman Empire. The need for stability led to conferences such as the Congress of Berlin in 1878, where major powers negotiated territorial claims and influence over former Ottoman territories. These diplomatic maneuvers were often fraught with tension, as nations like Russia pursued expansion while others, such as Britain and France, worked to contain that power shift.
• Discuss how the outcomes of the Eastern Question foreshadowed events leading up to World War I.
  • The outcomes of the Eastern Question foreshadowed events leading up to World War I by sowing discord among nations and fostering nationalistic fervor. The decline of the Ottoman Empire resulted in new nation-states emerging from its former territories, which intensified ethnic tensions. Moreover, rivalries among European powers over these new states set a precedent for future conflicts. The alliances formed in response to these tensions ultimately contributed to a precarious balance of power that would unravel with the outbreak of World War I.

Related terms

Balkan Nationalism: A movement promoting the interests and independence of Balkan nations, which arose as a reaction to Ottoman control and led to conflicts and territorial disputes.

Concert of Europe:

A system of international cooperation established after the Napoleonic Wars, aimed at maintaining stability and preventing major conflicts among the great powers of Europe.

Crimean War:

A conflict from 1853 to 1856 involving Russia against an alliance of Britain, France, the Ottoman Empire, and Sardinia, sparked by tensions related to the Eastern Question.