The Annexation crisis of 1908 as a turning point for Serbia’s foreign policy

Abstract

The article is devoted to one of the most important events in the history of the Balkan peninsula, namely the Annexation crisis of 1908. The author contemplates key points of the crisis and the details of the negotiation process, in which Austria-Hungary and Russia took active part. Besides that, special attention is dedicated to the impact of the Annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1908 on the policy of the Serbian state aimed at liberating and uniting all lands populated by Serbs, the Bosnian lands included. The Annexation and its subsequent recognition by the Ottoman Empire destroyed these plans. As a result, Serbia’s course of foreign policy was revised and from that moment on Serbia had to focus on accession of another area with Serbian population — Kosovo. In addition, reactions of other concerned country, Montenegro, are dwelt upon. Together with Serbia, it opposed the actions of Austria-Hungary. Cetinje was hoping for a compensation and was waiting for Russia’s support. The discovery in the State Archive of Austria of the unpublished memoire of an Austro-Hungarian politician Leopold von Berchtold (1863–1942) who was a witness to these events, enabled the author to have a closer look at the attitudes of Russia and Austria-Hungary who agreed to maintaining the status quo before the crisis. During the crisis, Berchtold was the ambassador of the Dual Monarchy in Saint Petersburg and could witness the Russia’s reaction to the actions of Vienne. The article also takes into account the published memoire of the Russian diplomat and foreign Minister of the time S. D. Sazonov.