Foreign Minister Alexander Izvolsky Of Russia Essay

In 1908, the leaders of Russia and Austria-Hungary arranged to make an agreement that would help both nations achieve their international goals. Foreign Minister Alexander Izvolsky of Russia was looking to re-establish his country’s authority in Europe, which had been damaged after defeat by Japan in a previous war in the Far East (Trueman C. N., 2015). One goal for Baron Lexa von Aehrenthal, Foreign Minister of Austria-Hungary, was to gain better control of his nation’s Balkan territory. After the revolt in Constantinople by a group called the Young Turks in which they took control of the city, Austria-Hungary feared that Bosnia-Herzegovina would be the next to revolt (Schmitt, 1970; Hamilton Herwig, 2003). Aehrenthal was also looking to prove that his nation was more than just a â€Å"satellite of Germany† (Trueman C. N., 2015). To achieve the goals of both parties, Russia agreed to support Austria-Hungary in annexing Bosnia-Herzegovina and, in turn, Austr ia-Hungary was to support the Russian use of the Bosporus and Dardanelle Straits, which had previously been barred. The latter part of this agreement was significant in that it would give Russia the ability to mobilize its navy from the Black Sea and, as previously mentioned, gain access to the British dominated Mediterranean. However, this part of the agreement was never carried out. On October 6th 1908, Austria-Hungary annexed Bosnia-Herzegovina, before Russia was able to make its case for the use of the StraitsShow MoreRelatedRussia Notes as/A2 1881-19147263 Words   |  30 Pages1914 What was Russia like in 1881? †¢ 82% of the population were illiterate peasant farmers. †¢ No technology was used on farms – subsistence farming. †¢ Largest standing army in Europe. †¢ No political parties and the press was heavily censored. †¢ Fierce loyalty to the Tsar – often enforced by brutal secret police. †¢ Royalty owned most of the land – Tsar’s estate was larger than some countries. †¢ 1861 – Tsar Alexander II freed serfs but peasants stillRead MoreThe Assassination of Franz Ferdinand3443 Words   |  14 Pagesdevelopment. It stated that if Austria did this, then they would destroy all illusions of a Russian Pan-Slav party as well as gain support among the Russian Slavs, who would no longer consider Austria a foreign ruler. During this time, there were also conflict between Austria-Hungary and Serbia. Russia supported the Slavic Serbs against Austria-Hungary, therefore creating feelings of hatred between the Austro-Hungarian and the Russian empire. Another concern was that because many Austrians were SlavsRead MoreThe Assassination of Franz Ferdinand3431 Words   |  14 Pagesdevelopment. It stated that if Austria did this, then they would destroy all illusions of a Russian Pan-Slav party as well as gain support among the Russian Slavs, who would no longer consider Austria a foreign ruler. During this time, there were also conflict between Aust ria-Hungary and Serbia. Russia supported the Slavic Serbs against Austria-Hungary, therefore creating feelings of hatred between the Austro-Hungarian and the Russian empire. Another concern was that because many Austrians were Slavs