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The Reasons why the Balkans were Crucial for Russian Expansi

Autocracy became an essential feature of the foreign policy from 1613 when the Romanov family replaced the Muscovite dynasty. During the reign of Nicholas II, the autocratic principle was not fully exercised, leading to the downfall of Tsarist Russia. Autocracy was difficult to maintain because many European countries were undergoing revolutions to overthrow their oppressive regimes such as the Bourbon dynasty in France. Orthodoxy refers to the support of the Russian Orthodox Church in government issues. The church was an essential part of Russian politics because the majority of people followed the principles of the religion and would support the government if it used common principles. Since the majority of the people followed religious rules, they believed that the preservation of these rules was imperative. Furthermore, the Russian citizens contempt with the government as long as the Orthodox faith had significance in the foreign policy. The importance placed on religion can be seen through the nickname for Moscow as the "Third Rome" and the "new, uncorrupted, heart of Christendom" . Nationality refers to belief that the Russian culture is the best culture. Nationality helped Russia to stay together as a country because the citizens believed that their way of life was superior and that drastic change was unnecessary. The policies of Pan-Slavism which is the brotherhood of Slavic people and Orthodox Christians were part of the nationalist spirit which was determined to keep Russia strong by its culture and religion.
             The foreign policy called for a growth in power by expansionism. In order to keep the support of the Russian public, the Tsar boasted about the accomplishments of the country. He succeeded in keeping support by using expansionism in his foreign tactics to gain prestige in the European society. For a country to obtain a colony, it was seen as major accomplishment. Every time Britain expanded further into the African continent, they gained the reputation as an imperialistic country which was accompanied by prestige and the acknowledgement of that countries" power.


Essays Related to The Reasons why the Balkans were Crucial for Russian Expansi

1. The Balkans

Up until the early 20th century, the Balkan States were controlled by the Ottoman Empire; however, due to the decline of their power and prestige, the Balkan States found an opportunity to gain independence. ... The revolt spread like wild fire through the Balkan peninsula and with the aid of Russia, Turkey was defeated. ... The major powers' fears were appeased with the Treaty of London. ... With the decline of Bulgaria and Turkey in the Balkans, the Serbs were able to gain a great deal of power in the area. ... Through the strong patriotism in the Balkan peninsula, wars were fought and ...

  • Word Count: 786
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2. First Would War and July 5, 1914

Austria wished an excuse for a war with Serbia, because had interests in the Balkans where the nationalism sentiment, headed by Russian Emperor, has been risen prior the war. While the Russian general mobilization insured that the Balkan war would become a general European conflict, German historian Fritz Fischer has pointed out that this was the final straw for Berlin only because 'the Central Powers were bent on a European war and, for domestic political considerations, needed a pretext for starting it' (3). ... Russia was a protector of the Slavs with interests in the Balkans a...

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  • Approx Pages: 8
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3. The Causes of World War One

When German Chancellor Bethmann-Hollweg was asked why war broke out he replied with a sigh "Oh - if I only knew!" ... This alliance seemed reasonable for a two reasons. Firstly, both Russia and France were alarmed by the expansion of the German Empire. ... France and Britain were torn between supporting their ally Russia and protecting their own commercial, naval and colonial interests in the Balkans. ... In short the Balkans were ready to explode once more. ...

  • Word Count: 1729
  • Approx Pages: 7
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: High School

4. The Causes of World War I

The rivalries and tensions that were formed between the two opposing alliances can be seen in the different cases of the Balkan crises. The Balkans were a particularly useful bit of territory because aside from the industrial goods that can be extracted, the Balkans offered access to the Mediterranean Sea. The first Balkan crisis was a conflict between Austria and Russia. ... Austria's presence in the Balkans had become noticeable and Russia was made to look like a fool. ... Furthermore, Russia and Serbia, again, were portrayed as fools. ...

  • Word Count: 1892
  • Approx Pages: 8
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

5. WW1

Austria-Hungary was anxious to prevent Russian encroachment in the Balkans. This aim would be best served by the elimination of Serbia, Russia's Balkan ally. ... France, Russia and Great Britain were alarmed at the way the balance of power had in Europe had altered by the formation of the German Empire. ... The formation of the Entente Cordiale and the Franco-Russian alliance worried the German government as they felt they were becoming encircled by the France, Russia and Great Britain. ... The Balkan wars were very worrying for Austria-Hungary because they challenged the plans of Austria...

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6. Outbreak of WWI

There were different factors leading to the outbreak of WWI from the Balkans, such as their land, who they were being occupied by, and how the Balkan people acted. ... Occupied for centuries by the Romans, Turks, Austrians, and Hungarians, the Balkan people were forced to adopt the methods of irregular warfare in the struggle against them. ... Russia and France were also allied to Great Britain. ... They had invaded France and Belgium, which both were in the Triple Entente, Russia, and with a growing Navy size, threatened Britain. ... All of this of course, was the causes, reasons, and events,...

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7. cause of ww1

This was seen as the reason for the assassination of Ferdinand and his wife. ... Within the Balkans, the Slavic people were rising up against Austria-Hungary who had annexed Serbia and not allowed the independent state that the Slavs desired. Russia, who also consisted of Slavs, was involved due to its ethnic ties to the Slavs residing in the Balkans. Britain and Germany both developed interest in the area for the same reasons. ... The Germans were sticking to a prior plan known as the Shlieffen plan. which involved Germany going to war with France and Russia. ...

  • Word Count: 1859
  • Approx Pages: 7
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

8. Russia July Crisis

THE JULY CRISIS After 1907, as we have seen, Russia's foreign policy drifted toward cooperation with Britain, hostility to Germany, as well as to pursuing a strong Slavophile (i.e., pro-Serb) policy in the Balkans. ... This arose out of Slavic concern for the Orthodox Christians in Macedonia (part of remaining Turkish territory in the Balkans) who were suffering persecution by the Turks. ... Accordingly, an emissary was sent to Berlin bearing the emperor's letter outlining the Austrian determination to effect "the isolation and diminution" of Serbia as well as detailing the da...

  • Word Count: 2434
  • Approx Pages: 10
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

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