1. The near eastern crisis.
The decline of the Ottoman Empire led to the emergence of nationalist movements in the Christian
provinces of the Balkans.
August 1875 - a rebellion broke out in Herzegovina. This was followed by rebellions in Bosnia and
Bulgaria. The bloody suppression led to the Christians fleeing to the lands of Montenegro and
Serbia.
June 1976 - these two states declared war on the Ottoman Empire. By the autumn, their armies had
been defeated.
13 April 1877 - Russia, which was an ally of Montenegro and Serbia, sent its troops to the
Balkans after first making sure that Austria-Hungary was neutral.
31 January 1878 - Clashes occurred in the Caucasus and the Balkans; the Ottoman troops were
defeated on both fronts and the Ottoman Empire requested an armistice (cease fire)