the beginnings of ottoman-german partnership - Bilkent University

war. However, Russia could not support it, because it was not ready for a major war
after its defeat by Japan in the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905. Without real
support from the Powers, therefore, the Ottoman Empire finally consented to the
annexation in return for an indemnity, though its faith in the willingness of the
Powers to live up to their treaty obligations was further shattered.
The Austria-Hungarian annexation of Bosnia ended without causing a major
war, but it created many problems for the future. Oral Sander claimed that it was the
beginning of the crises and defeats, which would erase the Ottoman Empire from
history. 70 In the Balkans, Bulgaria and Serbia began to pursue aggressive policies,
which would eventually lead to the Balkan Wars. In the international arena,
humiliated Russia 71 had no option but to join the Entente, which had been concluded
by the French and the British in 1904. With the secret treaty of Racconigi in 1909,
Italy agreed to support the Balkan status quo in case of an Austrian threat, in return
for Russia’s recognition of its interests in Tripoli.
The alliances were complete. The Russian-French Dual Alliance of 1893,
the Anglo-French Entente of 1904, the Moroccan crisis of 1905, the Anglo-Russian
Convention of 1907 and the Reval Meeting of 1908 between England and Russia
combined with the Bosnian crisis roughly formed the blocs for a total major war:
Germany and the Austria-Hungarian Empire on one side, and France, Great Britain
and Russia on the other.
The second Moroccan crisis in 1911 made sure that both sides were ready
for war. The Agadir crisis also impelled Italy to move upon Tripoli by opening the
way to the French protectorate of Morocco. Italy’s conquest and annexation of
70
Sander, p. 252.
71
Russia’s attention turned from the Far East to the Balkans again with the annexation of Bosnia by
Austria-Hungary.
40