The Treaty of San Stefano was signed by the Russian and Turkish Empires at the end of the Russo - Turkish war of 1878; in it, Serbia and Montenegro received their independence, as did Romania, and all received some measure of aggrandizement. The main point however was the creation of Great Bulgaria which occupied not only the main Bulgarian -speaking areas of the Balkans but Macedonia and portions of what are now northern and eastern Greece. In addition, Russia and Austria were to be accorded administration rights over Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Obviously, this Treaty was not looked favorably on by the majority of Europe, especially Austria and Britain, and so to end the tension which had arisen, a Congress was held in Berlin to settle the matter. As we know, Bulgaria was divided into various districts which had autonomy and the promise of Turkish reforms. Now, what would be the result if:
a) Russia refuses Western interference. Would another war ensue? How would things unfold from 1878 to 1914?
b) Russia barters away everything else EXCEPT Great Bulgaria. They let Austria be sole administrator of Bosnia, they give up pretensions elsewhere (temporarily) in the Balkans, and make promises about not interfering in the new State's development beyond some economic investments. On this point Russia refuses to yield, threatening to withdraw altogether, so the Powers conclude that this is - if not agreeable - certainly better than the danger of a war with far wider scope. Russia still ends up a winner with her new big Bulgaria.
So how do things unfold differently than our timeline with a more pro - Russian outcome???
Thoughts?
Obviously, this Treaty was not looked favorably on by the majority of Europe, especially Austria and Britain, and so to end the tension which had arisen, a Congress was held in Berlin to settle the matter. As we know, Bulgaria was divided into various districts which had autonomy and the promise of Turkish reforms. Now, what would be the result if:
a) Russia refuses Western interference. Would another war ensue? How would things unfold from 1878 to 1914?
b) Russia barters away everything else EXCEPT Great Bulgaria. They let Austria be sole administrator of Bosnia, they give up pretensions elsewhere (temporarily) in the Balkans, and make promises about not interfering in the new State's development beyond some economic investments. On this point Russia refuses to yield, threatening to withdraw altogether, so the Powers conclude that this is - if not agreeable - certainly better than the danger of a war with far wider scope. Russia still ends up a winner with her new big Bulgaria.
So how do things unfold differently than our timeline with a more pro - Russian outcome???
Thoughts?