Treaty of Berlin (1878)
Historical eventAbout
The Treaty of Berlin, signed on July 13, 1878, was a pivotal agreement that concluded the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878 and reorganized the Balkan region. The treaty was the outcome of the Congress of Berlin, convened by Britain and Austria-Hungary to revise the Treaty of San Stefano, which had granted significant territories to Russia. The Congress was attended by major European powers, including Russia, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, and the Ottoman Empire. It aimed to curb Russian influence in the Balkans and prevent the formation of a large Slavic state. The treaty recognized the independence of Romania, Serbia, and Montenegro, while Bulgaria was divided into the Principality of Bulgaria and Eastern Rumelia, with Macedonia returned to the Ottomans. Austria-Hungary gained control over Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Britain acquired Cyprus. The treaty also restored Russian access to the Black Sea and granted it territories like Kars and Ardahan. It marked a significant shift in European power dynamics, contributing to long-term regional instability that eventually led to the Balkan Wars and World War I.
