Treaty of Berlin (1878) facts for kids
The Treaty of Berlin was a very important agreement signed in Berlin, Germany, in 1878. It happened after a big meeting called the Congress of Berlin. Many powerful countries were there: the United Kingdom, Austria-Hungary, France, Germany, Italy, Russia, and the Ottoman Empire. They met to change an earlier agreement called the Treaty of San Stefano.
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Big Decisions at the Treaty
This treaty aimed to sort out problems in Europe, especially in the Balkans. The countries wanted to make sure no single country became too powerful. They also wanted to decide the future of lands that used to be part of the Ottoman Empire.
The Future of Bulgaria
One of the biggest discussions was about the country of Bulgaria. The earlier Treaty of San Stefano had made Bulgaria very large. This worried countries like Great Britain and Austria-Hungary. They thought a big Bulgaria would be too close to Russia and give Russia too much power in the region. Russia, however, wanted Bulgaria to be large and strong. The countries at the Congress of Berlin had to find a compromise.
New Independent Countries
The Treaty of Berlin made some big changes to the map of Europe. It officially said that Romania, Serbia, and Montenegro were now completely independent countries. This meant they were no longer under the control of the Ottoman Empire.
The treaty also decided what would happen to the Ottoman province of Bosnia and Herzegovina. This area was given to Austria-Hungary to manage.
What Happened Next
After the treaty, the three new independent states soon became kingdoms. Romania became a kingdom in 1881, Serbia in 1882, and Montenegro in 1910.
Austria-Hungary officially took over Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1908. This decision caused a major problem in Europe, known as the Bosnian crisis. It made tensions rise between the big European powers.
See also
In Spanish: Tratado de Berlín (1878) para niños
