Eastern Question

The international and diplomatic problems associated with the weakness and eventual collapse of the Ottoman Empire during the 18th and 19th centuries. Most international disputes arose over the future of the Empire's Balkan possessions, where both Russia and Austria‐Hungary were interested parties, and over control of the Bosporus where the European naval and Mediterranean powers were anxious to prevent the Russians having access rights for their fleet.

Crises occurred as a result of the Russo‐Turkish wars in the 18th century, the Greek War of Independence, and a series of disputes over Egypt and the Balkans. The Congress of Berlin 1878 provided a partial settlement of the Balkan question, but further disputes gave rise to the Bosnian crisis 1908 and the first two Balkan Wars 1912–13. The Ottoman Empire was finally dismantled after its support for the Central Powers and subsequent defeat in World War I.