Bosnia-Herzegovina
became part of the Turkish Ottoman Empire in 1389. Over the years
Serbs living in the area made several attempts to obtain independence
from Turkey. Revolts in 1821, 1831 and
1837 ended in failure. Armed insurrection against Turkish rule in
1874 was also unsuccessful. However, the Serbs living in Bosnia now
had a powerful supporter in Russia.
When Russia defeated Turkey in 1877, it forced the Turkish government
to promise independence to Serbia and
Rumania, autonomy to Bulgaria
and reforms to Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Other European powers became concerned about the growth of Russian
influence and in 1878 held the Congress of Berlin. The settlement
reached at the conference resulted in independence for Serbia
and Rumania and autonomy for Bulgaria.
However, Bosnia-Herzegovina came under the control of Austria-Hungary.
In 1908 this was consolidated when the territory was added to the
Austria-Hungarian Empire.
The population of Bosnia and Herzegovina at this time was about two
million. Over 40 per cent were of the Serb-Orthodox faith, 30 per
cent were Moslems and about 25 per cent were Roman Catholics. The
remainder were Jews and Protestants. Most of the Serb-Orthodox group
were Serbs who favoured union with the state of Serbia.
Unhappy with Austria-Hungarian rule,
some joined terrorist organizations such as the Black
Hand group.
In 1911 Bogdan Zerajic attempted to assassinate General Varesanin,
the Austrian governor of Bosnia. Zerajic failed and so did Muhamed
Mehmedbasic when he tried to kill General Oskar
Potiorek, Governor of the Austrian provinces of Bosnia-Herzegovina
in 1914. However, later that year, another member of the Black Hand
group, Gavrilo Princip, assassinated
Archduke Franz Ferdinand, Inspector
of the Austro-Hungarian Army and heir
to the throne.
Created on ... août 20, 2003