WORLD HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -Background. Austria-Hungary precipitated the Bosnian crisis of 1908–09 by annexing the former Ottoman territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which it had occupied since 1878. This angered the Kingdom of Serbia and its patron, the Pan-Slavic and Orthodox Russian Empire.

Detailed explanation-2: -Austria-Hungary objected to Serbia’s desire to be an independent state because the empire wanted to retain control over the Slavic lands and peoples it governed in the Balkans. Austro-Hungarian officials were very keen on repressing the nationalist urges of Serbians within their empire.

Detailed explanation-3: -What were the reasons for the hostility between Austria-Hungary and Serbia? Austria-Hungary feared that Serbia’s growth would incite Slavic peoples in its territories to revolt; Serbia resented Austria-Hungary annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina after the Ottoman Turks left because Serbia wanted the territory.

Detailed explanation-4: -Austria had long seen Serbia as a threat to the stability of its multi-ethnic empire. Austria’s annexation of Bosnia in 1908 and Serbian ambitions to unify south-east Europe’s Slavic people further strained relations in this volatile part of Europe.