CONSEQUENCES/ SIGNIFICANCE OF THE BERLIN CONGRESS ON EUROPE

i) The Berlin congress saved the Ottoman Empire from disintegration. Russia had conquered the Empire, acquired Bessarabia and instituted the Big Bulgaria. She had also given independence to states like Serbia, Montenegro and Romania. However, the Berlin Congressmen revised the Sanstafeno treaty through which Russia had consolidated her influence in the Ottoman Empire.
Turkey was given back 2 million people and 30,000 square miles of land that she had lost at the Sanstafeno treaty with Russia. Nevertheless, much as Turkey survived, her Empire was reduced by almost a half of her original size and population.
ii) The congress averted war over the question of the Big Bulgaria. The Russian-master minded Big Bulgaria was a big problem to the British and Austrian interests in the Balkans. This had made Austria and Britain to consider fighting Russia and dismantling the Big Bulgaria by force.
However, the Congress of Berlin settled the issue diplomatically although to the dissatisfaction of Russia.
iii) There were some territorial re-adjustments in the political map of Europe. Russia retained
Bessarabia but was asked to quit the Big Bulgaria. Austria was to temporarily occupy and administer Bosnia and Herzegovina pending the restoration of peace and prosperity. Britain acquired Cyprus Island in the Mediterranean Sea which Disraeli called "peace with honour". He was so impressed that when he was asked what he was thinking, he said he was merely enjoying himself. France was given Tunisia and Bismarck of Germany achieved the peace and supremacy that he wanted.
iv) The congress intensified the scramble and partition for Tunisia in Africa. Italy did not gain from Territorial adjustments but was instead advised to leave Tunisia for France. The congress statesmen recommended France to occupy Tunisia yet the Italians had more investments and there were more Italians than French in Tunisia. This intensified the Franco-Italian scramble for Tunisia that only ended in 1881 with the French conquest and occupation of Tunisia.
v) The Berlin congress was unrealistic and contributed to the rise of nationalism in Europe.
Territorial re-adjustments were made at the expense of smaller states like Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina who were denied their independence. Austrian influence was imposed over Bosnia and Herzegovina that were by then dominated by Serbia. This created conflict between Serbia and Austria that climaxed into the Sarajevo assassination and the First World War.
NB: The Austro-Serbian conflict ceased to be a localized affair and led to World War I because it attracted Russia that was a Slav state to Serbia against Austria. It also drew Germany to support Austria because of the Austro-German friendship that was consolidated at the Berlin congress.
vi) The Sultan was again forced to promise fair treatment to non-Moslems. Britain was given Cyprus to bring her closer to Turkey and remind the sultan incase he forgets to treat his Christian subjects fairly. The big powers also promised to send European consuls to ensure fair treatment of non- Moslems. These brought some period of relative calm at least in the short-run. However, in spite of all these measures, the Sultan and Moslems continued persecuting and slaughtering Christians. This brought rebellions such as in 1885.and 1906 that threatened peace in
Europe. Besides, European powers never sent consuls to ensure fair treatment of non-Moslems and Christians.
vii) The Berlin treaty nullified the Sanstefeno treaty that was forged by Russia. The big Bulgaria was dissected (divided) into three. The Northern Bulgaria or small Bulgaria that was given independence. The Central Bulgaria was given to a Christian governor who was under the direct political and military authority of the sultan and the Southern Bulgaria that was given back to the Sultan. These eliminated Russian imperialism in the Balkans and temporarily ended the eastern question.
However in 1885, the dissected Bulgaria re-united once more in a big state. This was a big blow to the Berlin congress and yet no great power intervened to defend the Berlin Settlement. This was because the re-united Bulgaria of 1885 was without Russian influence unlike the one of 1878. In 1878, the big powers almost fought Russia to reduce Bulgaria while in 1885 they all agreed to support Bulgaria because Russia had no influence. This explains the paradox of the 19th Century imperialism in the Balkans.
viii) The congress was a great diplomatic achievement for Germany and a humiliation for France that was Germany's enemy. It was hosted and chaired by Bismarck, which increased German's supremacy and Bismarck's significance in European politics. This became a source of prestige to
Germany and left France isolated although for a short time.
ix) Russian influence and imperialism in the Balkans was checked and reduced. She lost her control in the big Bulgaria and the Balkans. Bosnia and Herzegovina that initially belonged to Russia were given to Austria which made her (Russia) a permanent enemy of Austria. This also made Russia to halt her imperialism in Europe and embark on Empire building in Asia. However, Russian imperialism bounced back in the form of Panslavinism that created instability in Europe between 1908-1914.
x) Bismarck's biasness against Russia made it impossible to renew the Dreikaiserbund which ended the three emperor's league. Russia went to Berlin with hopes that Bismarck would back her according to the Drickaiserbund of 1873. Russia was also counting on German's support because she had prevented Austria from assisting France in the Franco-Prussian war. However, Russia was very disgusted when Bismarck turned round and supported Britain and Austria against her claims in the Balkans. This provided chance for a Franco - Russian alliance that ended the isolation of France and opened way for alliance system that caused the First World War.
On the other hand, Bismarck in a bid to consolidate Austria's friendship formed the dual alliance between Germany and Austria. Austria was grateful to Bismarck's support at Berlin and that is partly why she paid Bismarck back by formalizing the dual alliance.
The Berlin congress elevated German's status in Europe and created a political stigma of arrogance in the Germans and their King Kaiser William I!. It also brought Germany closer to the Balkans and increased her ambitions in the Balkans. This was partly responsible for German aggression and partly explains why Germany intervened in the Austro-Serbian conflict that triggered the First World War.
xii) Lastly, the Berlin congress failed to create a lasting peace in Europe. Tension continued to exist in Europe in spite of the terms of the settlement that were geared towards peace. Besides, unrealistic terms like subjecting smaller nationalities like Serbians and Montenegrenes to Austrian control triggered a wave of political instability in the Balkans that exploded into the First World War.
NB: One can argue that the Berlin congress and the 1856 Paris treaty escalated tension in the
Balkans and made it a storm centre for the explosion of World War I. The eastern question was treated as the Russian foreign minister once remarked;
....there are two ways of dealing with the Eastern Question. First, a complete
reconstruction, second, a mere re-plastering which would keep matters together for
another term of years. No one would wish for a complete settlement. Everyone must wish
to put it off as long as possible.
It's true that the European powers preferred "re-plastering" and treating the effects other than causes of Turkish sickness. This worsened Turkish sickness and made European powers to continue interfering within the Empire, which caused tension and World War 1. Thus, the Berlin congress did not provide a permanent and lasting solution to the eastern question and left it as a question for a violent answer between 1914-1918.
All in all, the 1878 Berlin congress had positive and negative consequences in the social, political and economic developments of Europe. Its impact was more positive in the short run than in the long run. This is because it brewed more conflicts that climaxed into World War I.
NB: The Berlin congress was the 4th and last stage of the Eastern Question.