REASONS WHY THE CONGRESS WAS CALLED/AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

1. To revise the San Stefano treaty that Russia had imposed on Turkey in March 1878. The big powers wanted to dismantle the big Bulgaria that was created by Russia.
2. To stop Russian imperialism that had made her dominant in the Ottoman Empire. For instance, the San Stefano treaty had given Russia control over Bessarabia and Bulgaria.
3. The congress was also to settle territorial disputes that were a source of tension amongst the European powers. Territorial conflicts were mainly between Russia, Turkey and Austria in the
Balkans.
4. Commercial rivalry between Russia and Britain/was also a source of concern to the Berlin congressmen. Disraeli the British Prime Minister had threatened to declare war against Russia to protect the British trade zones in the Black and Mediterranean Seas. These trade zones were being threatened by Russian imperialism and growing influence within the Ottoman Empire.
5. To save the Ottoman Empire from disintegration Britain wanted the Ottoman Empire to survive as a check to Russian imperialism that was a threat to her trade zones in the Balkans. Austria that shared some Slav nationalities with Turkey wanted the existence of Turkey because its disintegration would trigger Slav nationalism within her Empire and break her own Empire into pieces.
6. To reform his administration and end religious persecution that had always given Russia chance to intervene and interfere in the Balkans. This was also a source of instability in the Balkans and the whole continent.
7. The congress was also called to address the fate of those nationalities who were struggling for independence. Such were the Balkan states of Serbia, Montenegro, Bulgaria, Romania etc. who wanted to free themselves from Turkish exploitative and oppressive administration.
8. Bismarck as a man of peace wanted to avoid war and maintain peace in Europe. Britain and France were on the verge of fighting Russia for her illegal action that had led to the creation of the Big Bulgaria. Bismarck feared that war would hinder the prosperity of the German Empire and give France chance to secure alliance in Europe. He also wanted to become an international broker and consolidate German supremacy. These fears and considerations is what made Bismarck to host the congress.