The Reflection of the Uprising in Bosnia and Herzegovina from 1875-1878 on Economic Conditions in Croatia

The eastern crisis between 1875-1878, caused by the uprising in Bosnia and Herzegovina, had a strong influence on economic and political relations in Europe. It had an especially bad effect on Austria-Hungary and its trade with Turkey, Bosnia and Herzegovina, because of their geopolitical position, were very important for Austria-Hungary, and especially for the Croatian banovina (and Dalmatia). The regions in revolt cut into Croatia like a wedge, used the Adriatic ports, the navigable Sava and Neretva rivers, and railways from Croatia. During the uprising trade with Bosnia and lands under the Turks ceased, and so did the transit of goods. This was a catastrophe for Croatia in particular, and caused the impoverishment and decline of ports and trading towns near the fronitier, bringing many merchants to bankrupcy. For these reasons Austro-Hungarian merchant companies and individuals, and especially Croatian merchants, demanded an end of the uprising as soon as possible. They also demanded the annextion of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the Habsburg Monarchy, which would enable their greater economic development and make it possible for them to use the rich reserves of raw materials in these regions. Most Croatian politicians also demanded the annexation of these regions to Austria-Hungary. They thought that they would thus be directly connected to Croatia. But it must be stressed that it was in the first place economic, and not political or national reasons, which forced the Croatian bourgeoisie to demand a final solution of the eastern question and the annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. During the three year long Bosnian and Herzegovinian rebellion from 1875-1878 it was seen how much these two regions were geographically oriented towards Croatia and economically tied to her