| The Great Powers gathered in Berlin, drawing up | | | | Turks sued for peace, signing the Treaty of San |
| a memorandum in which they renewed their initial | | | | Stefano. The Treaty of San Stefano created the |
| demands and threatened action if improvements | | | | large autonomous state of Bulgaria, confirmed the |
| were not forthcoming. However, because of | | | | independence of Rumania, Serbia and Montenegro |
| British fears of Russia's intentions they refused to | | | | and granted territorial gains to Serbia and |
| sign the Berlin Memorandum which encouraged | | | | Montenegro. Britain viewed its suspicions as |
| the Turks to increase their repressive measures. | | | | proven by the existence of Bulgaria which it |
| But the Turks pushed the boat too far when one | | | | believed would prove to be a Russian satellite. |
| of their irregular armies, the Bashi-Bazouks | | | | Britain with backing from Austria pressured Russia |
| committed massacres in Bulgaria, the British | | | | into accepting the Treaty to being reviewed at |
| withdrew all support. | | | | the Congress of Berlin, 1878. Presided over by |
| Russia was given free reign and it took it, | | | | Bismarck, it decided that Bulgaria was to be split |
| attacking Turkey and initially sweeping all before | | | | up, parts being returned to Turkey, Britain |
| them before been held at Plevna. Sympathy in | | | | annexed Cyprus, Russia annexed South |
| Britain swung back in favour of the Turks and for | | | | Bessarabia and Austria occupied and administered |
| a time, a conflict between Russia and Britain | | | | Bosnia-Herzegovina. |
| looked to be on the cards but the Russians and | | | | |