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... the Ottoman Empire had been in decline. (The Ottoman Empire) After France's defeat previously Russia was now considered the biggest threat to the balance of power in Europe. It had great military power due to the seemingly unlimited supply of peasant conscripts to its armed services. The weak Ottoman Empire was always being watched by Russia who was continuously pushing its boundaries Southwards towards Constantinople and the Straits. Russia was hoping to gain land and access through the Black Sea into the Mediterranean.Britain feared that if this occurred Russia would be able to threaten British trade and naval dominance in that area and also its important trade routes to India. Britain was not committed to maintaining the Empire but did not want to see it fall to Russia, however it was in the best interests for Austria to strengthen the Ottoman Empire as it was a useful buffer against Russian ...