Explain how the events in the Balkans in the year 1908-1914 lead to war among the Balkans state.
The events in the Balkans from 1908 to 1914 set the stage for conflict and eventually led to war among the Balkan states. Here is an explanation of the key events:
1. The Young Turk Revolution (1908): In 1908, the Young Turk Revolution took place in the Ottoman Empire. This revolution aimed to restore the constitution and establish a parliamentary form of government. However, this event led to a significant change in the balance of power in the Balkans.
2. Austro-Hungarian Annexation of Bosnia-Herzegovina (1908): Taking advantage of the internal strife in the Ottoman Empire, Austria-Hungary annexed Bosnia-Herzegovina in 1908. This move was met with strong opposition from Serbia, as they considered the territory vital for their aspirations of creating a Greater Serbia.
3. Ethnic Tensions and Nationalism: The Balkans were a region comprising various ethnicities and nationalities, including Serbs, Croats, Bosnians, Albanians, Bulgarians, and Greeks. These diverse groups often had conflicting aspirations and fervently nurtured a sense of nationalism, fueling tensions between different states. Serbs sought to unite all South Slavic peoples, creating Greater Serbia, while Bulgaria and Greece also had territorial claims.
4. Balkan Wars (1912-1913): In 1912, the First Balkan War erupted when Serbia, Bulgaria, Greece, and Montenegro formed an alliance against the weakening Ottoman Empire to liberate their fellow ethnic kinsmen under Ottoman rule. They quickly achieved successes, defeating the Ottoman forces and vastly expanding their territories. However, disputes over the spoils of war caused conflicts among the allies, leading to the Second Balkan War in 1913.
5. Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand (1914): The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary in June 1914 in Sarajevo (Bosnia-Herzegovina) by a Bosnian Serb nationalist, Gavrilo Princip, set in motion a series of events that eventually led to World War I. Austria-Hungary blamed Serbia for the assassination, sparking a diplomatic crisis and culminating in a call to arms, ultimately leading to the First World War.
The combination of ethnic tensions, nationalist aspirations, territorial disputes, and the influence of external powers like Austria-Hungary all contributed to heightened tensions within the Balkans. The events from 1908 to 1914 acted as catalysts, creating a volatile environment that eventually erupted into full-scale war among the Balkan states.
The events in the Balkans between 1908 and 1914 played a crucial role in escalating tensions and eventually leading to war among the Balkan states. Here is a step-by-step explanation of these events:
1. 1908: Austro-Hungarian Annexation of Bosnia-Herzegovina:
- In 1908, Austria-Hungary annexed Bosnia-Herzegovina, which had been under the nominal control of the Ottoman Empire.
- This annexation angered Serbia, as it had hoped to include Bosnia in a future Greater Serbia.
2. Increase in Serbian Nationalism:
- Following the annexation, Serbian nationalism intensified, particularly among the military and the Black Hand, a secret nationalist organization.
- Serbia sought to free and unite all Serbs living in the Balkans, leading to a rise in irredentist sentiments.
3. Formation of the Balkan League:
- In 1912, Serbia, Bulgaria, Greece, and Montenegro formed the Balkan League, primarily to challenge and dislodge Ottoman control in the region.
- They aimed to redistribute Ottoman territories, particularly in Macedonia.
4. First Balkan War (1912-1913):
- The Balkan League launched a coordinated military campaign against the Ottoman Empire, resulting in significant territorial gains.
- However, conflicts over the division of spoils, particularly between Bulgaria and Serbia, arose as the war progressed.
- The Treaty of London (1913) attempted to redraw borders, but it sparked tensions and set the stage for further conflicts.
5. Second Balkan War (1913):
- Tensions from the First Balkan War culminated in the Second Balkan War, as Bulgaria saw its territorial gains reduced due to disputes with the other league members.
- Bulgaria launched an offensive against Serbia and Greece, but they quickly retaliated, leading to Bulgaria's defeat and further territorial losses.
- The Treaty of Bucharest (1913) ended the war but left lingering resentment between the participating states.
6. Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand:
- On June 28, 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary was assassinated by a Bosnian Serb nationalist belonging to the Black Hand.
- This assassination in Sarajevo triggered a series of diplomatic crises, eventually leading to World War I.
7. Austro-Hungarian Ultimatum and Serbian Response:
- Austria-Hungary saw the assassination as a chance to suppress Serbian nationalism and issued an ultimatum to Serbia, demanding a full investigation and control over Serbian institutions.
- Serbia rejected certain demands, leading Austria-Hungary to declare war on Serbia on July 28, 1914.
In summary, the events in the Balkans from 1908 to 1914, including territorial disputes, nationalist movements, and the series of Balkan Wars, gradually increased tensions among the Balkan states, especially between Serbia and Austria-Hungary. The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand acted as a catalyst, triggering a chain of events that eventually led to the outbreak of World War I.