Explain how the events in the Balkans in the 1908_1914 lead to (a) war among the Balkans state. (b) the outbreak of the first world war
The events in the Balkans between 1908 and 1914 played a significant role in both the outbreak of war among the Balkan states and the subsequent eruption of the First World War. These events can be summarized as follows:
(a) War among the Balkans states:
1. Annexation of Bosnia-Herzegovina: In 1908, Austria-Hungary annexed Bosnia-Herzegovina, which had previously been under the administration of the Ottoman Empire. This move was strongly opposed by Serbia, as it had been eyeing the annexed territory for its own expansion, aiming to unite all South Slavic people under its rule.
2. Balkan wars: In the aftermath of the annexation, a series of conflicts erupted in the Balkans. In 1912, Serbia, Montenegro, Bulgaria, and Greece formed the Balkan League to liberate regions with large populations of ethnic Slavs from Ottoman rule. They successfully drove the Ottomans out from most of the region, except for Albania and certain territories.
3. Division of the spoils: A division of territories among the victors led to territorial disputes and increasing tensions within the Balkan League. The second Balkan War broke out in 1913 when Bulgaria, dissatisfied with its share, attacked its former allies Serbia and Greece. This conflict resulted in Bulgaria's territorial losses, leaving unresolved tensions and rivalries among the Balkan states.
(b) Outbreak of the First World War:
1. Austria-Hungary's response: In June 1914, the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, by a Bosnian Serb nationalist in Sarajevo, ignited a crisis. Austria-Hungary held Serbia responsible for the assassination and issued an ultimatum with strict demands. When Serbia failed to meet all requirements, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia in July 1914.
2. Creation of alliances: The alliances formed in the Balkan Wars significantly impacted the outbreak of the First World War. Serbia, as the target of Austrian aggression, sought assistance from its ally Russia, leading to the formation of the Serbia-Russia alliance. Austria-Hungary had the support of Germany, while Russia had an alliance with France, and soon, these alliances snowballed into larger conflict with European powers choosing sides.
3. The domino effect: The war between Austria-Hungary and Serbia rapidly escalated to a full-scale war in Europe. As a result of the intricate system of alliances, when Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, a chain reaction was triggered. Russia, France, and Britain joined forces against Austria-Hungary and Germany, leading to a broader conflict that eventually involved multiple nations, leading to the First World War.
In summary, the Balkan events from 1908 to 1914 created territorial disputes, rivalries, and tensions among the Balkan states, which ultimately led to war between them. These conflicts, coupled with the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, sparked a chain reaction among the existing alliances, causing the outbreak of the First World War.
(a) The events in the Balkans between 1908 and 1914 set the stage for a war among the Balkan states. Here is a step-by-step breakdown of those events:
1. The Young Turk Revolution (1908): The Young Turks, a reformist group, overthrew the ruling Sultan of the Ottoman Empire. This led to an increase in nationalism and aspirations for independence within the various ethnic groups in the Balkans, who were under Ottoman rule.
2. Annexation of Bosnia-Herzegovina (1908): In response to the Young Turk Revolution, Austria-Hungary took advantage of the Ottoman Empire's weakened state and annexed Bosnia-Herzegovina. This outraged Serbia, which saw the annexation as a threat to its goal of unifying all South Slavic nations.
3. Balkan Wars (1912-1913): The tension caused by the annexation of Bosnia-Herzegovina and rising nationalism led to a series of conflicts known as the Balkan Wars. The Balkan states, including Serbia, Montenegro, Greece, and Bulgaria, formed an alliance to challenge the weakening Ottoman Empire. They successfully captured large territories from the Ottomans but fought amongst themselves over the distribution of the territories gained, particularly regarding Macedonia.
4. Second Balkan War (1913): The alliance formed during the first Balkan War fell apart due to territorial disputes. Bulgaria felt betrayed by its former allies, Serbia and Greece, and launched an attack against them. This resulted in a short but intense conflict, which ended with Bulgaria losing much of the territory it had gained in the First Balkan War.
(b) The events in the Balkans between 1908 and 1914 also contributed to the outbreak of the First World War. Here is a step-by-step breakdown of those events:
1. Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand (June 28, 1914): In the city of Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Gavrilo Princip, a member of the Serbian nationalist group called the Black Hand, assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary. This event sparked a major international crisis.
2. Austria-Hungary's Ultimatum to Serbia (July 23, 1914): Austria-Hungary, blaming Serbia for the assassination, issued an ultimatum demanding Serbia's agreement to a series of conditions. Serbia accepted most of the demands but questioned some, leading to Austria-Hungary declaring war on Serbia.
3. Chain Reaction of Alliances (July-August 1914): The interlocking system of alliances between European powers further complicated the situation. Russia, having a historical connection with Serbia, mobilized its forces in support of Serbia, leading Germany to declare war on Russia and its ally, France. This set off a chain reaction of alliances, with various countries joining the conflict on different sides.
4. Escalation into a Global Conflict: As the war spread, countries such as Britain, Italy, Turkey, and the United States became involved, transforming the initially localized conflict into a global war. The complex web of alliances, rising nationalism, and unresolved territorial disputes in the Balkans contributed significantly to the outbreak of the First World War.
It is important to note that while the events in the Balkans set the stage for war, other factors such as imperialism, militarism, and rivalries among major powers also played significant roles in the outbreak of the First World War.