Condition of the Balkans –

late 1800s

• Key developments in Balkan history• Why and in what ways did the Balkans

become the explosive mix that would led to world war?

What is the “Balkans?”

A geographical region:

AlbaniaBosniaBulgariaCroatiaParts of GreeceKosovoMacedoniaMontenegroSerbiaSloveniaEuropean part of Turkey

The Balkan Peninsula

The Balkans = control by the Ottoman Empire (Turkey)

Who cares about the Balkans? Why?

Russia: Needs a warm water portCrimean Peninsula

Dardanelles Strait

Slavic ethnicity

Russians are Slavs. They are traditionally sympathic to the Slavic cause – independence from the Ottoman Turks, and Austria.

European Powers are fearful that Russian influence in the Balkans includes closing the passageway from the Black Sea to the Mediterranean Sea to European shipping.

Serbia – independence from Ottomans in 1804,much trouble with Turks follows, and Russia steps in to help Serbia maintain its sovereignty.

Serbs begin to build the idea of “Yugo-Slavism” – a section of the Balkans controlled by Slavic people.

Yugo = southern

A.k.a. “Pan-slavism”

Ottoman Empire – the “sick man” of Europe. (N2 of Russia) – an empire going down…

Slavs include:

SerbsCroatsSlovenesBulgariansBosniansMacedoniansMontenegrons

All these groups have issues with Turkey (Ottoman Empire) and territorial issues with each other.

Pile on top of that the European Powers’ interests in the Balkans and the crises there become a “dress rehearsal for WWI.”

You can see that Pan-slavism will be successful in establishing a “Yugoslavia.” The Soviet Union will take it and make it into a “Soviet satellite nation” after WW2.

EUROPE

TODAY

FINAL

EXAM

Balkan Crisis #1 1874 – Bosnia & Herzogovenia rebel against Turkish rule.

Serbia & Russia supports B & H. (Pan-slavism) Britain supports O.E. (because of her need to keep the straits open) Serbia declares war on O.M. and fights for four years. Turkey sues for peace.

Peace Conference – hosted by OVB – called the “Congress of Berlin” (OVB wants to make sure Russia does not gain power in the Balkans.)

Britain secures control of Constantinople

Bosnia is given to A/H (light control - friends with Germany)

Russia promises to never help Serbia again.

***1879 – Russia & Germany have a falling out and the 3 Emperor’s League is doomed.***

***1879 = Dual Alliance. (Germany & A-H)

***1882 = Triple Alliance (Germany, A-H, & Italy)

Balkan Crisis #2 1885 = war between Bulgaria and Serbia.

Russia threatens to occupy Bulgaria (to help Serbia) and Austria and Germany threaten Russia.

Russia looks to France for money to improve its military and infrastructure. Budding relationship.

By the 1890s the Ottoman Empire has lost over ½ of its Empire to nationalists. (Serbia Bulgaria, Bosnia)

1908 – Bosnian Crisis – dress rehearsal for WWI

Rebellion in Bosnia for full autonomy prompts A-H to crack down on amount of control it has over the government – textbooks call this “full annexation.”

** A-H was under the control of two diplomats who were intent on shoring up the declining power of A-H. (The O.M. is being threatened by the “Young Turk” movement and A-H senses easy gains from this crumbling empire.)

Serbia is furious and asks Russia for help in fighting A-H. Serbia believes that A-H is now out to take over its country.

Nicholas II asks France & Britain for help. No go. (Britain is suspicious of Russia’s designs on the Dardanelles region.)

A-H presses Germany for a statement of support in case of war with Serbia and got reassurance of complete support, if needed.

Russia does not help. In fact, Russia signs an agreement with A-H recognizing Austria’s increased control of Bosnia. Russia is humiliated and resentful and has now let the Serbs down a 2nd time. Ouch.

Notice the international relationships that are developing. Germany is getting involved in Austria’s affairs in the Balkans. This is now becoming called the “Eastern Question.”

Why is Austria/Hungary doing this to Serbs in Bosnia/Herzogovinia?

To re-establish their declining power base and to prove that they are still a SuperPower to be reckoned with.

Austria is emboldened in its actions in the Balkans and Serbs are even more nationalistic. Think the “Black Hand.”

Major Point:Russia is humiliated and resentful over being thwarted by

Austria and Germany.

June 28,

1914

The Balkan Wars (not the same thing as crises.)

1st Balkan War = October 1912 - Turkey is driven out of its European geographic regions. Tensions between the victors over territory, especially a coast on the Adriatic Sea.

**Austria-Hungary is threatened by all this nationalism.

2nd Balkan War = 1913 - Bulgaria vs. Serbia & Greece over territory. Bulgaria is outnumbered and loses. Makes peace with Serbia and Greece, but anger persists.

“The Balkan League against the tyrant.”

War #1 = Serbia, Bulgaria, Montenegro & Greece vs. the Ottoman Empire

War #2 = War between the friends. Germany & UK step in to stop the war. Russia has failed Serbia again and Germany thinks the UK is its friend.

A.J.P. Taylor: “The victory for Balkan nationalism was a disaster beyond

remedy for the Habsberg monarchy. Turkey being pulled apart by the

Balkan “wolves.” Is Austria next????

Responses to increased tension, 1912:

France pulls closer to Russia/less likely to reign Russia in

France seeks closer military ties with Russia

President Poincare promises military aid if Germany or A-H attacks Russia.

Germany increases its military significantly and assures A-H that Germany has its back. KW2: “You can be certain that I stand behind you and am ready to draw the sword whenever your action makes it necessary. Whatever comes from Vienna is for me a command.”

Franco-Russia = tight. Austro-German = tight. At least with the diplomats. The public does not want war over anything.

Serbia = feeling powerful.

A-H and Russia smarting and feeling humiliated. Cannot take any more blows.

UK and Italy = who knows? Their attitudes and loyalties are uncertain.

Commentary The balance of power of 1870 has changed

considerably. Five powers equally balanced have become two tight alliances.

The super-powers will support their smaller “brothers.” This allows the smaller brothers to act recklessly – knowing that a more powerful country will come in and help them.

War is becoming more acceptable on these terms.

1912 – Serbia. Members of the Balkan League.

I, in joining the organisation "Union or Death", swear by the Sun that warms me, by the Earth that nourishes me, before God, by the blood of the ancestors, on my honour and on my life, that I will from this moment until my death be faithful to the laws of this organisation; and that I will always be ready to make any sacrifice for it.I swear before God, on my honour and on my life, that I will take all the secrets of this organisation into my grave with me.

How dared Franz Ferdinand, not only the representative of the oppressor but in his own person an arrogant tyrant, enter Sarajevo on that day? Such an entry was a studied insult. 28 June is a date engraved deeply in the heart of every Serb, so that day has a name of its own. It is called vidounan. It is the day on which the old Serbian kingdom was conquered by the Turks at the battle of Amselfelde in 1389. That was no day for Franz Ferdinand, the new oppressor, to venture to the very doors of Serbia for a display of the force of arms which kept us beneath his heel. Our decision was taken almost immediately. Death to the tyrant!

Oath – the Black Hand

A telegram, sent between members of the Black Hand. Zagreb to Belgrade, regarding the planned visit of Franz Ferdinand.

Is nationalism a force for good?How can nationalism be damaging or harmful?