WAR CLOUDS OVER THE BALKANS

How did Serbia emerge from the Balkan Wars of 1912-13 as the largest and most powerful of the Balkan nations?

FOCUSING QUESTION

In 1912, with Russian encouragement, the states of Serbia, Greece, Bulgaria and Montenegro formed an alliance named the Balkan League.

THE BALKAN LEAGUE

Took its new combined armed forces and attacked Turkey. In just seven weeks Turkey was driven out Europe.

A stunned Austria watched as Serbia became the largest Balkan state. Austria generals wanted to attack Serbia but could not risk an alliance chain event.

THE NEWLY FORMED LEAGUE…

If Austria attacks Serbia hen Russia would attack Austria. Germany would back its ally Austria and attack Russia. An attack on Russia would cause France to fight Germany and Austria to protect its ally. If France joined, Britain would likely follow suit.

Nobody wanted a European war so…

THE CHAIN EVENT

The London peace conference was called to help spilt up the new Balkan land. Austria-Hungary used this conference to create Albania in order to block Serbia's access to coastline.

A PEACE CONFERENCE

NEW MAP

A month after the conference the Balkan League was fighting over the new land.

Bulgaria fought with Serbia and Greece over the number of Bulgarians living in other territories.

In June of 1913, Bulgaria attacked the former allies. Turkey saw this as an opportunity, and joined the fight with Bulgaria against the Balkan League.

Bulgaria was defeated and in the treaty of Bucharest, lost nearly all of the land won in the first war.

SECOND BALKAN WAR

FINAL MAP

The Austro-Serbian relationship took another hit. Due to Austria, Serbia had been cut off for the sea by Albania.

The Serbians continued to demand Slavic unity, with six million Serbs and Croats still under Austrian rule, attacks against Austria were openly applauded.

Meanwhile, Austria saw Serbia double it size and become a formidable military power. This increasing threat needed to be dealt with.

LEGACY: AUSTRO-SERBIAN

Turkey regained some land and prestige. Despite a reduced role in Europe, and controlling an area that was essentially Turkish already, Turkey looked to the future for possible opportunity.

LEGACY: TURKEY

The league and war created a changing landscape. From pushing Turkey out up to Bulgaria handing over its gains to Greece and Serbia.

The Balkan states saw the Treaty of Bucharest as a semi-permanent solution to a much larger issue.

LEGACY: BALKAN STATES

MilitarismSerbia increases its military power.

AlliancesThe Balkan league formed,The web of alliances caused a lack of action

Imperialism The Turkish empire continues to crumble

NationalismThe Balkan nations establish themselvesAlbania formedBulgaria fights for displaced populace.

M.A.I.N POINTS

Name the Countries that made-up the Balkans League.

The first Balkan War 1912:Detail the events of October 1912List the results of an attack on Turkey Explain why an attack on Serbia by Austria would be so catastrophic for Europe.

ACTIVITIES

London Peace conference 1912List what was decided and why it led to more bitterness between Serbia and Austria.

Second Balkan War 1913Explain why a second war broke outTreaty of Bucharest 1913List details from resources B pg. 35

ACTIVITIES

Legacy of Balkan Wars:Summarise pg. 34-35 in "road to Sarajevo”Complete questions 1,2,3 & 4. of resource A

TASK FOUR