2014-10-17 BALKAN NATIONALISM Role in Starting WWl THE BALKANS 1 2014-10-17 CAUGHT IN THE CROSSROADS Russia Austria-Hungary Ottoman Turks These three European powers want to extend their influence into the region – potential for trouble. BALKAN WARS In 1912 the Balkan nations of Serbia, Greece ,Bulgaria and Montenegro formed an association known as the Balkan League. Purpose was to push the Ottoman Turks out of the region and acquire new lands and people for their respective countries. 2 2014-10-17 1ST BALKAN WAR – OCT.1912 Members of the Balkan League launched a coordinated attack against the Ottoman Turks. Conflict lasted 7 months and resulted in the end of Turkish influence in the region. Balkan League members gained territory. 3 2014-10-17 2ND BALKAN WAR: JUNE-JULY ,1913 Bulgaria attacked its former allies – Greece and Serbia. Bulgaria felt that it did not get its fair share of territory following the 1st Balkan war. Montenegro , Romania and the Ottoman Turks later intervened against Bulgaria. RESULTS Territorial boundaries changed once again without satisfying any of the participants, especially Bulgaria. 4 2014-10-17 IMPACT ON MAJOR EUROPEAN POWERS Traditional alliances that existed were disrupted – the close ties that existed between Russia and the Balkan nations as a result of Pan-Slavism were upset. This allowed the Austro-Hungarians and the Turks to gain support in the region once again. 5 2014-10-17 NEW SITUATION Serbia becomes the only nation in the region that still has a close connection to Russia. This is unfortunate for Russia because they wish to increase their influence in the region because of the strategic importance of the Dardanelles ( body of water that allows Russia to access the Mediterranean Sea). 6 2014-10-17 Bulgaria, angry over the results of the 2nd Balkan war, moves towards a closer relationship with the Austro-Hungarians. Given this situation the A/Hs feel that they no longer have to sit back and watch Serbian influence in the region grow. 7 2014-10-17 BIG PICTURE The Balkan nations are now indirectly connected to the two rival alliance systems: Serbia is connected to the Triple Entente via Russia Bulgaria is connected to the Triple Alliance via Austria-Hungary A dispute in the Balkans now has the potential to drag the major European Powers and their colonies into a bigger conflict. Tension between Serbia and Austria- Hungary over the disputed province of Bosnia-Herzgovinia will provide this opportunity 8 2014-10-17 JULY CRISIS - 1914 An event in the Balkans that results from ethnic-nationalism and directly leads to the triggering of the military alliances that have come to dominate Europe. 9 2014-10-17 ISSUE Region known as Bosnia-Herzgovinia which was annexed by A/H in 1908. Most of the population are ethnic Serbs and for that reason the government of Serbia wished to incorporate it into a greater Serbian nation. 10 2014-10-17 TIMELINE June 28 – Archduke Franz Ferdinand, and his wife, are assassinated in the Bosnian city of Sarajevo by a Serb nationalist – Gavrilo Princip. Princip is a member of a Serb nationalist / terrorist group known as the Black Hand. THE SHOOTING 11 2014-10-17 THE SHOOTER THE VICTIMS 12 2014-10-17 JULY 5 Germany issues the “Blank Cheque” to Austria-Hungary. JULY 23 A/H delivers an ultimatum to Serbia – they have 48 hours to agree to the terms. Deal breaker: 6. Bring to trial all accessories to the Archduke's assassination and allow "Austro-Hungarian delegates" (law enforcement officers) to take part in the investigations 13 2014-10-17 JULY 25 A/H mobilizes troops along the Serbian border after the Serbs refuse the ultimatum. JULY 30-31 Russia begins to mobilize its forces 14 2014-10-17 JULY 31 Austria begins general mobilization of troops. AUGUST 1 Germany begins general mobilization and declares war on Russia. 15 2014-10-17 AUGUST 3 Germany declares war on France – necessary due to the German adaptation of the Schlieffen Plan and the exact timetable that it was based on. They could not afford to wait while Russian mobilization was taking place. 16 2014-10-17 Germany proceeded to invade France via Belgium. AUGUST 4 France declares war on Germany. Britain sends Germany an ultimatum to withdraw from Belgium – Germany refuses and WW1 begins. 17 2014-10-17 BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY, SIR EDWARD GREY “The lights are going out all over Europe, we shall not see them lit again in our lifetime.” 18 .