The Crisis in the Balkans

The Crisis in the Balkans (1908-1909) - 'Eastern Question'

There were concerns that a collapse of the Ottoman Empire in the Balkans could cause tension between Russia and Austria-Hungary. This was the ‘Eastern Question’.

Slav Nationalism

Nationalism means ‘a sense of national consciousness’.
Most of the Serbian and Russian populations were Slav. This meant that the two had a natural bond and similar patriotic feeling.
But, Serbia was still part of the Ottoman Empire.

Austria-Hungary and Balkan Nationalism

Austria-Hungary saw Slavs (often found in Serbian and Russia) as an inferior (worse) race.
Austria-Hungary opposed Balkan nationalism because it had many Slavic people in its own empire and they might want to break away too.
- Some Slavs carried out acts of terrorism against Austria-Hungary.

Road to crisis

With the backing of Germany, Austria-Hungary felt confident to move on Serbia.
Austro-Hungarian politicians wanted to shut down the threat of Slav nationalism and make an example of Serbia.

The Crisis in the Balkans (1908-1909) - Climax

The crisis came to a climax involving many European powers.

The crisis

Austria-Hungary and Russia agreed to support each other’s claims on Balkan areas.
But Austria-Hungary entered Bosnia-Herzegovina without Russian approval.
Serbia and Montenegro reacted by preparing for war against Austria-Hungary.

The crisis

In support of the Slavs, Russia supported the actions of Serbia and Montenegro.
Austria-Hungary annexed (stole) Bosnia and Herzegovina, sparking outrage from the Slav peoples.
Serbia wanted to go to war with Austria-Hungary, but it needed Russia’s support. Russia would not go to war because Germany said it would support Austria-Hungary.

Conclusion

Austria-Hungary paid compensation to the Ottomans for taking Bosnia-Herzegovina and that seemed to be the end of the matter.
But, both Serbia and Russia were determined to win the next dispute.

1The Causes of the First World War

1.1The Alliance System

1.1.1The Threat of Germany & The Triple Alliance

1.1.2The Franco-Russian Alliance & the 'Entente'

1.1.3End of Topic Test - The Alliance System

1.2Crisis in Morocco and the Balkans

1.2.1The Crisis in Morocco

1.2.2The Crisis in the Balkans

1.2.3The Balkan Wars

1.2.4Impact on International Relations

1.2.5End of Topic Test - Morocco & the Balklans

1.3Anglo-German Rivalry

1.3.1Britain & Splendid Isolation

1.3.2Kaiser Wilhelm II's Foreign Policy

1.3.3European Rearmament

1.3.4End of Topic Test - Anglo-German Rivalry

1.4Outbreak of War

1.4.1Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

1.4.2The July Crisis

1.4.3The Schlieffen Plan and Belgium

1.4.4Reasons for the Outbreak of Hostilities

1.4.5End of Topic Test - Outbreak of War

2The First World War: Stalemate

2.1The Schlieffen Plan

2.1.1Reasons Behind the Schlieffen Plan & its Failure

2.1.2Stalemate

2.1.3End of Topic Test - The Schlieffen Plan

2.2The Western Front

2.2.1Technology

2.2.2Military Tactics

2.2.3The War of Attrition (1915-1916)

2.2.4The War of Attrition (1917)

2.2.5End of Topic Test - The Western Front

2.3The Wider War

2.3.1The War at Sea

2.3.2The War in the Air

2.3.3Other Theatres

2.3.4End of Topic Test - Wider War

3Ending the War

3.1Changes in the Allied Forces

3.1.1The Bolshevik Revolution

3.1.2Reasons for the Entry of the USA

3.1.3The Impact of US Entry on the War

3.1.4End of Topic Test - Changes in the Allied Forces

3.2Military Developments in 1918

3.2.1Tactics & Technology

3.2.2Ludendorff & the German Spring Offensive

3.2.3The Allied Advance During The Hundred Days

3.3Germany Surrenders

3.3.1The Impact of the Naval Blockade

3.3.2Abdication of the Kaiser

3.3.3Armistice

3.3.4The Contribution of Haig and Foch

3.3.5End of Topic Test - Developments & Surrender

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